Page 94 of Villainous Kingpin

Pulling my thoughts from that dark day, I focused on now and the things Icouldfix.

“Violating the rules is a sure way to get us kicked out of the Syndicate,” I finally said, leaving the past where it belonged. In the fucking past. “And that’ll leave Emory vulnerable. Wynter too. The only way to protect them is to take over the seats of our fathers in the Syndicate.”

A hot summer breeze swept through the large backyard, and memories of my time with Wynter at the beach a reluctant memory. I could almost smell her suntan lotion, hear her laughter, imagine her eyes shining with that mischievous gleam in her eyes.

I’d find her, if it was the last thing I’ve done before I took my last breath.

It was the only hope I held now.

CHAPTER35

Wynter

Aweek until Christmas.

Six months since the last time I saw him.

Uncle Liam, Davina, Juliette, Ivy, and I were in Portugal. I needed some time alone, so I’d told them all I’d meet them at their house. Uncle insisted we stay in the hotel. Probably because he wanted privacy with Davina.

I was happy for them. I really was. Except it was such a painful reminder of the short time I had something similar. Regardless if it was real or fake. God, it felt real. My heart believed it was real.

Rather than letting my mind wander back to the past, I flipped through the channels again. Figure skating coverage was just as intense here as it was in the States. And somehow I kept landing on Derek’s and my number.

My failure, Mother called it. Her critique was right, and I blamed myself even more than my coach ever could.

Third place. They called it a disgrace for the ice princess. I fucking hated that title.

I watched as both Derek and I shot up into a quad Lutz. The public put it on him, but it was all on me. I got distracted, lost in my mind and that goddamn song. I landed too close to my partner. The fall hurt like a motherfucker, but I kept going. Despite the song that had my heart bleeding and my whole right side that hurt like hell. It didn’t match the pain in my chest.

The first song I danced to with Bas under the starry night and headlights of his car shining on us. That song should never be played again. “I Found” by Amber Run would forever be on my banned list. Because I couldn’t listen to the words without feeling Bas’ hands on me, his mouth on my skin, and his scent all over me.

Third place.It wasn’t good enough. The whole right side of my hip was bruised and it ached. My ego might hurt even more and my heart was so used to the fucking pain by now that I barely noticed it.

The Winter Olympics would start in two months. The world speculated who would compete. I wanted out. Mother refused to even hear about it. I tried so hard over the last six months. If I was in singles, I could power through it. But not with Derek and the way I had to fight the flinch each time his hands rested on me.

“We still have a chance at gold,” Mom protested when I tried to tell her I couldn’t do it.

Except that I no longer felt the music, nor the passion.

“Is this the end of Star Flemming?”the announcer on the television screamed.“She shone bright but every star eventually burns out.”

I threw the remote at the television. The worst part was that he wasn’t wrong. I was burnt out. I had nothing more to give. All I felt was pain. I didn’t even know how to come to terms with any of it.

Bas, his father, my mother, her ruined career, my father. I knew nothing anymore.

Sasha gave me facts, but there was so much more to the story that only my mother knew. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to ask her and cause her pain.

And this fucking pain in my chest was unbearable. I wanted it to ease so each breath I took wouldn’t hurt so bad. I wanted to forget, so I’d be the old me. The old me that only cared about skating.

Someone knocked on my hotel door. I ignored it. Another knock.

“No room service needed,” I shouted.

“Open the goddamn door,” Juliette’s voice came through and I covered my face with my hands. I couldn’t deal with anyone. “I hear you replaying that stupid shit. Let me in before I break down this door and the hotel calls Dad.”

I couldn’t be left alone for just a moment, for Christ’s sake. Was some alone time too much to ask?

As her pounding got more violent, I sighed and stilled myself for the mask I had gotten used to wearing.‘Everything’s fine’mask. I got off the bed and padded to the door, then unlocked it.