My mother waited in the hall. When our eyes met, she shook her head. “I can’t believe you did that. She’s almost family. You took advantage of Russell’s kindness.”
Kindness? He wouldn’t recognize it if it hit him.
I’d had enough. “I can’t believe you let him read Kaia’s diary. I can’t believe you don’t see how wrong that is. And I can’t believe you downgraded from my father to that piece of shit.”
She gasped.
Without sparing her another glance, I ran down the stairs, heart pounding up my throat, heat burning through me.
***
Ale opened the door shirtless, yawning into his fist. “It’s five a.m., mi niño. What happened?”
“Russell knows.”
All traces of sleep left Ale’s eyes. “Come in.”
We went to the kitchen, and he started the coffee maker. When the cups were ready, he handed me one and sat at the island beside me. “How did he find out?”
I twirled the cup on its saucer. “He went to Kaia’s school yesterday while she was with me. Found her diary. Read it.”
Ale groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. “What a fucking mess. What now?”
“He’ll disown her unless I break up with her.” The thought made me sick. I’d taken her virginity less than two days ago. I’d promised I’d never leave.
“And you think those aren’t empty threats?”
They might have been if he actually cared about her. He’d be mad, but we could reason with him, and he’d ultimately choose what was best for his child. But Russell Demeri only cared about himself.
“He doesn’t give a damn. He won’t pay for her boarding school and college if we’re together.”
Ale downed his coffee and pushed the cup aside. “Asshole. Does he know you’re leaving after this season?”
I shook my head. “Didn’t think telling him was smart. He could fuck up my prospects with other teams. Blacklist me completely. As it is, the only reason he’s not ruining my career is because I’m useful to him. I came to see you because I need to know if I have enough to pay for Kaia’s studies.”
“Wait here.”
Ale left the room. After a few minutes, he returned with his laptop.
While it booted, I drained my cup. I hadn’t slept and needed to be alert for whatever came next.
A spreadsheet with my finances filled the screen. Ale managed them; when I inherited at eighteen, I didn’t know shit about money. That changed, but I stayed calmer with him in charge.
One glance at the balance, and my stomach lurched. “I thought I had more.”
Ale pointed at the column of recent expenses. “Ethan. Good lawyers don’t come cheap, either. You’ve got savings, but if you don’t sign with another team when the season ends, you’ll be living off those.”
I pressed a fist to my mouth and stared until the numbers blurred. I blinked. The fucking moisture stayed. So did the ache in my chest.
“I can’t do this to her,” I whispered. “I love her, Ale. Really love her. If she had to choose between her future and me, she’d choose me. But I’m not a fucking psychic. I don’t know if I’ll sign with another team soon. I can’t let her give up her dreams for me. Not just dreams—her education. If she doesn’t go, she’ll keep depending on Russell.”
I wanted to tell her what he’d done, but how could I? She’d refuse his money. She’d sacrifice everything—her dream college, her plans—just to be with me. I couldn’t let that happen. She was only eighteen, with so much still ahead.
I had racing. A career. She didn’t. And if Russell followed through, she’d have to settle for far less than she deserved. Wasn’t that fucking sad for a girl starved of her father’s affection?
“I wish I could assure you I’ll have a new contract for you soon,” Ale said. “I’m trying, Ash, but unless you relocate, your options are limited.”
“I know.”
