Niko leaned his hip against the counter. “There must be some mistake. I didn’t ask to be on any show.”
Alice’s stomach plummeted to the dark hardwood floor. There was no special without Niko Stavo. And without the special, she couldn’t stay in Seattle. And if she couldn’t stay in Seattle, she’d have to postpone the tests that might save a girl’s life. Possibly the life of the little girl right next to her. She risked a glance at Chloe, and a rock formed in her throat. The little girl who might be her own.
Chapter Three
“Again, not only didn’t I ask for this, I don’t want to be on your show.” Niko stared down the leggy blonde that insisted on following him into the large prep kitchen, the bright lights burning his tired eyes. His heart still pounded from hearing Chloe’s earlier scream, and Alice Carlson’s presence seemed to magnify the frantic beats. Her pale, ice-blue eyes met his, and a cool smile twisted her perfect pink lips. She tilted her head, revealing the curve of her long neck. Gorgeous, in a sophisticated kind of way, with a nice set of tits under a slinky light-blue sweater, she was definitely high maintenance.
“We received an application from Chocolate Gastronomy that said Chloe—”
The mention of Chloe brought him back to the real world with a bang. “So you thought to exploit the story? To feature me so you can tell my backstory and gain sympathy from my niece’s illness to boost your ratings? Chloe’s health isn’t a game.” It was his reality, a true-life horror story, from the death of his brother-in-law to his niece’s cancer diagnosis.
Alice’s cheeks flushed. Was the color caused by guilt at being called out, or anger for having her plans quashed? Whatever the emotion, her purpose showed through her uneasiness. He could see her sharp mind working. She wasn’t the type to take no for an answer, and although he admired that trait in some, he was in no mood to argue.
“I understand you’re feeling blindsided by this, but we received an application and we—”
A bark of laughter escaped. This woman was downright unbelievable. “My niece is a kid. You couldn’t possibly think whatever application she filled out is legit. She and I will definitely be talking about this. In the meantime, I’m sorry you came all this way.”
Stan rushed into the kitchen. “Niko, the dark chocolate bacon rolls are almost gone, and the Johnsons called. They want to double the truffle order for tonight and tomorrow night.”
With each word, the pressure built. A double order meant another all-nighter, in addition to the three he’d just completed. “Got it.” He had a million things to do besides argue with some hot chick with an attitude. “It doesn’t matter what you have to say. The answer is no.”
She waved one slender hand in agitation, light glittering off a diamond engagement ring on her left finger. Shoulders straight, she jutted her jaw out. “Our show received a contract completed in full from a representative from Chocolate Gastronomy. I have it here on my phone and can email it to you.”
“I didn’t fill out an application, and if Chloe did, it isn’t binding. She’s a kid, for fuck’s sake.”
“And your cussing at me isn’t going to change the facts,” she bit out before she clamped her mouth shut. “It doesn’t change the fact that we received an application and a contract, signed by and agreed to, by a person over the age of eighteen, sent to our legal department asking the show to feature you. Did her illness have something to do with us choosing you? I won’t insult your intelligence by denying it. Is it shitty to exploit a sick child? Absolutely, but that’s the way the world works. We didn’t come to you. You came to us. And now I’m here to fulfill my obligation.”
A flash of pink down the hall showed Chloe eavesdropping. He should have known. Once this Carlson woman left, Chloe would have some explaining to do. He blocked the woman’s view with his body and spoke low. “I. Didn’t. Come. To. You.”
Alice’s lips compressed, eyes blazing fire. “Fine, don’t be on the show. You might want to read the exit clause in the contract.”
“Save your threats, lady. I didn’t sign any contract, so you’re out of luck.”
“I did. I filled out the contract,” Hallie said from the doorway, chin raised and haunted eyes begging for forgiveness. “Because seeing you on the show is Chloe’s greatest wish.”
He rubbed his temple and sucked in a sharp breath. “You should have asked me first. I can’t be on the show. I don’t have four hours to prep for some stupid contest. I promised the chef at Vicenzo’s I would be there for her tonight.”
“This isn’t our normal format. We won’t start filming the cooking portion until next week. This week, we’re focusing on interviewing the contestants. I will work around your schedule,” Alice said.
“Chef’s the one who suggested we try to get the show interested in you. She thought it would help us with…you know,” Hallie said.
“Not two weeks before Christmas, our busiest time of the year.”
“I will admit the timing isn’t the best.” Hallie moved closer to them. She reached out and clasped his hand, squeezing it between her own. “You receive a minimum of a thousand dollars for competing, another four thousand if you make it through the second round, and another five thousand if you win.”
A potential ten grand, if he won. The money was greater than any single purse he’d earned during his early years of fighting. While a small part of him missed competing, the travel, and the wear and tear on his body had made the decision easier. That was then, this was now. While the money promised hope, there was no guarantee he’d win 3Square. And if he was booted out in the first round, he’d get a thousand dollars, a drop in the bucket for what he needed, but it was something.
And then there was Chloe’s wish. Maybe one of the last ones she’d ever make. How could he say no?
Niko wasn’t about to let Miss Firecracker off the hook by agreeing so readily. He was about to become an even bigger ass. Desperate times called for desperate measures. He dropped Hallie’s hand and nodded toward Chloe lurking in the hallway. “Give us a few minutes.”
Hallie offered Alice an encouraging smile before she left the kitchen, taking her daughter with her.
“In addition to the prize money, you can also win ten thousand for a charity of your choice,” Alice chimed in, looking hopeful, and although she tried to hide it, worried.
He understood that particular state of mind and planned to play on it. “No, it’s ten thousand per round for me to go on the show. If you don’t agree, I don’t agree to compete on your show.”
Chapter Four
