Page 108 of Queen’s Gambit

Smack, smack, smack.

My fists flew at the heavy bag, sending it swinging wildly with the force of each blow. Every punch that landed I pictured Christov’s face. My pent-up frustration needed an outlet, or I would go insane. I had come downstairs to my gym hours ago and had no idea what time it was and didn’t care.

The hard rock music blaring through the speakers matched my dark mood. The wedding would be long over, and my heart couldn’t take the pain of what that meant. I thought I could handle this, but now that the day was here...I’d almost shot someone just because they asked me a question. The rage was all-consuming and running wild through my veins like a forest fire. There was no cooling it off.

Ana was mine. She had been for years, and now she was pregnant with my child. Meanwhile, I was stuck here in a marriage of convenience, and she was married to that fucking asshole Christov.

“Ah!” The roar that ripped from my chest was filled with so much pain that it was as if my soul left my body.

The music suddenly shut off, leaving my ears ringing. I turned around to bite the head off whoever had dared disturb me, but it was Paul standing by the controls.

“I don’t want to hear it,” I said, marching away.

Picking up my water, I looked at my hands and realized they were slick with blood. I’d split open my knuckles and hadn’t noticed. After chugging down half the bottle, I yelled and threw the rest. It hit the mirror before spraying liquid all over the floor.

Leaning against the wall, I slid down and hung my head. This was only day one. How was I supposed to live this way?

Paul didn’t say a word as he sat down beside me. He placed an open bottle of whiskey between us. I snatched it and drank four pulls before setting it back down. Not even the burn of alcohol could match my anger.

“I know you said you didn’t think this was a good idea, but…I thought I could do it. I really did, but it’s killing me, Paul.”

“I have something else for you,” he said, ignoring my rant.

“I’m not sure I can down two bottles of whiskey unless you plan to drive me to the hospital.”

Paul reached into a bag I hadn’t even noticed and pulled out a folder.

“Work? You think that will help make me feel better?”

“Just take the file,” he said, holding it out to me, but yanked it back as I went to reach for it. “On second thought, wipe your hands off first.”

Mumbling profanities under my breath, I picked up my towel and wiped off the blood. My hands were still stained, but it would have to do. Taking the file, I flipped it open and began reading over the pages.

“Paul…how did you get this?”

“I can’t tell you that,” he said, and I looked over at him. “But it’s legit.”

“This will destroy the Ivankov family. They’ll lose everything, including their political seat,” I said, a spark of exhilaration filling me with the possibilities of how and when to use this. “It’ll take me time to accumulate enough funds to complete, take over, and then destroy their reputation, but I can do it.”

“You never got this from me,” Paul said, and I nodded.

“You always amaze me, my friend.” Closing the folder and putting it on my lap, I stared at the wall. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but it hurts so fucking much.”

Paul picked up the bottle and took a swig before setting it back down.

“I know it does. But can I be honest?”

“I don’t know if I can handle the truth, but fine.”

“It’s worse for her.” I turned my head and glared at him, but he just shrugged. “Be strong for her. She’s going to need you. What you feel means nothing. Sorry, but it’s true.”

“On second thought, I may need a second bottle,” I grumbled and laid my head back.

“Thank you, Paul,” I said a little while later. He was right.

“You’re welcome.”

I jumped as my phone vibrated under my cheek. Lifting my head, I blinked and looked around trying to remember how the hell I ended up on the floor of my office, but it was all a blur.