Billionaire Captain: Claiming My Rival's Ex

nora

the murmur of the grand ballroom, followed insta

TMZ Sports was printed in bold, unforgiving letters: NHL ALL-STAR J

ng onto Christy's finger. His sculpted, athletic jawline was soft, his smile radiating an authentic warmth I had spent two whole years begging to see in private. Christy-the daughter my stepfat

me: [Stay in the penthouse tonight, Nor

sked why we couldn't go public, Jared would sigh, cup my face with hi

fans can be to a player's girl. Let me hit forty goals this seas

les, analyzed rival teams' defensive gaps for his game preparation, and stay

he world to my stepsis

toward the head table. Every step felt like treading on shattered glass, but m

ured hand clamped down hard on my fore

nder her breath. Her diamond chandelier earrings swung violently against her po

tting in with a deadening chill. "You knew

s the face of the Chicago Blackhawks. Christy's father brings a network of gallery funding and sports

Jack Hester, collapsed on the ice rink ten years ago, Clarine

ough teeth clamped so tight they ached. "He

trust. You must be lawfully married by your twenty-fifth birthday to take distribution of the controllin

. And you have no husband. Which is why I took the liberty of securing one for you. Senator Vance has agree

notorious predator with two seal

te to the ground," I said

e marriage contract with Vance on Monday, or leave t

lk train whispering ac

ood there, holding two glasses of vintage champagne, his tuxedo tail

ping low, totally devoid of gui

? Like you're a l

ctical for once in your life. Christy fits the brand. Her father has the media in his pocket, and the front office loves her. You're

ar. "It doesn't have to change anything between us. Christy doesn't care w

. He wasn't ashamed; he was offering me a d

is hand away with a crack th

nd arctic. "You aren't a man. You're an overrated puck-chaser

. "Watch your mouth, Eleanora. You walk away from me tonight, and your mother hands you to Vance. Without me

" I said. "And I cert

ng a bouquet of white calla lilies. "Jared, darling? The reporter

wide-eyed display of innocence. "Nora, please... don't be angry wi

o the gathered socialites eavesdropping nearby. "You've spent

theatrical sob. Jared looked at me with open hatred.

allroom, head held high, ignoring the burni

ing the pavement in frigid sheets. I climbed into the back of a y

da

father's trust, and dismantle every single p

oing straight to the league forums. My thumb stopped

ARE PLAGUED BY GAY RUMORS, SPONSORS THREATEN $20M TERMINATION, F

red captain ducking paparazzi, his face obscured by a dark cap. Ano

A player with immense power who would n

ct fit for a bus

Eleanora Hester," I said into the speaker. "And I have a proposition for your client-don't get me wrong,