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He had many friends high up on the International Olympic Committee. His reputation as Andras Horvath preceded him, after all.
I nodded, though it could be anyone. “Sure.”
“We discussed you all week.”
I inched forward. “And?”
“He went back to the committee. They are willing to give you a second chance if you pay the rest of your fee upfront.”
My heart rioted against my ribcage.
I could do that.
Now that Zach footed my legal bill, I could actuallydoit.
Hope cluttered my throat, thickening my voice. “Do you think there’s a chance?”
“Can’t promise anything.” Two columns of gray smoke shot from his nostrils. “But it is a possibility.”
“We should try.” I splayed my fingers on his desk, leaning in.So much for accepting my retirement.“I’ll do whatever it takes. We’ll practice twice a day. I’ll pay the rest of the fee upfront?—”
“There are strings attached.”
I blinked at him, waiting.
He used the lit ember of his cigarette to erect a small mountain of ash on the tray. “You drop that silly lawsuit against your stepmother and leave your father’s family alone.”
His words knocked the wind out of me.
I stumbled back from their force.
Your father’s family.
What was I to him? A Christmas decoration?
Why wouldn’t I fight against injustice? Vera fabricated the will and robbed Dad of his last wishes. Retiring at our company had always been my endgame.
Fencing was the dream—but it wasn’t a long-term career. And I refused to be shamed into submission.
After all, a rose doesn’t survive without its thorns.
“She made up a whole will.” I tossed my hands up. “She stole my father’s art collection, sold his entire?—”
Andras crashed a fist onto his desk, shaking its contents with theforce. “Enough.”
I shut my mouth, but I refused to move an inch.
He stood, panting, screwing the cigarette butt inside the ashtray. “I do not care about your family drama. I do not care about this Vera woman. Or about your sisters. Your mind is off the piste when you are busy fighting them. Either you are all in, or you are all out. I am not going to let you waste my time while you spread yourself thin.”
I didn’t understand why training for the Olympics and bringing Vera down were mutually exclusive.
“I’m not spreading myself thin.” I shook my head, rushing words out. “Fencing takes top priority. The Vera thing is handled by the lawyers and a private investiga?—”
“Private investigator?” Andras’ face splotched like strawberry ice cream. He jabbed his finger at me. “You have lost whatever mind you had. Consider this my ultimatum. Either you leave this nonsense alone and move on with your life, or I am done training you.”
“This isn’t fair.” I curled my hands into fists, shaking so hard I practically vibrated. “This has nothing to do with fencing.”
“Everything has to do with fencing.” Andras rounded the desk, sloping against it. He folded his arms over his belly, regulating his tone. “If I bring you to the Olympics, you must listen to me. You will let things go when I tell you to. You will eat from the menu I give you. You will obey my every request.” His nostrils flared. “And my first request is for you to drop it all. The private investigators. The lawyers. The nonsense. Stop living in the past, Farrow. Start working for the future.”
