Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

“Well I did.”

“Come on, Sierra. Nothing good would have happened if you stayed on the US team. That dick, Pierce Miller would have screwed you over. We both knew it.”

“I was qualified. I had three years at the collegiate level. I trained with professionals. I had clients who were professional volleyball players. And you think I couldn’t handle one womanizer? Thanks. Thanks, a lot.”

“Eric told me about him. When you wanted to apply we talked about it. We were both worried.”

I groaned. This conversation wasn’t moving forward. My brother wasn’t saying anything I wanted to hear. “It wasn’t your decision to make. If Eric didn’t think I could handle the job, that’s one thing. But to not hire me because he was afraid someone wanted to get in my pants is something entirely different.”

I blushed slightly. I could see it on the screen. Thinking about Pierce in my pants last night brought everything back.

“We were looking out for you. That’s all.”

“You were controlling my life. Making decisions that weren’t yours to make. Pushing me across the ocean. Away from everyone, Michael. Do you have any idea what you did?”

The tears came rushing from my eyes before I knew it. Six months of pretending to fit in amongst the Italians. Of trying hard to be a part of a foreign place. Of being pushed around by Sergio and Paulo. Six months of missing my small hometown and my friends. Did they have any idea what they had done?

“I didn’t mean for you to move to Italy.” His voice quietened. “I’m sorry, Sierra. Really. But I was planning on visiting. I thought it could be a really cool trip. If you’ll have me.”

I wiped my eyes with a tissue. “I don’t know if I’m staying.”

“What?”

And that’s when I stopped thinking completely. The words were out. “Your plan totally backfired. Instead of keeping me away from Pierce, you drove me straight to him. I’m with him.” My eyes flared. “Yeah, I met him here in Rio and we’ve been together, Michael. In fact, he’s spending the night again tonight after his match.”

I was out of breath I had spoken so fast. No brother wanted to hear the bomb I had just dropped. He cringed.

“Holy shit, Sierra. I didn’t want to know that.”

“I don’t care. Stop meddling. Tell Eric to back off.”

“Ok. Ok. I hear you.”

“Good.” I smiled. “Tell Mom and Dad I said hi.” I waved. I felt a sense of triumph. I had to hope Michael wouldn’t talk to Eric before I had a chance to tell Pierce what happened.

I hung up and collapsed on my rumpled bed. It was in shambles. We had completely wrecked it, but I snuggled into the pillow that smelled like Pierce and fell asleep.

15

Pierce

When I awoke from my nap, there were five missed calls from Eric on my phone. I checked the time. I wasn’t late for the next match. What in the hell was going on?

I tried to call him, but it went straight to voicemail. Something was up.

I grabbed my bag and headed to the arena.

The stands were full. Matches had been played all day. I started my search for Eric in the locker rooms, but they were crowded with different countries. The tunnels underneath the fan seats were narrow and winding. I was about to give up when I saw the back of his visor with the Team USA logo on it.

“Eric!” I shouted over the heads in front of me.

He t

urned around. Even in the dark hallway I could tell he wasn’t happy.

“You had to do it, didn’t you?” He poked a finger in my chest.

“Do what?” I backed up, not because I was intimidated, but because there wasn’t much space and I wasn’t interested in plowing over a row of Rio dancers.