Release (Off Balance 3)

Kova shook his head, at a loss for words.

It really was what I'd been thinking about when I mounted the beam. I let go and trusted myself, trusted the faith my coaches had in me, and when I saw my score flash on the board shortly after my dismount, I was insanely proud. While I hadn't snagged first place, I was in the top three and I'd

totally take it.

Letting go was hard, but fear was crippling. I refused to be a prisoner of my own fears and self-appointed limitations.

As I stood waiting to rotate to the last event, the back of my neck prickled with awareness. I felt the heavy stare of someone and turned around. I tilted my head to the side and took him in, trying to figure out where I'd seen him before. I saw a lot of forgettable faces at meets, but this one, he looked so familiar and it annoyed me I couldn't place him. I'd seen those beady eyes before that were now raking up and down my body.

I shivered. I didn't like the way he looked at me, or the sleazy smile that pulled at his weathered mouth to reveal yellow-stained teeth.

Kova stepped in front of my view and I pulled back, brows gathering up at him.

"Do not look at him." His eyes were hard as dried cement. "Do you hear me? Do not look at him again." His voice was deadly.

I hesitated with my question. "Why?"

If possible, his eyes darkened, and I swear I heard him growl. "Adrianna—"

"I'm not asking to aggravate you, Coach. I'm just curious."

Placing his hands on his hips, his chest expanded as he shot a fleeting glance over his shoulder, then back at me. I didn't follow because for once I didn't want to annoy him. And, because that guy creeped me out.

Looking down at me, Kova ran his teeth over his bottom lip like he was debating whether he wanted to tell me something or not. His indecisive eyes bore into mine, so I did what I always do. I pushed.

"What is it?" I asked. "Do you know him?"

"Do you remember the Parkettes meet, where we discussed what you learned from just watching the competition and the room as a whole? We got on the subject of that coach and how I warned you—"

"You mean threatened—"

"—to stay away from the coach who was demeaning his gymnast and how it disturbed you?"

My eyes widened. "That's him!" I muttered under my breath. "I thought he looked familiar. He's the coach you fired."

Kova's chin dipped long and slow. It was the same guy Reagan had told me about.

"For once, listen to me when I say do not engage him. Do not look his way. Pretend he does not exist."

"Okay."

"I am serious, Adrianna. There is more to him than I want to disclose, and I will not get in to it right now, so do not ask."

I nodded solemnly. I thought back to the day in my hotel room where I sat on his lap as we discussed his actions and my perception, and I remembered how Kova said he had a gut feeling one day someone was going to report him. Dread creased my forehead. I didn't want to go there, but I had to wonder if he was one of those coaches who were more than hands on and got away with it.

I frowned, my stomach churning with rancid thoughts. "Don't tell me he—"

My words were stopped short when he stepped up to us and intruded in on our conversation.

"Konstantin. Pleasure seeing you here." I recoiled while Kova appeared calm. A sour taste filled my mouth. But I knew him. I noticed the veins that twirled down his arms like snakes contracting with power, the way his hands contracted into fists. There was bad blood between them, and I wanted to know why.

"Too bad I cannot say the same for you," Kova responded with no tact at all. I choked back a laugh. His Russian accent ground out each word and I loved when it made a show.

"Why don't we let bygones be bygones already," he suggested. Kova stood stone still and silent. "I've been following you this year. You wouldn't have gotten as far as you have without me and we both know it." Blatant disgust bled from Kova for the man in front of him. "Except for this one." He pointed to me, his eyes glistening. He made my skin crawl. "Where did you find her?"

"Adrianna," he said without looking at me, "go get ready. I will be there soon."

I didn't move. I was too enthralled, and luckily Kova didn't notice because his rage took center stage.