“Nice to see you again, Rupert. It’s been too long.” Kinga pinned a stray blond hair into her favoured chignon before slowly getting to her feet. “Please sit down, Natalia.” She waved towards the chair she’d vacated, but Tally’s feet refused to move.
Em stood in front of Tally, momentarily blocking her view. “Keep your orders to yourself, lady,” Em said.
“It’s okay, Em,” Tally said, relieved to have found her voice. “Why don’t we all sit down?” Tally impressed herself with how gracefully she brushed past them all and pulled out a chair at the table. Kinga sat directly opposite, Em on her right, Rupe on the left.
“I’m sorry to turn up unannounced,” Kinga said, eyes firmly on Tally.
“What do you want, Kinga?” Tally said.
“My job back.”
Rupe snorted. “Cash is the same guy, you know. Still the sharp-tongued stubborn son of a bitch he always was. I’d scarper before he gets here if I were you. Safer all round.”
Kinga’s gaze didn’t even flicker in Rupe’s direction. It was as though he hadn’t even spoken. “I owe you an apology.”
Tally tightened her grip on the arms of the chair. Outwardly, she was presenting an air of calmness. Inside, her stomach muscles cramped uncomfortably, and her heart was beating far too fast.
“You could have texted me.”
Kinga laughed, the sound tinkly and light, very unlike the harsh, sarcastic laugh of the old Kinga. “I think apologies are much better made in the flesh, don’t you?”
“Depends on who’s making the apology.”
The smile drained from Kinga’s eyes. “I am sorry, Natalia. I never should have hit you. It was… I wasn’t myself.”
“Are you still obsessed with him?” Tally said.
A flash of surprise crossed her face, and then she shook her head. “No.”
“Why should I believe you?”
Kinga’s gaze dropped to the floor. “My deluded infatuation with Cash wasn’t healthy. My counsellor has helped me to see that. I’m a different person now, and I want to make amends.”
Both Rupe and Em opened their mouths to speak, but Tally shot them a warning glance. “What’s so different?”
Kinga lifted her chin and took a slow breath. “It’s difficult to explain.”
“Try.”
Tally surprised herself with how clipped and harsh her voice sounded, but she wasn’t about to let Kinga off lightly. The woman had belted her, after all. Tally was allowed to feel aggrieved.
Kinga’s gaze lowered again. “Cash had become my entire life,” she said, unease etched into the stiff line of her jaw. “But the price I paid was to lose myself. These past couple of months, I’ve been able to find me again.” Her hand clasped a small cross she wore around her neck, and she drew it back and forth along the chain.
“I’ve met someone.” Her face softened, and her eyes took on a misty glaze. “His name’s William. He’s a marketing executive for Nike. With William’s help and my counselling sessions, I’ve been able to see clearly for the first time in a very long time.”
Tally drew her teeth across her bottom lip. Kinga appeared sincere, but as the woman had shown nothing but animosity towards her since their first meeting in Paris back in February, Tally couldn’t quite bring herself to believe the presented image.
“Please, Natalia, forgive me. If you can forgive me, then I have a chance of Cash doing the same thing. I want my career back.”
Tally held her gaze for a moment or two before looking over at Rupe. “How do you think he’s going to react?”
Rupe considered her question. “Badly,” he finally said.
Tally fixed her eyes on a spot on the table before glancing between Rupe and Em. “Can you leave us?”
Em’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you sure?”
Tally laughed. “I think I’m safe.”
Rupe glared at Kinga as though sending her a silent warning. He got to his feet, patted Tally’s arm, and cocked his head at Em. “Come on, Fallon. I’ll buy you lunch.”
Tally’s gaze followed Em and Rupe as they left the players’ lounge. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs, picking a stray bit of fluff from her skirt.
“Okay, Kinga. You want a chance to talk to Cash, fine. But be prepared for what he might say.”
Kinga’s sigh of relief was unmistakeable. “I want you to know how truly sorry I am,” she said, sincerity leaching into her tone. “I’ve never hit anyone in my life, and certainly not over a man.” She chuckled, clearly hoping for a bit of female solidarity.
Tally nodded but kept her manner cool as she tried to sort through her feelings. Cash needed someone looking after his considerable interests, and despite Kinga’s faults, she had never failed him in that department. If he hired someone new, it would take years to build up to the level of trust he had with Kinga, financially at least, and by that time, his career would be over. The problem would be persuading Cash that taking Kinga back was in his best interests.
“Was it difficult?” Tally said. “The counselling, I mean?”
Kinga stared at her hands. “Yes.” After a few seconds, she lifted her head. “All sorts of things came up, from years ago. Long before I met Cash.” Her eyes fixed on a faraway point in the distance, and for a few moments, she seemed to have been transported elsewhere. Then she blinked and shook her head. “It’s not easy facing up to the sort of person you’ve been, especially when you find out that’s not who you really are—that you’ve been playing a part without even realising it.”
A rush of empathy moved through Tally’s body, but as she began to reach out to Kinga, she changed her mind. “I can’t just forget that you hit me, but I do understand why. Whether Cash will… I’m afraid that’s something I can’t control.”
“I understand. And thank you. I know what I did was unforgiveable and not just because I hit you, but because of how awful I was to you when you and Cash first got together.”
Tally let out a soft sigh. “Look, I’m not the type to hold grudges. I think having you on the team again would be good for Cash, and that’s why I’m willing to support you when you talk to him. If he agrees”—she shrugged—“then we’ll take it from there.”
Even after Cash had showered and changed, adrenaline still coursed through his body. He hadn’t wanted to admit how shit-scared he’d been before stepping out on the court, not even to himself. Now the game was over, he could finally think about it. Two months was a long time to be away from tennis, but playing out there had been like coming home. All the pain of the last week was forgotten in the excitement of winning.
“You played well,” Brad said as Cash bent down to tie his shoelaces.
“Yeah, I’m pretty pleased. How was Natalia?”
“More nervous than you, I think. I’m sure she’s equally relieved.”
“Is she in the lounge?”
“Yeah, with Rupe and Emmalee. They were talking about a large glass of wine last I heard.”
Cash laughed. “Could do with one of those myself.”
“Not on my fucking watch.”
He laughed again. “I’ll be a good boy. Iced water only.”
“Good.” Brad picked up his bags. “I’ll sort these. Good luck at the press conference.”
Cash groaned. He’d almost forgotten about that chore in the euphoria of the win. As it turned out, he needn’t have worried. The press conference wasn’t nearly as bad as he’d feared. Surprisingly, most reporters seemed pleased to have him back on tour, and the questions focused on the match rather than his personal life or the reasons for his absence.
After twenty minutes, he managed to escape. He couldn’t wait to see Natalia. She’d tried her best to hide her fear before the match, but he knew her too well. He’d be getting her that glass of wine. She’d earned it.
A few players stopped him on his way to the lounge, all wanting to welcome him back. He exchanged a brief word or two, relieved when he finally got to the lounge.
He pushed open the door, scanned the room, and spotted Natalia sitting alone by the window. As he walked towards her, she locked eyes with him, stood up, and almost scrambled around the table in her haste to get to him. She fastened her arms around his neck, and a kick of anxiety shot into his bloodstream at the tightness of her hold and the stiffness in her body.
“Hey, you okay?” He pulled her close, his hand rubbing comforting circles on her back. “Where’s Rupe and Emmalee?”
“Stay calm,” she whispered in his ear.
Confused, he tilted his head back and smiled down at her. “I have to admit, I expected ‘congratulations’ or ‘well done.’” When she didn’t return his smile, he frowned. “What’s going on?”
She reached for him. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”
He pulled her hands away from his face. “Spit it out, Natalia.”
She took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. “Kinga’s here.”
Rage hissed through his body, surprising even him with its intensity. As blood rushed to his head, his vision grew hazy, Natalia’s face disappearing behind a red mist.
“Cash, listen to me. She’s saying she’s changed. She wants a chance to be heard, that’s all.”
“Where is she?” he gritted out.
“Cash—”
“Where the fuck is she, Natalia?”
It took a huge effort to keep his voice level. He knew he was scaring her, but he couldn’t stop himself. Fucking Kinga. He didn’t want her anywhere near him or Natalia. It had taken him a long time to wake up to the fact that she was a bitter, poisonous bitch who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.
“I’m here.”
Cash spun around. As his gaze met Kinga’s, he must have achieved the scathing look he’d intended, because she flinched and took a step back. He marched across the room, gripped her by the elbow and, without saying a word, propelled her towards the exit.
“Cash, stop it.” Natalia grabbed his arm, but he shook her off.
“This is between me and her.”
Natalia stepped in front of him, barring the way out. “No. It’s between me and her,” she said between clenched teeth. “I know you like to think the whole world revolves around you, but it was me she belted. Now, stop making a scene. Everyone is looking. Just hear her out. Think of it as closure if nothing else.”
Cash glared at Kinga. He didn’t know what she’d said to get Natalia on her side, but she’d need to work a hell of a lot harder to convince him she was anything other than a conniving bitch.
“You’ve got ten minutes.”
“Not here,” Natalia said. “Let’s go back to the boat.”
Cash glanced around. Several pairs of eyes were keenly watching the altercation.
“Fine,” he bit out, and with his hand on the small of Natalia’s back, he ushered her through the door, leaving Kinga trailing behind.
No one spoke on the journey back to Rupe’s boat. The atmosphere was uncomfortable and strained. Cash had no idea what had happened to Rupe and Emmalee, but he guessed Natalia had told them to make themselves scarce. Sensible girl.
“Clock’s ticking, Kinga,” he said once they’d settled in the living room below deck. He checked his watch to press his point.
A small smile crept around her mouth. “Direct as ever, Cash.”
He let out a long, drawn-out sigh. Kinga shared a look with Natalia, and Cash frowned as he watched the silent exchange between the two women.
“I have apologised to Natalia, and she has been gracious enough to accept my apology, although neither of us is downplaying how disgracefully I behaved. I was out of control, Cash, both with her and with you. I’m sorry. For everything. I’ve spent the last couple of months having intensive counselling.” She laughed, the sound hollow and without feeling. “I’ve learned quite a few things about myself during that time. I’m here to ask for your forgiveness, and maybe…” She paused and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Maybe we could even work together again.”
Cash almost choked. “You and me working together again? You’re fucking joking.”
“Cash.” Natalia squeezed his leg under the table.
“It would never work. Natalia may be able to move on from your violent outburst, but I can’t. I won’t.”
Kinga’s face fell, and she gave Natalia a pleading look.
“Cash, things aren’t the same as they were. Kinga’s in a committed relationship now, aren’t you?” Natalia nodded in Kinga’s direction.
“Yes.” Kinga’s face softened. “His name is William. He’s good for me. Doesn’t let me get away with much.”
Cash glared at her. “I don’t see the relevance.”
Kinga winced, and her fingers gripped the cross around her neck. Seconds scraped by before she leaned forwards, elbows on her knees. “Look, I was… obsessed with you. Living in a fantasy world. The day I hit Natalia is one I will regret for the rest of my life. Meeting William and getting the help I need has taught me that although I have made terrible decisions based on shaky foundations, I’m not a violent person.”
Cash widened his eyes as Natalia briefly touched Kinga’s arm. Kinga’s answering smile was about as genuine as he’d ever seen.
“Cash, you said yourself there was no one better at their job than Kinga,” Natalia said. “And you haven’t replaced her yet. You need an agent, someone to look after your interests.”
He glanced between the two women as they patiently waited for him to speak. He’d always known Kinga was a bitch, but before Natalia had come along, it hadn’t bothered him in the slightest. She’d been great at her job, and he hadn’t cared about the rest. Even the ill-timed passes she often made at him had been easy to deal with. His anger wasn’t about the things she had done to him—it was because she’d hit Natalia. Violence against women, regardless of the sex of the person committing it, was unacceptable in his eyes. And Cash didn’t know whether that was something he’d ever get past, even though Natalia clearly had.
He shook his head. “I don’t understand you at all,” he said to Natalia. “She hit you.”
Natalia gave him a wry smile. “Haven’t we all done things we wish we could go back in time and do differently? I know I have. I’m not saying we’re ever going to be best friends, but I believe that people who put the effort into changing deserve a second chance.”
Cash scrubbed his face with his hands and let out a heavy sigh. Silence clung to the air around them, like humidity before a thunderstorm. Cash let it sit there, lingering. Kinga fiddled with a large ruby ring on her left hand, twisting it round and round her finger, while Natalia sat quietly beside him.
“One-month trial,” he eventually said, regretting the words as soon as he’d spoken. “But be warned, Kinga. Step out of line, and this time, I’ll ruin you.”
18
Tally pushed open the door to Starbucks and looked around for Kinga. She spotted her at the back of the coffee shop, nursing a half-finished latte.
Tally rushed over. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic was awful. Do you want another coffee?”
“That’d be great,” Kinga said with a smile.
Tally grabbed a couple of coffees and sat down with a sigh. “I hate driving Cash’s car. It’s too big. Took me ages to find a big enough parking space that wouldn’t mean I had to climb out of the window.”
Kinga laughed. “You should have got him to drop you off.”
“He couldn’t. Brad’s over at ours,” she said with a mischievous grin. “He thought Cash needed some extra practice after losing his semifinal in Monte Carlo.”
Kinga grimaced. “How has he taken the loss now he’s had a few days to let it sink in?”
Tally picked up her coffee and took a sip. “Surprisingly well. He recognised he was half a yard short and that’s why he didn’t make the finals.” She grinned. “Brad had that determined look when he arrived this morning.” She put her cup on the table. “So, what’s up?”
Kinga tilted her
head to one side. “Has anyone ever told you that you have an innate ability to read situations very well?”
Tally shrugged. “It’s no big secret. When we met the other day, you looked like you had something on your mind, and so when you called this morning asking to meet up, I figured you’d decided to tell me.”
Kinga minutely shook her head. “Very astute.” She fixed Tally with a stare, her eyes holding a tinge of fear mingled with regret. “I owe you an apology.”
Tally frowned. “You’ve already apologised. There’s no need to keep raking over the coals every time we see each other.”
Kinga gripped the cross on the chain she always wore and clenched it tightly. “No, not that. This is worse. I wasn’t sure whether to tell you, but I can’t keep it from you any longer. It’s not right.”
A swirl of apprehension began to grow in Tally’s stomach, and her skin prickled. “Tell me what?”
Kinga closed her eyes and took a deep breath before locking her gaze on Tally once more. “I took the photographs. The ones of Cash with that woman.” As Tally gaped at her, Kinga rushed on. “I’m guessing it was completely innocent because you two are still together, and I’m so glad you didn’t break up because of me. But as I’m trying to make a fresh start, I wanted you to know.”
As shock rolled through Tally’s system, she covered her face with her hands and scrubbed hard. “I don’t believe this.”
“It was all part of my illness. I’m so sorry.”
Tally narrowed her eyes. “But I don’t get it. The pictures were taken on the Tuesday, and you’d already checked into that residential facility in London. Cash did some digging because it crossed his mind you might have been the culprit.”
Kinga wiped a hand over her mouth, smudging her usually perfect lipstick. “I did check myself into the facility after the altercation with Cash on that Saturday, but over the next couple of days, I got more and more angry at how awful he’d been—how cold and dismissive, and how protective he was of you. I hated you both back then, and I wanted you to suffer, so I flew back to Ireland and followed him, waiting for a chance to cause trouble. I got lucky.” She grimaced. “Sorry, wrong word.”
Losing Game: A Winning Ace Novel (Book 2) Page 11