Ice & Prejudice

Chapter 51

Nik's POV:

The cold air bit into my skin as I left the locker room, the early December chill a sharp reminder of the season. The moon hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the pavement as I pulled my jacket tighter, trying to shake off the lingering adrenaline from practice. But no amount of cold could freeze out the thoughts of Victoria that had been swirling in my head for the past three days. It had been three days since our phone call—three days since I heard Victoria's ragged breath on the other end of the line, and the memory still clung to me like a second skin.

She had disappeared completely. No more climbing fire escapes to avoid me, no more hiding behind students or in The Ruby's kitchen. Now, she was just... gone. It was like she'd vanished from the face of the earth. Every time I tried to call her, I was still blocked. Even when I used Harvey's phone, which I used on Monday and we just had the best phone sex ever, now when I called from it, it went straight to voicemail. It annoyed the hell out of me. I wanted to see her, talk to her, make things right after our last phone call. I wanted to tell her how I felt, to confront her about why she was avoiding me like I was some sort of monster.

Tonight, I'd decided I couldn't wait any longer. I was going to her place after first thing tomorrow morning, no more running around in circles. But as I started toward my car, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, expecting maybe some update on a practice schedule, or a message from Layla.

Instead, my screen flashed with a name I hadn't seen in two years: Vlad.

I stopped dead in my tracks, scowling at the name as if it were a ghost come back to haunt me. My gut twisted, a mix of anger and unease bubbling up inside me. What the hell did he want? We weren't close—never had been. Vlad was the kind of guy who made everyone's skin crawl. A manipulative, self-serving bastard who always knew exactly how to twist the knife. We hadn't spoken since he'd run off to Europe and Asia, leaving a mess behind him that nearly ruined our family.

Curiosity got the better of me, and despite every instinct telling me to ignore him, I swiped to answer the call.

"Vlad," I said, my voice cold and clipped. "What do you want?"

"Nice to hear from you too, big brother," Vlad drawled, his tone dripping with fake warmth. I could practically see the smirk on his face, the one that used to make me want to punch it right off him.

"I don't have time for this," I snapped, already regretting picking up. "Get to the point."

"Oh, don't be so harsh, Nik. Family should stay in touch, don't you think?" His words were smooth, almost too smooth, like he was toying with me. I could hear the sound of cars in the background, maybe the distant murmur of a busy street. "I've been keeping tabs, you know. Seeing how things are going for you back home. Must be nice, skating around, living the good life."

I clenched my teeth, holding back the urge to tell him to fuck off. "You didn't call just to catch up. So, spit it out."

"Alright, alright, no need to get testy," Vlad replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I hear you've been getting close to someone. A certain Victoria, if I'm not mistaken?"

My stomach dropped at the mention of her name, a mix of protectiveness and anger flaring up inside me. "How the hell do you know about that?" I demanded, my mind immediately racing through the possibilities. Had Layla or Alisha said something? Or maybe one of our cousins?

"Relax, Nik. It's not like it's a secret," Vlad continued, his tone turning more sinister. "But I couldn't help but wonder... Are you really sure about her? You know, considering her history."

I frowned, his words setting off alarm bells in my head. "What are you getting at?"

"Oh, come on, don't play dumb," Vlad said, his voice taking on that patronizing edge that always grated on my nerves. "You remember what she did three years ago, right? Threw herself at me, then cried wolf when things didn't go her way. She's not as innocent as you think, Nik. Far from it."