Chapter 4 Chapter 4

The conference room at Apex Academy was packed wall-to-wall with journalists, cameras, and flashing lights. Kai “The Blade” Reynolds sat at the center of the long table, flashing his trademark cocky grin, the one that had sold millions in merchandise and secured his spot as the golden boy of open-wheel racing. Dressed in a crisp team polo that hugged his broad shoulders, messy dark hair styled just right, he looked every inch the untouchable superstar.

Mia sat beside him in the sleek black dress Victoria had forced on her, his hand resting possessively on her thigh under the table. The heat of his palm burned through the fabric. She kept a tight smile plastered on her face while cameras clicked nonstop.

“Kai! Over here!”

“Smile for us, lovebirds!”

Kai leaned in and pressed a kiss to Mia’s temple for the photographers. “They’re eating this up,” he murmured against her skin, voice low enough for only her to hear. “Keep smiling, sweetheart.”

She dug her nails into his wrist under the table in response. He didn’t even flinch.

Victoria hovered at the side like a nervous general. Everything was going according to the carefully scripted damage control plan until one reporter raised his hand quickly and began.

“Kai, with the recent photos and rumors swirling, are you gay? And if not, how do you explain the sudden relationship announcement right after the scandal broke?”

The room went dead silent for half a second before erupting in murmurs.

Kai’s grin froze. His piercing green eyes sharpened dangerously. Under the table, his hand tightened on Mia’s thigh hard enough that she had to bite the inside of her cheek to stay silent.

He leaned forward, still smiling, but the charm now had a razor’s edge. “I’m here with my girlfriend, as you can clearly see. Mia and I are very happy together. Next question.”

But the reporter pushed. “So the club photos were fake? Or is this relationship just…”

“I said next question,” Kai cut in, voice still smooth but carrying a clear warning.

The rest of the press conference passed in a blur of forced laughter and rehearsed answers. Kai kept his arm around Mia the entire time, playing the perfect doting boyfriend, tucking her hair behind her ear, sharing lingering looks for the cameras. To the outside world, they looked madly in love, something very convincing to the public.

The second the formal session ended and the main press pool was ushered out, Kai’s mask shattered.

“Everyone out,” he barked at the remaining staff. “Now.”

Victoria tried to speak. “Kai, we need to..”

“I said get the fuck out!” He interrupted. People scrambled. Mia started to rise too, but Kai’s hand locked around her wrist. “Not you.”

The door clicked shut, leaving just the three of them Kai, Victoria, and Mia. The moment they were alone, Kai exploded.

He shot up from his chair, sending it crashing backward. “Are you fucking kidding me?!” He grabbed a stack of press kits off the table and hurled them across the room. Papers exploded like confetti. “That prick asked me if I’m gay on live camera! After everything we just fed them!”

“Kai, breathe” Victoria started.

“Breathe?!” He snatched a water bottle and flung it against the wall. It exploded, water spraying everywhere. “I’m out there grinning like an idiot, playing the good boyfriend with her” he jabbed a finger toward Mia “and they still don’t believe it! This whole thing is bullshit!”

His chest heaved, green eyes wild with fury. The golden boy was gone. In his place was a man who looked like he wanted to tear the entire academy apart.

Mia stood frozen, heart hammering. She’d seen him angry before, but this was different raw, unfiltered. Dangerous.

Victoria spoke carefully. “The post conference clips are already trending. We can spin this. Damage control is..”

“Spin this?” Kai laughed bitterly and swept his arm across the table, knocking over microphones and water glasses. The crash echoed loudly. “My entire career is on the line because some jealous asshole fabricated photos, and now I have to parade around with a girl who hates my guts just to prove I’m not gay? This is pathetic!” He turned on Mia, breathing hard, stepping so close she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. “And you. Sitting there like a fucking ice queen. You think this is fun for me? Pretending to be into you while the whole world waits for me to slip up?”

Mia’s temper snapped. She shoved at his chest, solid muscle that barely moved.

“Pretending? You’re the one who forced me into this, remember? Threatened to destroy my life if I didn’t play along. Maybe if you weren’t such an entitled asshole, people wouldn’t question your image so easily!”

For a second, pure rage flickered across his face. His hand came up, not to hit her, but to grip the back of her neck, pulling her even closer. Their faces were inches apart. She could feel the heat rolling off him, see the gold flecks in his furious green eyes.

“You have no idea what I’m capable of when I’m backed into a corner, Mia,” he growled, voice low and lethal. “Keep pushing me and I’ll make sure I disable your guts”

The door burst open. A young academy employee stood there, wide eyed, and holding a tablet. “Mr. Reynolds… the viral clip of you snapping at the reporter just hit two million views in ten minutes. Damon Voss is already live on social media calling it a proof the golden boy is cracking. Sponsors are calling Victoria’s line.”

Kai’s grip on Mia tightened for half a second before he released her. He turned away, running a hand through his messy hair, breathing like he’d just finished a qualifying lap.

Victoria cursed under her breath. “We need a new plan. Fast.”

Kai stared out the window toward the racetrack, jaw clenched so tight it looked painful. Then he looked back at Mia, something dark and determined settling over his expression.

“Fine,” he said, voice dangerously calm now. “If they want a show… we’ll give them one they’ll never forget.”

He stalked toward Mia again, backing her against the table. His eyes dropped to her lips for a split second before locking back on hers.

“Tomorrow night. High profile gala. You and me. And this time, we’re taking these to a next level.”