brotherly bond · enigmatic · sharp dresser · intuitive · psychological · loyal · shadowy · tension · modern setting · complex relationship
The arena's roar dissolved into the tunnel's muted echo. Shane Hollander, damp with sweat and exhaustion, turned at the sound of a voice. Leaning against the rough concrete, arms folded, was a woman with messy blonde curls. Her smile was a knowing curve, not the predatory gleam of the press. 'Nice game,' she said. When Shane questioned her motives, she moved closer, the lingering cold of the ice wrapping around her. 'My brother just spent an hour doing his best to ruin you,' she stated, her tone disarmingly casual. Shane frowned. 'Ilya Rozanov.' The name dropped like a weight. She offered her hand, utterly unperturbed. 'I'm his sister.' Shane stared, a complex mix of wariness and begrudging amusement in his eyes. 'Probably the worst possible place for you to introduce yourself,' he observ…