Page 55 of Elias

“Fights almost never occur,” Nell said. “I’ve been scanning data while we’ve been talking. In ninety percent of all claims, one side relents, so a physical fight never takes place.”

Hayley smiled tentatively. “That’s great! Do you think that will happen in this case?”

“The statistics are in your favor,” Nell said.

Her smile faded. “Princess Isolt is evil. She’s holding an enormous grudge against Elias.”

“But will she want to get her pretty face messed up by your fist?” Vegas asked. “Retar females are known for their vainness. Looks are everything when you’re a Retar.”

“Then I need to learn how to punch.”

Vegas huffed out a breath. “I’ll ask Solan to give you some pointers. He lives and breathes fighting. If nothing else, he can teach you how to avoid breaking your fingers when you land a punch.”

“Thanks, I need all the help I can get.” Nervousness skittered through Hayley as the reality of her situation sank in. This felt serious, and she wasn’t sure she was up to the challenge.

“You have our full support,” Nell said. “You can do this.”

Hayley nodded. “I don’t suppose I can get someone to stand in and fight for me, can I? I hear Avril’s pretty handy to have in a fight.” Avril trained regularly to ensure she was top of her game in the virtual reality world.

Nell chuckled. “Her fighting skills are for fun only. She kicks fantasy dragon butt but not real-life princesses.”

“If you need to take time off work, we’ll cover for you,” Vegas said. “It sounds like this will happen quickly. Diadora won’t know anything is going on. You need to focus on keeping your man safe.”

Hayley grinned and blushed. “He’s not mine.”

“He so is yours,” Nell said. “Even if you don’t know it yet, you’ll have this Retar in your life for as long as you want him.”

Hayley wanted that. She wanted everything with Elias and would fight to keep him safe. She was glad to have Vegas and Nell’s support. It meant everything to have people on her side, rooting for her and looking out for her.

“There’s one other thing,” Hayley said. “I need a representative to sit on the committee. There will be two Retar dignitaries. They have a single vote. I need someone to look out for me and make sure they play fair. Vegas, I know you’ve got a lot on your mind with the baby coming—”

“Of course, I’ll help. One little baby bump won’t stop me from kicking Retar butt if they get unruly. Besides, Retars love children. If I’m there, along with my bump, they might soften toward you. We’ll use every trick in the book to make this go your way.”

“Thanks.” Hayley felt this might just work. She had her awesome friends on her side, a warrior to show her how to fight, and someone waiting for her who might just be the love of her life.

“I’ll clear your work for the next couple of days,” Vegas said. “We’ll make the matches, and as long as the figures come in on target, Diadora won’t notice anything is off. You go look after your guy.”

Hayley blew out a breath. “It’s so good of you to help.”

“Always. We’ve got your back. Now go.”

Hayley hurried out of the office, her head full of strategies and ideas on ways she could beat this challenge. She hurried to her quarters and collapsed on her couch. This had to work. She would beat Princess Isolt.

She opened a visual comm link to the hospital her sister was in. Sally would have some useful advice. She’d tell her this wasn’t crazy, fighting to the death for a guy she’d known for a couple of months.

After a few seconds, the link established. “Regal Hospital,” the narrow-faced receptionist said.

“Sally Goodacre, please.”

The receptionist looked away from the screen. “Are you family?”

She always hated that question; it meant something bad was going on. “She’s my sister.”

The receptionist nodded. “There’s a note to keep all conversations short. Sally had trouble with her breathing this morning.”

Hayley hesitated. Should she bother her sister when she was so ill?

“Connecting you now.” Before she’d had a chance to change her mind, the screen image altered, and Sally’s face appeared. They both had the same pale blonde hair and freckled skin, but Sally’s blue eyes were a darker shade and her cheeks hollow from recent weight loss.