Chapter 32 #2
But leaving the mafia behind isn’t an option. Not with all I’ve seen, all I know. When women like Harper are taken, I can’t just ignore the horrors when we can do something to stop it.
Law enforcement isn’t an option.
I’ve gotten my hands far too dirty to become one of the good guys.
Sitting on the couch with Zeke in my lap, there’s a strong knock on the front door. It’s Sunday afternoon. My father gave us the day off because he thinks we have hockey practice.
It gives me the day to spend with my family.
I place Zeke on the sofa and wander to the door, glancing through the peephole.
I never thought I’d see him on my front porch.
Yanking open the door, I come face-to-face with Kyler Greyson, Bristol’s father.
“Mr. Greyson,” I say, a stupid grin written all over my face.
Zeke jumps down from the sofa to see who is at the door.
“Luca, is my daughter here?”
“Bristol! Liam! You have company!” I shout into the void. They’re cooped up in Liam’s bedroom, doing who knows what—actually, I’m pretty sure I know what, and I don’t think her father would approve.
“Come inside,” I offer, opening the door farther and letting him enter the house.
He steps inside, glances around, taking in our living arrangements.
“Hi,” Zeke says, smiling shyly up at the stranger.
“Hey, little buddy.” Kyler bends down to Zeke’s level and my little man glances Kyler over like he’s sizing him up.
“Do you play hockey?” Zeke asks.
Our kid probably thinks everyone plays hockey, but he has no idea he’s standing in front of a legend.
“I used to,” Kyler says and taps Zeke’s nose.
Zeke giggles, and Kyler stands just as Bristol comes waltzing down the hallway. Her eyes widen when she sees who the guest is.
“Dad?” Bristol glances over her shoulder toward Liam. There’s a silent exchange between them before forcing a smile at her father.
Liam hasn’t surfaced yet from around the hallway, but I imagine he’s fixing his clothes or trying to look presentable.
“Your paperwork came through and you were accepted to Evergreen University for next semester.”
“I know,” Bristol says. “That’s not why you’re here.”
“You’re right. The holidays are coming, and we’d like you and your boyfriend to come spend them with us.”
Bristol folds her arms across her chest and steps closer to her father while I grab Zeke and pull him to sit with me on the sofa. We should probably leave the room and give them privacy, but Harper is taking a nap, and I don’t want to wake her.
“That depends, are you willing to accept that I’m dating a hockey player?”
“We’re inviting both of you—”
Bristol cuts him off, “An invitation and accepting someone are two different things.”
Kyler expels a breath. “I’m not happy you’re dating a hockey player, but I’d like the opportunity to get to know your boyfriend. Maybe then I can make an informed decision about him.”
Bristol snorts. “You sound like Mom.”
His eyes crinkle.
“Is that so bad?” Kyler asks.
“I’ll talk with Liam—”
Liam rounds the corner, wrapping an arm around Bristol’s waist. “Yes, we’ll come over for the holidays. Thank you for inviting us.”
She glares up at Liam.
“What?” he asks, oblivious to the tension.
Kyler clears his throat. “I also came here to speak with Luca. Do you have somewhere we might have a little chat?”
“Yeah, sure,” I say and stand, gesturing for him to join me in the study lounge. It’s not exactly private with closed doors, but it’s not in the living room in front of everyone, either.
I glance at Zeke and give him a kiss. “Will you stay here and watch some cartoons for Daddy?” I grab the remote and turn the channel on to something he’d much prefer, in hopes of keeping him occupied.
Zeke is hooked to the television, and I lead Kyler Greyson to the study where we have a table set up and a couple of chairs. “What can I help you with, sir?” I ask, unsure why he’s asking to speak with me alone.
If he’s expecting me to spy on Bristol and Liam or give him details about my friend, he’s going to be sorely disappointed. Liam is like a brother to me, especially after he helped with Harper’s rescue.
I owe him.
“Have a seat,” he suggests as we approach the table, and I grab a seat across from him as he sits.
His tone makes me nervous.
“I’ve been watching your play, studying your hockey career closely. You’re twenty, is that correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
He’s asking because the hockey draft ends when you hit twenty-one; you’re no longer eligible, at which point you’re eligible solely as a free agent.
“Have you thought about playing professionally?” Kyler asks.
I try not to laugh at the absurdity of the question. Of course, I’ve thought about it.
“What athlete hasn’t thought about it?” I say, trying not to smile, hoping that he’s not messing with me.
He doesn’t seem like the type, but that doesn’t mean since he doesn’t like Liam, he might not like me.
“Let me give you my card and my information. We’d be happy to take you and your family out to dinner, answer any questions that you might have.”
My breath catches in my throat. Is this seriously happening?
Is he actually asking me about joining the hockey draft? Being a top prospect is huge.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Kyler says. “I’ve seen you on the ice at Predators games and the other night when you played the Tigers. I’ll admit, I was disappointed when you left early, but my daughter informed me of the reason. I do hope your wife is doing well.”
“She’s better,” I say, expelling a heavy breath, relieved that Harper and the baby are both healthy.
“That’s good to hear,” Kyler says, and he genuinely seems concerned and pleased at the news. “Off the record, I do need to know if your father, Dante Ricci, will be an issue if you’re drafted.” His dark stare feels icy as he awaits my answer.
My jaw tightens as I stare at Kyler. My gaze flinches slightly as I can’t help but wonder what Bristol told him of us. How much does he know?
The silence between us feels heavy, like a dark cloud about ready to rain down on the space between us.
Kyler clears his throat. “Emerson works for Eagle Tactical,” he says, as if that clarifies his question.
When I don’t say anything, merely size him up, he continues talking, as though he’s trying to explain himself. Does he fear me, or is it my father he’s afraid of?
“My wife knows what really happened in Vegas.”
A heavy breath leaves my lips and I sigh.
I suppose he knows as well. No one seems good at keeping secrets these days.
“I hope you can use discretion,” I say, not wanting it to sound like a threat but also realizing the capacity of what happened, the danger that lurks in spelling it out for anyone who might cause more harm to our family and friends.
“How do you think you flew out and back to Vegas?” Kyler asks.
I’m silent, considering his question. I had assumed Dante had owned the plane, but it’s not as though we ever took any private flights anywhere. Dante wasn’t one to leave home very often, his job always keeping him nearby and busy.
“We appreciate the use of your private plane,” I say, the gratefulness far more formal. I can’t help but wonder what he’s getting at. Why tell me these things? What does he hope to achieve?
“I’m not looking for thanks, Luca. I’m just making you aware, I know who your father is. I know what he expects of you as his only heir.”
I inhale sharply and bite down on my tongue to keep from saying something regrettable.
Kyler Greyson doesn’t know all of it. He doesn’t know about the danger posed to my family, about Harper being forced to work for Dante after protecting Zeke and Nova when a man broke into our home to take our son.
My silence stretches on, and Kyler continues speaking, calmly, clearly, making his point heard.
“I would expect if you were drafted that you would leave the business dealings aside while you play hockey. We can’t afford to lose an integral part of our team.
I would also need reassurance that your alliance would be to the team.
No gambling or throwing games, nothing sinister happening in order to appease Dante or any of his men. ”
I stare into Kyler’s dark gaze. “I assure you, sir, that my loyalty, if I were drafted, would be to the team. I’ve never cheated and wouldn’t start now.
My father understands that hockey is my lifeblood.
And while I might be his only heir, he has come to accept that if I’m drafted, I will choose that over him. ”
I leave out the part where I’ve promised to work for Dante after my career is over and then my wife is tied to the business. If I’m drafted, then she’ll be working for my father. My stomach does little flip-flops at that thought, but there’s still time to renegotiate that deal with my father.
Kyler’s nostrils flare as he inhales sharply and nods. “Understand, Luca, that I don’t wish to get on Dante’s bad side.”
I can’t help but laugh. “You and me both. But you don’t have to worry, I know how to handle my father. Just give me a few days to let him know, talk to him, before any press releases are made about my name entering the draft, please.”