3. Paige
Chapter 3
Paige
T he morning light filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the boardroom, casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table. I stepped in, my spine straight and shoulders back, clutching my portfolio as if it were a lifeline. The room fell silent, eyes narrowing with scrutiny. The sponsors were an intimidating bunch, their tailored suits and calculated gazes a testament to their importance and wealth. I felt the weight of their expectations, their unspoken doubts about Richard Mathers’ sudden departure hanging in the air.
Sliding into the chair at the head of the table, I forced a calm smile, hoping it masked the swirl of anxiety beneath. Gideon Strong had trusted me with this—my first real test since joining the Serpents. The gravity of it wasn't lost on me.
"Good morning," I began, projecting confidence I wasn’t sure I felt. "Thank you all for being here today."
A few polite nods answered back, but skepticism lingered in their eyes.
“Given recent changes,” one of them started, “what assurances can you provide regarding the team's stability?”
I met his gaze squarely. "With Gideon Strong's leadership, we're ensuring a seamless transition. Ms. Mathers is taking her role as future owner seriously and is planning to graduate Crestwood Academy early, and our focus remains unwavering on our performance both on and off the ice."
They exchanged glances, processing my words.
"And Richard Mathers?" another voice piped up. "What about his sudden exit?"
I took a breath. "Richard's departure was indeed abrupt, but it was necessary for the team's best interest. We are already seeing positive impacts from these changes."
Their questions came steadily after that, each probing deeper into the team’s direction and stability. I fielded them all with steady composure, laying out plans and strategies that Gideon had shared with me. The more I spoke, the more their skepticism seemed to ease.
One sponsor leaned back in his chair, arms crossed but expression softening. “It sounds like you’ve got things under control.”
"We do," I replied with conviction.
The meeting neared its end; tension dissipated like morning fog under the sun. Nods replaced furrowed brows; tentative smiles replaced pursed lips.
As I closed my portfolio and stood up, a small spark of triumph flickered inside me. I'd faced down their doubts and emerged with their tentative trust.
Just as I was about to wrap things up, the door swung open, and Leo Wolfe strolled in. His presence shifted the atmosphere—immediate, palpable, and slightly unsettling. Leo walked into the room with an effortless charm that drew every eye, his tailored suit fitting perfectly with the high-stakes ambiance. My professional mask stayed firmly in place, but I couldn’t help noticing how the sponsors relaxed as soon as he entered. They exchanged knowing glances and easy smiles. Clearly, they were familiar with Leo or rather, with his family.
The Wolfe name carried weight here. Everyone knew Leo’s family had deep ties to power and money, though few knew the full extent of those connections. It wasn’t something spoken about in public, but I’d heard whispers—stories of behind-the-scenes deals and long-standing agreements with influential figures like Richard Mathers.
Leo’s grin and friendly demeanor made him instantly likable, even though I sensed the calculated confidence behind his charm. He greeted the sponsors like old friends, his presence subtly shifting the balance of the room. What had been my moment of control now felt like it was slipping into something more complicated.
“Paige Adams, right?” Leo said, turning his attention to me with that same disarming smile. He offered his hand, his grip warm but firm.
I met it with equal professionalism, though I felt the undercurrents of something more. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” he replied smoothly before turning back to the sponsors. “I see Paige has been handling things brilliantly. Just what this team needs. I'm sure my father will be happy to hear it. And with me as winger, we're practically guaranteed victory.”
A chorus of affirming murmurs filled the room.
“She’s been quite impressive,” one sponsor remarked.
Leo glanced at me with a twinkle in his eye. “Good to hear.”
The dynamic had shifted once again, but I stood my ground. “Thank you for your support,” I said to both Leo and the sponsors. “I look forward to working closely with all of you.”
Leo nodded approvingly before taking a seat at the table's end, instantly becoming part of the discussion as if he’d been there all along.
His entrance threw me off balance. He was just a player—what was he doing here, walking in like he owned the place? And his family, they weren’t just any family; they had roots deep in shady criminal organizations. I’d been told this was a straightforward sponsorship pitch, but with Leo here, things felt murkier. Unseen currents moved beneath the surface, and I wasn't sure what waters I was wading into.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ryker Kane standing at the back of the room. His arms were crossed, posture stiff, eyes locked on the interaction between Leo and me. His expression gave nothing away, but the tension radiating from him was almost tangible. It wasn’t just discomfort—it was sharper, more territorial.
Ryker had barely acknowledged my success during the previous meeting. But now, with Leo in the room, his focus had shifted intensely. It felt like he was sizing up a threat. I didn’t understand the full extent of Ryker’s reaction, but I sensed the shift in dynamics. Leo’s presence clearly bothered him, though whether it was about the sponsors, the shady connections, or something more personal, I couldn’t yet tell.
He leaned against the table casually, chatting with sponsors as if this were a social gathering rather than a high-stakes meeting. His charm seemed to smooth over any lingering doubts they had. Watching from the sidelines, my earlier triumph felt dulled by the realization that Leo’s influence ran deeper than I'd known. I had done my part, but there were layers to this world—layers I hadn’t fully peeled back yet.
The sponsors eventually started gathering their things, exchanging handshakes and polite farewells. Leo kept them engaged with light banter, each word further cementing his place in their good graces.
I turned to Ryker then, meeting his eyes for a brief moment. His jaw tightened slightly as he pushed off from where he stood and walked toward me.
"Adams," he said without preamble, his voice low and measured. "A word?"
I nodded and followed him out of the room. The corridor outside was quieter but still buzzing with the day's energy.
"How can I help you, Mr. Kane?" I asked as soon as we were out of earshot.
He glanced back at the closed door before turning to me fully. "Let's cut the shit. I don't want you here. But you should know, Leo’s family has interests that go beyond just playing hockey," he began. "His father... let’s just say there are business deals that aren’t exactly above board."
I frowned. "And you think that affects us how?"
"It affects everything," Ryker replied grimly. "Sponsorships, team decisions—it all gets tangled up when people like Leo get involved."
The complexity of it all began to sink in. This wasn’t just about hockey; it was about power plays off the ice too.
"Leo's a decent player. I’ve watched him at practice over the summer." Ryker's eyes narrowed as he spoke, each word measured and deliberate. "But I wouldn’t be surprised if his father sent him here to spy on the team."
"Why would he do that?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.
"He wants to buy the team," he said, his tone carrying an edge of impatience. "It's the perfect way to launder money."
"Does Leo know?" I asked, trying to piece it all together.
Ryker’s gaze turned icy, like he was looking at an ignorant child. Frustration flared inside me, but I kept my expression neutral. "Of course he does. He's his father's right hand. And here I thought you did your research."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Don't see it as me helping you," he replied. "My focus, my priority, is what's best for the team. And you aren't it. Since you're too damn stubborn to see that, I'll do what I need to do to show the others what I see."
"Are you threatening me?"
"I'm telling you to watch your back, Adams. Run away if you have to. You're good at that." He paused. "Alexander Wolfe wants what's best for the team, as do I. And I'm going to expose any dirty secret you might have. Unless you want to walk away now and save everyone the time?"
My face burned with a mix of anger and humiliation. But I pushed it aside, careful not to let my emotions show. "It's commendable how much you care about your team, Mr. Kane," I said evenly. "Especially considering how you aren't close to anyone in your family."
His jaw tightened, a subtle tic betraying his otherwise controlled demeanor.
"I do do my research," I continued. "I'm sure you remember the strain between you and Brendan because you left as soon as you could to get away from —"
"Don't," he warned.
I clenched my teeth. Maybe it wasn't right, bringing that up. "You view this team as your family, correct? I hope to prove to you that I'm here to do what's best for the team too, regardless of our past."
Ryker’s eyes widened, just a fraction, but it was enough to know I’d struck a chord. He clearly hadn’t expected my response.
For a split second, his facade cracked. "I didn’t realize you’d be this stubborn," he muttered, the bite in his words losing some of its edge. "I should have known."
"Persistent and committed," I shot back. "To the team." A beat. "Like you."
"I am nothing like you," he snapped.
"You don't run when things get hard?" I arched a brow.
He stood there, assessing me, a storm of emotions flickering behind his eyes. Then he turned on his heel and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. My heart pounded against my ribs as I watched him go. The reality of his threat hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and foreboding. If Ryker truly dug into my past, what would he find? Could he unravel everything I’d worked so hard to keep together?
But I couldn’t let fear paralyze me now.
"Paige."
Leo’s voice pulled me back to the present. I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his presence filling the space with an easy confidence.
"Glad I caught you," he said, stepping closer until he towered over me.
"What do you need, Mr. Wolfe?" I asked, masking the anxiety Ryker had left simmering under my skin.
"Mr. Wolfe is my father," he said with an affable smile. "You can call me Leo."
I cocked my head to the side. I was sure he wanted some kind of response to his obvious flirtation, but I wasn't interested in giving him one. Especially not with Ryker breathing down my neck, dead-set on getting rid of me.
"Can I help you?" I asked again when he remained silent.
He glanced back at the now-empty boardroom before meeting my eyes again. "Just wanted to say you handled that meeting well. Not everyone can stand up to those sponsors like that."
I offered a small smile. "Thanks. It’s part of the job."
His expression softened slightly. "It’s more than just part of the job, Paige. It’s about knowing how to navigate this world."
I tilted my head slightly, studying him. There was something in his tone—a hint of something more profound than just a casual compliment.
"And you’re good at it," he continued. "Better than most people give you credit for."
"Appreciate it," I replied cautiously. Compliments from Leo felt like gifts wrapped in barbed wire—attractive but dangerous if handled wrong.
"I mean it." His eyes held mine for a moment longer before he straightened up and glanced down the hall where Ryker had disappeared.
"Keep an eye on Ryker," Leo added, his voice dropping slightly. "He’s not one to let things go easily. Honestly, he's kind of a dick."
"I will," I assured him, though my mind raced with what that truly meant.
"Oh," he said, almost as an afterthought. "There is one sponsor that isn't pleased with Mathers' forced departure. I hear they're going to pull funding unless there's a meeting or something. I thought you should know."
"What?" My eyes went wide. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Leo shrugged, his expression indifferent. "People here don't trust outsiders," he said. "I should know. But I figure, you and me, we stick together, huh?"
A suspicion crept into my mind. Were they purposefully keeping something like this from me because of how Ryker felt about me? Did they want to show where they stood? And how did Leo know?
Then again, with his father being who he was, maybe he was privy to that kind of information.
Or maybe I was the only one who didn't know.
My teeth clenched as frustration bubbled beneath the surface.
"You're cute when you're angry," Leo remarked, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "You get this wrinkle across your nose?—"
I realized he was still there, watching me closely. This wasn’t the time or place to react. Not in front of an audience that could easily misconstrue my emotions as weakness.
"Well," I said, my voice slightly strained but steady, "thanks for letting me know."
His smirk widened, but he didn't push further. "Anytime," he said before turning on his heel and walking away.
As soon as he was out of sight, I exhaled slowly, trying to release the tension coiled within me. I needed to address this sponsor issue immediately and figure out who else was keeping secrets around here. My role required trust and communication; without it, everything would crumble.
I straightened my shoulders and made my way down the hall, my steps purposeful and resolute. There was no room for hesitation now—I had to confront this head-on and prove my worth not just to the team but to myself.
I walked briskly down the hall, the success of the sponsorship pitch now a distant memory. The swirling politics and news of an unhappy sponsor weighed heavily on my mind. Leo’s connections, Ryker’s tension, and the sponsors' unease—all of it more than I had anticipated. If I was going to succeed here, I needed to figure out exactly what role everyone played.
And more importantly, who could be trusted.
First on my list was Gideon. He’d introduced me to the team, vouched for me. He might have some insight into this mess. I headed to his office, my footsteps echoing in the otherwise empty corridor.
Gideon sat at his desk, engrossed in paperwork when I entered. He looked up, eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Paige," he greeted, setting his pen down. "What brings you here?"
"We need to talk," I said, closing the door behind me. "Wolfe just informed me that one of our sponsors is unhappy and might pull funding."
Gideon's expression darkened. "Which sponsor?"
"He didn’t specify," I replied, frustration creeping into my voice. "But he mentioned it casually, like it wasn’t a big deal."
"It is a big deal," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "We can't afford to lose any sponsors right now."
"Why wasn't I told about this earlier?" I demanded. "If there's something affecting the team this significantly, I need to know."
He sighed deeply. "It’s complicated, Paige. There are layers of politics here that you’re just starting to see."
"I’m aware," I replied evenly. "But keeping me in the dark isn’t helping anyone."
He leaned back in his chair, regarding me thoughtfully. "You’re right," he admitted after a moment. "I should have been more transparent with you. The truth is, some people don’t trust you yet."
"Because of Ryker?" I guessed.
He nodded slowly. "His opinion carries weight with the team and the sponsors. If he’s skeptical of you..."
"It affects everything," I finished for him.
"Exactly."
I clenched my fists at my sides, feeling a surge of determination. "I need names and details about this unhappy sponsor," I said firmly.
Gideon studied me for a moment before nodding again. "All right. I’ll get you that information."
"Thank you." I turned to leave but paused at the door. "I appreciate your support."
"You are what’s best for the team, Paige," he replied seriously. “If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be here.”
I left his office with a new resolve burning inside me. Navigating this web of politics and trust was going to be more challenging than I’d thought, but giving up wasn’t an option.