13. Lockheart #2
“He’s breathing still. Just knocked out.” Charlie's short staccato sentence breaks me from my spell and I shoot into action as he orders, “We need to get him secured quickly, Lockheart.”
We work together with Brady and Marcello to get the big lump up off the floor and leaning against the leg of the island in the middle of Nico’s kitchen.
Teresa expertly handcuffs him to the leg and I give a quick glance at the boys, all of whom share the same impressed but horrified expression on their faces.
“How the fu-udge did you know how to do that, lady?” Brady asks a grinning Teresa, as I shoot him a ‘what the fuck, dude’ look.
“Now that would be telling, and I need at least two drinks before I start spilling secrets.” She winks at Brady who grins from ear to ear.
My attention turns to Nico who’s still looking dazed. “You guys got him covered?” My eyes never leave Nico.
“Yep, go look after your girl,” Brady encourages me with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
I ignore him and his irritating ways and stride over to Nico, bending down to cup her cheek. “You okay?” She nuzzles into my hand and I dip down so I can kiss her head.
“Where did you come from? I didn’t want you to save me. It’s not your job, Owen.” Her eyes are still slightly unfocused, and I smirk when I think back to Brady's comment about everyone knowing she's my girl but her.
“It is my job, Nico. Now come on. Let’s get you up and make sure you’re alright.”
I try to pick her up and ignore the twinge in my back, but she’s alert enough now that she notices it and squirms so I put her down again.
“Shit, Owen. Don’t injure yourself. Jaxson, help him.” Brady jumps up and takes two steps toward me.
“Brady, you touch me and I’ll make sure I’m not the only fucker on the team with aches in his body. I’m fine.” I grit my teeth and scowl at him and watch as he dances on the spot.
“I don’t know what to do right now. My momma taught me to help senior citizens, but I don’t wanna get my ass kicked. Marcello, what do I do?” he shouts over his shoulder, and I can’t help but grin at the little shit’s quick wit.
I stand up quickly, scooping Nico up in my arms, and turn to look at them all pointedly.
“I think he’s good, bro.” Marcello grins back at us.
I have Nico pressed closely against my chest, and I don’t want to let her go but she’s squirming against me.
I look down into her amber eyes and she looks away quickly, embarrassment flooding her features.
I want to take her into a private room and kiss the humiliation away.
Let her know I want to be the one to help her from here on out.
But a groan from the floor grabs my attention and Nico flinches back.
“What the fucks going on? You’re messing with the wrong people here motherfuckers. Let me go.”
Everyone looks to me, and I have to fight every nerve in my body to carry out this part of the plan with precision and intelligence instead of pounding on this arsehole's head. “I think it’s you who’s messed with the wrong people, mate.”
Before I can say anything else, a phone on the floor near him starts ringing.
I stride over to it and snatch it up as he bares his teeth at me.
The screen says The Boss and I start laughing as I show it to him.
“Well this cuts out the middleman, doesn’t it?
” He growls in frustration as I answer the phone.
“Grant, what’s taking so long? Has the little bitch got my money?”
I draw in a sharp breath hearing him talk about Nico like that.
“Grant’s otherwise engaged at the moment. You could say he’s tied up. I need a little chat with you though.” I watch Nico as I speak. Her eyes flash gratitude, fear, and acceptance.
“Who are you?” The menacing voice asks, and I chuckle.
“Owen Lockheart.”
“The goalie for Heath Hampstead? No way. I’m a huge fan. How are our paths crossing?” The change in his tone goes from merciless to polite and businesslike as soon as he hears my name.
“The one and only. The woman you're attempting to extort money out of, she’s mine. She owes you nothing.”
Amber orbs lock with my own as those words fall from my lips, and I wink at her. Her cheeks flush red but she doesn’t look away. The embarrassment fleeing from her eyes is replaced with those flames I love.
“Extort is such a dirty word.” He chuckles. “Her dad owes me a lot of…”
“Her dad. Not her. But because I’m not a bad guy, I’ll settle a part of the debt within reason.
But any other money he owes is on him. Not her or us.
And if you come to me for another penny, or this gets out in the press, just know, I have enough evidence on you and your racketeering business to put you in prison for a long time.
The police commissioner is a huge Heath Hampstead fan, met him a few times, even signed some merch for his son,” I scowl at Grant who’s mumbling under his breath.
“Understood. I didn’t know she was so well connected.
Consider the debt cleared after this payment.
Do I need to tell you how much? Or can I assume a man as affluent as yourself will be able to work out a suitable amount.
” I can imagine him smiling sweetly whilst talking but wanting to decapitate me in the process.
“You won’t be disappointed with the amount.”
“I’ll have someone pick Grant and the money up in thirty minutes. I appreciate the discretion and good luck for next season, Lockheart.”
I throw the phone onto Grant's lap and take immense pleasure in hearing him groan when it hits his balls. He brings his knees up and blows a breath out.
“By the way, Grant, your boss is coming to rescue you in half an hour. I’m sure he’s really excited to hear your version of events.”
A loud groan fills the room as I drop an envelope of cash on the counter top, walk over to Nico, grab her hand, and walk out the door with the others following closely behind me. Now it’s time to talk.