Prologue
AMELIA
Four years ago
I’ve never really been a fan of New York City.
Maybe it’s because I didn’t really grow up here. I’ve spent most of my life in Switzerland, Sweden, France and the UK. My dad made sure to send me to different boarding schools and institutions to get a good education.
Education that’s interwoven with strong Christian values.
I can’t say that it worked. Not if you look at me now.
Lucky for me, this is just a quick three-day trip before he is shipping me back off to London.
He insisted I be here for ‘the sake of appearances’, so I’m going to make sure I ‘appear’ in all my glory.
Using his platinum card this afternoon, I got myself an over the top dress for tonight’s gala event.
He might not approve of it, but it perfectly shows off the tattoo I got on my back, in honor of having to attend this lovely event.
“So, you’re the star player on the team?” I ask the guy in a suit, who’s standing way too close to me. He’s got the look of a hockey player who knows he’s in the spotlight.
My dad has been working for almost two years to sign him away from the Oilers. At the start of the season, he finally succeeded. It’s all he ever talks about—the success of his team.
All his time and energy goes into building the Rangers into the best team in the league.
That’s the only reason I’m even here. For his beloved team. Not because he wants to spend time with me.
“I sure am.” His teeth are very straight. It almost looks fake. With him being a hockey player, it’s not completely unheard of. “Last season I led the league in points, and I’m looking to do the same as a Ranger.”
His stats don’t really impress me. In my mind all of them are aiming to be the next Gretzky. What I do know is that he is valuable to my dad, who’s the GM of the New York Rangers.
Ever since mom died, he’s been giving all his time and effort to the Rangers. It paid off, I guess. He took the GM position a few years ago, and he’s doing great things for the team so far. I know this player is very important to him.
“That must mean you’re invaluable,” I say with an extra wide smile, which seems to be the exact response he’s looking for.
A waiter walks past me, and I grab another champagne flute off the tray, drinking it way too fast. A quick scan around the room tells me my dad isn’t close. I’m sure he’ll find me sooner or later, especially if I’m next to the guy he’s throwing this party for.
On our way over here, Harry didn’t say much. Not a word about the dress I bought that costs more than my entire wardrobe back in London, or the way anything about the lily tattoo running up my spine.
Before we got out, he did give me one, firmly set rule: Behave.
If that wasn’t a challenge, I don’t know what is.
“What’s your name again?” I ask, the hockey star staring at me with stars in his eyes.
“Dukowski,” he says, smiling broadly again. I know he’s giving me the smile he gives countless others. It’s not hard to see why women fall at his feet. He’s hot in that very obvious pro-athlete way. He’s hard to miss.
But I remember growing up my mom used to say, ‘A hot man is everyone’s man.’
She always encouraged me to marry someone who the word ‘hot’ can not be attributed to.
“Sure,” I tell him. “I’m going to call you ‘Duke’ if that’s okay? I might butcher your poor name.”
He steps closer, a smile on his face. “You can call me whatever you want,” he says, his voice low and filled with suggestion.
I’m not entirely sure what my reasoning is right now.
What I do know is that I’m angry. Looking back on the way I grew up, I’ve had more opportunities than most, but I didn’t have the undivided attention and devotion my father gives to his team.
So instead of listening to the voice of reason, I run in the opposite direction, following Duke to a side entrance to get more privacy.
Because for a moment, this feels like the only way to control the situation. Being in this hallway, alone with my father’s star player, is the only way to make this trip about me and what I want, not about his orders or expectations.
Two wrongs have never made a right, but for now, it’s all I’ve got.
“Get your hands off my daughter,” my father’s angry voice cuts through the moment as he pulls Duke away from me.
“Harry,” he stammers, his eyes wide with shock as he looks between the two of us. If he didn’t see the resemblance before, he’s seeing it now.
“You can pack your bags,” my father bites out. “Now.”
“What?” Dukowski asks, a panicked look in his eyes. “You can’t do that. I signed a contract.”
Harry gets in his face, seething. “Try me.”
“Harry, that wasn’t—” I start but he turns toward me, livid. Somewhere inside of me relief settles in my chest, but it’s buried beneath indignation.
“What were you thinking?” he practically hisses at me. “I asked you one thing, Amelia, one thing. Behave.”
“We were not making a scene,” I try to defend, knowing it’s useless. When my dad makes up his mind, it’s done. “We’re two adults—”
“Acting like children,” Harry finishes for me. He turns to his star player once again. “What are you waiting for? I’m not going to change my mind. You’re out.”
“Unbelievable,” he mutters, running his hand through his hand. “We’ll talk—”
“No, we won’t,” Harry cuts him off again.
I watch as Duke storms off kicking a chair in the hallway. Harry watches him until he’s out of sight before he turns back to me.
“You take no responsibility, Amelia,” my dad starts in his usual reprimanding tone. Over the years, I’ve taken it. I’ve swallowed all his disappointment, buried it in a neat little box in the corner of my mind, labeled ‘disgrace’.
But that box is spilling over now.
“You wanted me here,” I remind him. “You insisted I be here. Despite me having work responsibilities in London.”
“Work responsibilities…” he mutters condescendingly. “This family comes first.”
I can’t help but scoff at him for using the word ‘family’ like it means something to either of us. “Excuse me? Since when?”
“It’s always been that way, Amelia. You know we have certain obligations.”
“All I know is that I wasn’t allowed to attend my own mother’s funeral!” I shout. “Where was ‘family first’ then?” I yell, tears burning my eyes.
My dad breathes heavily, his nostrils flaring as he tries to calm down. We have always bumped heads. My mom was the perfect buffer, but since she’s not here anymore, we can’t seem to see eye to eye. We always miss the mark.
“I’ll call Lou and he’ll take you home,” Harry says simply. “You can pack and head back to London.”
His words are clipped, final, leaving no room for argument. I should be used to it by now, but still hurt blossoms in my chest, the need to cry burning through me.
Dismissed. Again.
“Don’t cause more of a scene. You can go back to your job,” he says. His features suddenly softening slightly before it hardens again. “I won’t call you to these events again.”
Something inside me cracks. Another broken shard of what our relationship is supposed to be.
I hate how everything gets twisted between us.
Everything feels like it’s red-hot, sharp, and ready to harm.
I turn around without another word. What would it help anyway. He’s not in a place to listen to me.
“And cover that tattoo!” he calls after me.
I shove the door open, harder than I mean to. The sound of shattering glass reaches my ears, along with a low groan of pain.
“I’m sorry,” I start, freezing as I’m faced with a man holding what’s left of a broken glass in his hand while the other covers a cut above his eye.
“Oh my…” I reach out instinctively but he moves away from me, jaw tightening.
“Let me help you—”
“Nope,” he says, looking at me with slight recognition in his eyes. “I’m fine.”
He’s clearly a player. Broad shoulders and solid frame. Although there’s something different about the way he holds himself. There’s no ego or arrogance coming off this man. Only steady confidence.
“Please, let me—”
“I said I’m fine,” he says again, this time moving past me, effectively ending our conversation, his stride sure and unhurried as he leaves.
Maybe I should just find Lou and leave. My father’s promise of not calling on me doesn’t feel like such a blessing anymore. But maybe it’s for the best that we stay out of each other’s way…for now.
From Ice to Love: Coming Summer 2026