Chapter Thirty-Six Bryden （Mountain）
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
brYDEN (MOUNTAIN)
We’ve been here over an hour, the party nearly at capacity now. It’s been a few days since I let them convince me to go along with this asinine plan.
Breaking into the chancellor’s office? I’ve never broken into anything in my life. Haven’t even been grounded before, always following the rules. But here am, stepping completely outside of myself because there’s no way I could sit this out.
All I know is that if Sam is in any kind of danger, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Including risking expulsion. Because that’s absolutely what’s going to happen if we get caught.
But if all goes as planned, Alex will sneak in, clone the files, and get out before anyone notices we’re gone. Gracie’s supposed to keep an eye on the party and signal to Kane if the chancellor or anyone else for that matter comes that way, while Alex, Sam, and I search the office.
Speaking of Sam, I throw my gaze around, checking to see if she’s finally arrived. She and Gracie sent us ahead of them so they could take their time getting ready. Besides, people would be suspicious if all five of us arrived at the same time, perhaps a dead giveaway.
She’s nowhere in sight, though. Removing my phone from the inside pocket of my red and black blazer, I check to see if she texted. She hasn’t.
Bryden: Are you here?
I hit send and glance around. It’s crowded, the faces of everyone but who I want to see line my vision. Jackson’s here. My jaw clenches at the sight of him.
It’s been hard not confronting him, but I made Sam a promise, and I don’t break my word. Beside him are his brother and their group of flunkies. Christina and her friends are a few feet away at the open bar.
My phone vibrates and I peer down at it.
Collins: Gracie and I just parked out front. I’ll come find you.
I stuff the phone back in my pocket as someone taps me on the shoulder. It’s one of the senators. He comes to every party and never misses a game.
“Congratulations. Can’t wait to see you boys crush the conference.”
“Yes, sir,” is all I give, accompanied with a grateful nod.
He moves, turning his attention to a local businessman. They shake hands, moving on as if there isn’t anyone else around them. People sway around me while my eyes find Alex across the way.
Clearly, he’s being forced into a conversation with his dad and one of the donors, if the snarl on his mug is saying anything. He brings a tumbler to his lip, stopping mid-sip as he stares off in the distance, obviously distracted by something.
I follow his gaze, and the moment I see what he sees, the whole world stops. The room quiets—at least it does for me. Sam stands in the foyer with Gracie at her side. She’s peering around, nervous but also the most beautiful woman in here.
And that dress—God, that dress. It’s black, and simple, but perfect for her.
It hugs her waist like it was stitched together on her body, then flares out at her hips with subtle ruffles.
It’s effortless, stopping just above her knee, showing off surprisingly toned legs.
And the heels she’s wearing look like sin.
The kind of sin I’ll never recover from.
My jaw ticks and I tell myself to look away, but I can’t.
It should be a crime to want someone as bad as I want her. I’ve tried to ignore the feeling, tried to pretend we were nothing more than friends. But that ship sailed the first time she smiled at me.
Finally, she finds me in the crowd, the smile spreading across her face bringing one to mine.
She nudges Gracie and points in my direction.
Gracie nods as Sam steps farther into the house, weaving through the sea of people.
From the corner of my eye, I notice Kane and Alex watching, their muscles tensing at the sight of her.
Then I catch Jackson tipping his head in her direction, while Christina and her friends stare in disbelief.
It’s obvious they didn’t expect to see her here, and they probably hate that she looks more like she belongs here than they do.
It’s funny how heavy she stays on their minds, while she couldn’t care less that they exist. She glides gracefully toward me, that smile of hers getting wider.
“Well, well. Someone cleans up nice?” she says once she’s within earshot. “I love the outfit.”
Heat creeps up my neck, and I bite back a grin.
“Thanks,” I respond and lick my lips. “You look stunning.”
She stares down at her dress then back at me. “I tried.”
I don’t respond and just fully take her in.
“Where are the others?” she asks.
I point to Alex. “Alex is talking to his father.”
Sam follows my finger, her eyes lighting up when she spots him. He raises his glass, tipping his head in acknowledgment.
“Kane’s over there, talking with one of our sponsors.”
She finds him standing all the way on the other side of the floor.
We’re separated by an oversize fixture in the center of the foyer.
It never ceases to amaze me how massive Alex’s childhood home is.
The living room area is one open floor plan that spans the width of the house, two enclaves of space on both ends. It’s like it was made for hosting.
I get why Alex despises this life; it’s flashy and fake. Always having to perform for a bunch of people you couldn’t care less about has to be exhausting.
Sam’s spine straightens when Kane peers back at her.
I suck in a breath, watching her interaction with the guys who are like brothers to me.
I roll my shoulder and tug on my collar.
She focuses on me again, slipping her arm through mine.
A tingle races up my spine, but I push it down to play it cool.
She doesn’t even realize what she’s doing to us. She’s turned us into a bunch of guys who can’t breathe properly in her presence. Heartbeats race; words get jumbled in our minds.
“Hey,” someone says behind us.
We glance back to Gracie, and Sam scoots over to make space for her. I instantly miss the closeness.
“When are we going to do this?” Gracie asks quietly.
“After his speech. He’ll be expecting to see our faces—Alex and all the players. And, given the circumstances, maybe even Sam’s.”
“Okay.” Gracie shimmies. “I’m nervous.”
“Me too,” Sam admits.
We throw our gazes around, observing our surroundings. When Gracie stares ahead, she tenses—her posture shifting from squirmy to iron rod straight. Sam notices, following her line of sight.
“Who’s that?” she asks.
Gracie swallows. “My dad.”
Senator Martinez crosses the floor, heading in our direction. Gracie exhales deeply, almost like she’s bracing herself.
“Gracie?” he says with his hands in his pockets.
“Hi, Father.”
The moment is awkward.
Sam frowns, and we discreetly peer at one another.
“Mr. Montour. You’re going to help bring us another championship home?” He holds out a hand for me to shake.
“I’m going to do my best, sir.”
He nods and smiles. “I don’t doubt it. You’re one of the best goalies on the ice this season. Hell, who am I kidding? Every season.”
“I appreciate that.”
Then he turns his attention to Sam, his eyes brightening as he takes her in. Not in a weird way, more familiar than anything.
“And you must be Samantha?” He gestures to shake her hand as well.
“Yes.” Sam perks up and shakes his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Martinez… Senator… Sorry.”
He waves her off. “Mr. is fine. Gracie tells me a lot about you.” Senator Martinez glances to his daughter, who is visibly upset by his presence.
“All good I hope,” Sam jokes.
“Of course. I hope you’re enjoying your time at Sovereign King’s. It’ll bring you a lot of opportunity for success.”
Sam swallows down whatever truth she has to share. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”
“All right. Well, I’ll leave you kids be. There’s someone I need to speak with.”
“Nice meeting you,” Sam says.
“Gracie. I guess I’ll be seeing you at home, seeing how your mother told me you’ll be staying with us for a few days.”
She gives him a curt nod. The senator doesn’t acknowledge her behavior but instead places an awkward kiss on her forehead before finally walking away.
“Everything okay?” Sam asks Gracie the moment he’s out of earshot.
“Yeah.” She sighs. “I need a drink,” Gracie blurts and takes off before either of us can say anything.
“That was weird.” Sam glances at me.
“Seems there is a lot of hostility between families tonight.”
“Tell me about it. Look, I’m going to find the restroom. Be right back.”
“I’ll walk you.”
“I’m fine. I think I can manage it on my own. But I have my phone. I’ll text you if I get lost.”
I don’t like it, but I agree anyway. Sam pats my shoulder then takes off in search of the restroom.
Immediately I look over where I saw Jackson earlier, but he’s long gone.
I’m uncomfortable with that, but before I can really think about it, Chancellor Williamsburg is at the front of the room—mic in one hand and a drink in the other.
Alex stands reluctantly on his left while Mrs. Williamsburg beams like the doting wife and mother that she is.
They’re vastly different, the two of them, and it’s fascinating how Alex has a little of them both in him.
He can be charming like his mother in one breath, and just as cold as his father in the next.
On cue, the chancellor begins his speech, directing kind words to his son as if he really means it. Alex forces a smile at the crowd as they hang on every word. This goes on for several minutes with him doing exactly as Alex said he would: making our victories this season about him.
Suddenly, I realize Sam hasn’t returned. It’s been only ten minutes, but something doesn’t sit right with me.
Bryden: Find the bathroom?
I stare at the screen for her reply but those three little dots never appear.
Bryden: Sam?
Still nothing.