Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Holly
Overwhelmed.
That’s the only word for how I’m feeling right now.
There’s so much happening—on the ice, with Viktor, with my father.
I don’t know which thing to focus on first. But Viktor hasn’t let go of my hand.
We’re in a flurry of excitement, surrounded by his teammates and their families, enjoying a sort of revelry that’s hard to describe.
But most of Viktor’s attention is on me.
“Come,” he says after forty minutes. “I must speak to someone.”
“Who?” I ask, letting him pull me down the tunnel, past the locker rooms and offices, and into a small office. There’s a man there I don’t recognize, but he smiles at Viktor and they hug.
“Viktor. Congratulations.” His voice is warm, deep. American.
“Thank you.” Viktor pulls me forward. “This is my wife, Holly. Holly, this is Gage Caldwell. He owns the Alaska Blizzard.”
This is surprising but he’s always had nice things to say about his former team so I shake the man’s hand politely, still wondering what this is about.
He shouldn’t be hanging out with the owner of his old team on a night like this, but there’s no deterring Viktor when he sets his mind to something.
“Your text surprised me,” Gage says, perching on the edge of the desk in the room. “But I’m guessing this has to do with the favor I promised you last year during the trade.”
Viktor nods and then glances at me for a beat before turning back to him. “I am here to collect.”
Gage nods solemnly. “Shoot.”
Then he tells him everything about my grandmother’s house, land, and what happened at the sanctuary.
“I’m sorry about all of that, but how do I fit in here?”
Viktor clears his throat. “You are very wealthy, but also powerful. I would like for you to buy it.”
“Viktor!” I stare at him in disbelief, ready to yank my hand out of his but he just increases the pressure and continues.
“If you buy the land, it will be much more difficult for Mr. Grant to intimidate you.”
“That’s for sure.” He has a slight scowl on his face.
“You buy the land, we give you back the money, but the land stays in your name. Anyone who sees that it is owned by Gage Caldwell will think twice about trying to take it. And of course, we have legal paperwork for one hundred years or whatever lawyers think is best—Holly maintains control of the property and the sanctuary. You are merely the owner.”
He nods slowly. “I see.”
“This perhaps will cause drama for you,” Viktor says slowly. “That is why it is favor. I have plenty of money. It is power I do not have.”
He smiles but it’s a wolfish one, where he’s obviously warming up to the idea.
“There are two things I hate in this world—crooked politicians and a man who doesn’t take care of his family. I can do this for you, no problem. I honestly have no interest in a bird sanctuary in Georgia, but I can make it harder for someone to take it away from you.”
“I am very grateful.”
“Then our debt is done?” He says the words but he’s smiling.
“Eh, maybe.” Viktor lifts one shoulder in a playful manner I haven’t seen very often from him. “In five years, maybe I want to come back to Alaska.”
Gage throws his head back and laughs. “Okay, buddy, I’ll keep that in mind. Just make sure your wife is on board.”
I love that Viktor has come up with a plan for me and my property, but I’m a little uncertain. It feels too fast, too easy.
“Wait, I’m not sure I understand,” I speak up finally. “How does this stop my father from hiring people to vandalize the sanctuary or, who knows, maybe burn my grandmother’s house down or something?”
Gage chuckles. “He’s going to think twice about going after a piece of property I own.
I’m guessing you don’t know who I am beyond the owner of the Blizzard, but I promise you—most men think twice before going after me.
Besides, Viktor mentioned the security measures you’ve taken, and I’d like to keep an eye on that as well.
Chains, er, Darryl is a good friend. He’s worked for me over the years, so I can reach out to him, see what’s what with security, make sure it’s enough. ”
This sounds like a dream-come-true, but part of me is still hesitant, because I’ve worked so hard to keep the property running the way my grandmother would have wanted.
“Trust me,” Viktor says quietly. “I would not suggest this if I did not trust Mr. Caldwell.”
“But I don’t know him,” I admit softly.
Viktor reaches out and gently cups my chin. “But you know me, yes? I trust him. You must trust me.”
And I do.
Because I have to.
Because I love him.
And now, because I know he loves me too.
“All right,” I whisper. “Thank you, Mr. Caldwell.”
“It’s Gage,” he replies with a grin. “And you’re welcome. I’ll have my attorney reach out this week.” He pauses. “Also, I was going to fly out first thing tomorrow, but my wife and kids are here, and I think they would enjoy seeing the birds you described. Could we come by tomorrow?”
“Absolutely.” I nod. “I would love to show you around. But it’s not completely back to the way it was before the damage.”
“That doesn’t matter. I’ll be able to envision what it once was.”
“Thank you,” I repeat, tears filling my eyes. “Really.”
“Of course. Now, go enjoy yourselves. This is a big night for you.”
“My wife is more important than all of that.” Viktor points in the direction the noise is coming from.
Gage simply smiles before we walk back down the hallway.
“You didn’t have to call in a favor for me,” I say quietly, pausing in the hall before we turn the corner to where the celebration is in full swing.
“I love you,” he says simply. “That is all there is.”
I search his face, shaking my head. “No. Hockey is important too. That—” I point toward the noise coming from the locker room. “—is where you belong tonight. I want you to go enjoy it. I’ll be fine.”
“Season is over,” he says somberly. “And I made promise to myself that once I stepped off the ice for the last time this year—win or lose—the only thing I would think about is you.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on tight, burying my face in his shoulder. “I love that,” I whisper. “And I love you more. But I want you to celebrate. You deserve it. My shit will wait until tomorrow.”
“If I go to celebrate, you will come.”
“Okay.” I give in gracefully because I can.
Because he wants me to.
Because he loves me.