Page 45 of Ice-Cold Truth

Jack’s fingers trace soothing patterns along my back. “I know. Part of me still can’t wrap my head around it.” A rueful chuckle escapes his lips. “Who would’ve thought the team would actually listen to us?”

Sam rises from the couch, a broad grin stretching across his face. “I’m not surprised at all. You two make one hell of a team.” He winks conspiratorially. “How about we celebrate this victory properly?”

Before I can respond, he disappears into the kitchen, emerging moments later with a bottle of red wine and three glasses. He sets them down on the coffee table with a flourish.

“A toast,” he declares, pouring the deep crimson liquid into each glass. “To my sister, the fearless legal eagle who took on the big bad wolf.” He raises his glass in my direction, his green eyes sparkling with humor.

Heat rushes to my cheeks as I accept the glass. “I couldn’t have done it without you two.” My gaze flicks to Jack, heart swelling with affection. “Especially you, Jack. You had the courage to stand up against Reginald, even when it put your career on the line.”

Jack’s steely eyes soften, and he leans in, his lips brushing my temple in a tender kiss. “You gave me that courage, Elyse. Without you, I might’ve stayed trapped in that toxic cycle until my shoulder failed completely.”

A lump forms in my throat, and I blink back the tears threatening to spill over. Sam clears his throat, breaking the charged moment.

“Enough with the mushy stuff,” he teases, grabbing a stack of takeout menus from the kitchen counter. “Let’s order some grub and really get this party started.”

As if on cue, my stomach rumbles, eliciting a peal of laughter from the three of us. I settle onto the couch, nestled between the two most important men in my life, and flip through the menus.

The decision is unanimous—pizza and wings, a celebratory feast fit for champions. Sam places the order while Jack refills our glasses, his arm draped casually around my shoulders. I lean into his solid warmth, relishing the simple intimacy of the moment.

As we wait for the food to arrive, the atmosphere is light. The doorbell rings, and Sam bounds up to retrieve our feast, returning with steaming boxes of pizza and a hefty platter of wings. We dig in with gusto, the tantalizing aromas filling the air and whetting our appetites.

Between bites, I share the news that’s been burning on my tongue all evening. “I have something to tell you both.”

Sam pauses mid-chew, his brows raised in curiosity. Jack’s gaze is steady, unwavering.

“I received a job offer today,” I say, unable to contain my smile. “From Morgan, Kobin, and Delvany. They want me to stay on as an investigative researcher while I finish my degree.”

Sam lets out a whoop of delight, nearly upending his plate in his enthusiasm. “That’s fantastic, sis. I knew those stuffed shirts would recognize your talents.”

Jack’s reaction is more subdued, but no less meaningful. He takes my hand in his, his calloused thumb caressing my knuckles. “Congratulations, Elyse. You’ve more than earned this opportunity.”

I squeeze his hand, my heart swelling with gratitude. “There’s more. They’ve agreed to help cover the costs of law school if I perform well enough in this role.”

Sam’s eyes widen comically. “No way? That’s incredible.”

I nod, barely able to contain my excitement. “It means I can stay in Seattle, at least for the foreseeable future.”

The implication hangs in the air, unspoken but understood. Jack’s arm tightens around me, pulling me flush against his side. His lips graze my temple once more, a silent promise lingering in the tender gesture.

Jack wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, a contemplative look in his steel-gray eyes. “Since we’re sharing news, there’s something I need to tell you as well.”

I lean forward with anticipation. Jack’s expression is unreadable, a mask of stoicism concealing whatever thoughts lurk beneath.

He takes a deep breath, his broad chest expanding. “The team owner pulled me aside after ending practice early today. He insisted I take some time off to see a specialist about my shoulder.”

A knot of worry forms in the pit of my stomach. Jack has been downplaying his injury for months with gruff assurances. To hear the owner himself intervening fills me with a sense of vindication…and dread. “That’s great news, Jack.” I reach across the couch, my fingers grazing the taut muscles of his forearm. “You need to get that shoulder looked at properly. No more ignoring it.”

A muscle twitches in his jaw. “I know. Believe me.” His gaze meets mine, a flicker of vulnerability passing through those stormy depths. “It wasn’t just because of Mathews that I’ve been avoiding a specialist. I was afraid of what they might find and of being sidelined for good.”

My heart clenches at the raw emotion in his voice. I scoot closer, our thighs brushing as I take his calloused hand in mine. “I don’t think that’ll happen, but if it does, I’m here for you.”

The corners of Jack’s mouth quirk upward in a faint smile. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Elyse.”

Heat blooms in my cheeks at his tender words. Before I can respond, Sam emerges from the kitchen, a fresh beer in hand. “What’s going on, you two? You both look like someone died.”

Jack shoots my brother a wry look. “Not quite. I was just telling Elyse that the owner is forcing me to take some time off to get my shoulder checked out.”

Understanding dawns on Sam’s face. He settles into the armchair across from us, taking a sip of his drink. “Ah, I see. Well, it’s about damn time if you ask me.”

---