Page 2 of Cold Carnage

And he hated me because I left his brother at the altar two years ago.

Maybe it was stupid, getting married the summer before junior year. But Brendan was going to the NHL, and I was afraid to lose him.

And I did.

Because he had been seeing my best friend behind my back.

And that wasn't even including Brendan's temper.

At least an injury kept him from the NHL. I didn’t even feel guilty for the thought.

I did a lot of stupid things after that, but I never cheated on Brendan nor did I ever badmouth him. I wasn't sure what he had told his family, but judging by the knives Ryker threw at me with his glare, I'd say it didn't make me look good.

My pulse raced as I stepped forward, past the older, suited men, and toward the screen displaying statistics and strategies for the upcoming season. The energy in the room buzzed around me like static electricity, making my fingers twitch at my sides.

I scanned the faces in front of me, already aware of where my challenges lay. Ryker Kane’s eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized me. His expression remained unreadable, but I could feel the weight of his judgment pressing down on me like a physical force.

He wanted me to fuck this up.

Minka stood at the head of the table, her voice slicing through the tense air. “Everyone, this is Paige Adams, our new Assistant GM. She’s here to help elevate this team to where we know it can be.” Her tone carried a sharp edge, daring anyone to question her decision.

Next to her was Gideon Strong, a man I recognized from my research. He had stepped in to replace Richard Mathers until Minka graduated. Gideon’s presence was as enigmatic and heavy, but not uncomfortable. His dark eyes seemed to hold a thousand secrets behind their calm facade, and his long black hair framed a face that looked both weary and wise beyond his years.

“Welcome,” Gideon said simply, his voice low and steady. There was no warmth in it, but no hostility either—just an acknowledgment of my existence in this charged room.

I nodded in response, my throat too tight for words just yet.

Minka continued without missing a beat. “Paige brings a fresh perspective and an impressive track record in sports management.” She looked around the room, making sure everypair of eyes met hers before continuing. “We need that kind of innovation if we’re going to dominate this season.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, but Ryker’s gaze remained fixed on me. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest like he was waiting for me to prove myself—or fail spectacularly.

Ryker’s eyes flicked to me, then back to Minka. “Didn't she run some college team?”

The dismissiveness in his voice cut through the room like a slap. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my face neutral, refusing to let him see how his words stung.

The fact that he pretended not to know who I was…

I could work with that.

In fact, I preferred it.

Minka didn’t miss a beat. “You mean the Wolverines?” She gave him a long, measured look. “U of M has an unbeatable record in college hockey, and while she was at school, she helped elevate it, especially after the frat party scandal. She’s going to be a crucial asset to this team.”

The room went silent. The frat party scandal wasn’t just a bump in the road; it had been a full-blown crisis that nearly derailed the entire program. I remembered the sleepless nights, the endless meetings with university officials and parents, and the way my stomach had twisted every time I saw the headlines. All while I tried to balance finals, term papers, and my own rumors that followed me simply because I was a female in a male-dominated sport.

Ryker’s jaw ticked. “She’s a little young.”

I could see Minka’s patience thinning like ice under a warm sun. “I’m sorry, captain,” she said, her voice icy, “but I don’t remember asking your opinion on my hire.” A beat. "And I'm three years younger than she is. Are you saying I'm too young to run this team?"

Ryker’s eyes hardened, but he said nothing. His jaw clenched so tight I thought it might crack.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward. “I understand your concerns,” I said, addressing Ryker directly. It was the first time we had spoken in years. I was surprised my voice came out as calmly as it did. “But my age doesn’t diminish my experience or my dedication to this team.”

"Dedication?" he asked. "Funny."

His eyes met mine, and for a moment, we were locked in a silent battle of wills. I refused to look away first.

Minka broke the tension by clearing her throat. “We’re here to discuss strategy for the upcoming season,” she said firmly. “Paige is here because she has valuable insights and skills that will benefit us all.”

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