Page 3 of Cold Carnage

Gideon nodded in agreement, his expression unreadable but supportive. “Let’s focus on what matters,” he added.

I cleared my throat, feeling the familiar tug of nerves creep up. This was my moment. “I’m excited to be here,” I began, projecting a confidence I wasn’t entirely sure I felt. “My focus will be on ensuring that we have the support, strategy, and cohesion needed to get us to the playoffs and beyond. I know we’re all here to win, and I want to help make that happen.”

Silence met my statement, but I didn’t falter. I met the gaze of each executive, each coach, and finally, Ryker’s. I needed him to understand that I wasn’t here to be anyone’s pawn, least of all his. And he wasn't going to intimidate me.

The tension in the room thickened, and just as I was about to continue, Ryker leaned back in his chair. The slow creak of the leather filled the room, and his eyes held mine with a cold, calculating look.

“Another pep talk,” he said, his voice low and biting. “That’s exactly what we need.” The sarcasm in his tone was unmistakable, and my stomach twisted at the public dismissal.

I paused, steadying my breath. The sting of his words rippled through me, but I wouldn’t let it show. I wouldn’t let him see how much it rattled me.

“I’m not here to give pep talks, Mr. Kane,” I said, keeping my voice steady and direct. “I’m here to make sure this team is set up for success, both on and off the ice.”

Ryker’s eyes flashed with something—amusement, perhaps. Or maybe it was annoyance. “Right,” he muttered. “We’ve heard that before.”

Minka stepped in before the tension could escalate further. "Let's give Paige a chance," she said firmly. "She’s already proven herself in tough situations."

John Barrett nodded slightly, his expression contemplative. "We could use some fresh perspective," he admitted.

The rest of the room seemed to relax a fraction at John's words. But Ryker's gaze was still hard.

I took another deep breath and pressed on. “We have an incredible roster this year,” I said, shifting my focus to the stats displayed on the screen behind me. “We picked up The Russian Reaper. And we still have cap space to pick up a few pieces to really round out the team. But talent alone won’t get us where we need to go. We need a cohesive strategy that leverages each player’s strengths.”

Heads nodded around the table as I spoke, some more reluctantly than others.

Gideon finally spoke up from his seat at the head of the table. “Paige has some innovative ideas for training regimens and team dynamics,” he said calmly. “We’ve brought her on board because we believe these changes can make a real difference.”

I nodded gratefully at Gideon before continuing. “One area I want us to focus on is communication—both on and off the ice,” I explained. “Clear communication can mean the difference between winning and losing in critical moments.”

A murmur of agreement swept through the room.

Ryker’s gaze never left mine as he leaned forward slightly in his chair again. "And what about when things don’t go according to plan? What's your strategy then? Run away after making a commitment?"

His challenge hung in the air like a gauntlet thrown down.

“I expect things won’t always go according to plan,” I replied evenly. “But that's where adaptability comes in. We’ll be prepared for contingencies.”

Ryker’s eyes narrowed slightly as if weighing my response. "Of course," he muttered. "You always see an exit."

Minka gave me an encouraging nod from her place at the head of the table.

Taking one last deep breath, I added with unwavering resolve: “I believe in this team—and I’m committed to doing whatever it takes for us all succeed.”

I took my seat at the table, feeling the weight of every gaze on me. The pressure was immense, but it also fueled me. This was my chance to prove myself—to show them all that I belonged here.

I squared my shoulders, holding my ground. I couldn’t let Ryker intimidate me, even though the dismissiveness in his voice cut deeper than I cared to admit. I had faced tougher things than a hockey captain’s ego.

But something about his blatant disregard felt personal, as though he’d written me off before I even had a chance to prove myself.

And considering our history…

No.

I didn’t want to go there.

He probably didn’t even remember me or that night.

Minka cleared her throat. “Paige has my full support,” she said firmly, her tone brooking no argument. “And theorganization’s as well. She’s here for a reason, and I expect everyone to treat her with the same respect they’d give any member of the team.”

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