Page 96 of Cold Carnage

Thank you for reaching out. I am available to meet with Mr. Crowder at his earliest convenience. Please let me know the details.

Best regards,

Paige Adams

I hit send and leaned back in my chair, feeling a strange sense of relief. This wasn’t about saving my job anymore; it was about reclaiming control over my life.

For too long, I’d let other people’s expectations dictate my actions—my mother’s worries, Gideon’s demands, even Ryker’s confusing behavior. But this was different. Meeting with Jared Crowder could be the first step in figuring out whatIwanted.

The idea that I might finally have a say in my own life filled me with a fierce sense of purpose. The photos had thrown me off balance, but now they served as a catalyst for change.

As I sat there, the silence of my office seemed less oppressive. It felt like a blank canvas waiting to be filled with new possibilities.

The framed photo of my sisters caught my eye again. I picked it up, tracing the edges with my thumb. They were counting on me to be strong, but maybe being strong meant being honest with myself first.

I placed the photo gently into the box and stood up, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. I wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip through my fingers.

With one last glance around the room, I made my way out of the office and down the hallway. Each step felt like shedding an old skin, leaving behind the weight of unmet expectations andstepping into something new—something that was entirely mine to shape.

For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was moving toward something instead of just away from something else. And that made all the difference.

Chapter 28

Ryker

Paige's footsteps faded into the distance, leaving me alone in her house. I stood by the window, watching her head to the ice. My stomach churned. Gideon wasn't going to be happy, and I hated that she had to face him alone.

Pussy,I thought.She walked right out. You really going to hide in here?

I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and something I couldn't quite name. The room felt empty without her presence, her scent still lingering in the air.

I knew I had to leave eventually, but the thought of facing those vultures made my skin crawl. Instead, I decided to take a shower first. Maybe it would clear my head.

The bathroom was small but cozy, with soft lighting and white tiles that reflected the steam rising from the hot water. I undressed quickly, stepping under the stream and letting it wash away the tension that had built up in my shoulders.

I reached for a bottle of body wash, noting it was Paige's favorite brand. The scent was light and floral, something I'd never choose for myself but didn't entirely mind. As I lathered itonto my skin, I couldn't help but think about how close I'd been to her earlier, how her scent had mingled with mine.

The hot water pounded against my back, and I closed my eyes, letting the steam envelop me. It was strange how comforting it felt to be surrounded by something that reminded me of her. For a moment, I allowed myself to relax, to forget about the chaos waiting outside.

When I finally stepped out of the shower, I felt more grounded. The scent of Paige's body wash clung to my skin, and as much as I hated to admit it, I didn't mind smelling like her.

I dressed quickly, knowing I couldn't avoid leaving forever. But as I stood there in her bathroom, surrounded by traces of her life, I felt a flicker of something unfamiliar—a longing for connection that I'd spent years suppressing.

I shook off the feeling and made my way to the back door. Time to face the world outside and whatever came with it. I just hoped they hadn't noticed this place just yet.

I slipped outside, the cool night air hitting me like a splash of water. The street was quiet, a far cry from what I knew would have erupted if I had gone out the front. My knuckles throbbed from the fight with Brendan, a dull ache that reminded me of every punch I landed. I clenched my fist, wishing I'd done more damage.

Fury swept through me, an all-consuming fire that made me want to hit something—anything. But preseason began next month. Not smart to risk an injury now.

I ordered an Uber from my cracked phone–I didn’t regret throwing it–and walked down the block, keeping my head low. Nobody noticed me, which was a small mercy. The last thing I needed was more attention.

The glow of my phone screen lit up my face as I waited for the car to arrive. Each second felt like an eternity, my mind replaying the confrontation with Brendan over and over. Hissmug face, the way he dismissed Paige's claims—it made my blood boil.

Finally, the Uber pulled up. I opened the door and slid into the back seat, grateful for the temporary escape.

"Where to?" the driver asked, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

I had to think about it for a moment. My mind raced through options—home, a bar to drown my anger, picking up my car—but none of them felt right.

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