Page 103 of Cold Carnage

“Then why are you here?” he pressed, leaning forward. “If signing me won’t guarantee you your job, why bother with me at all?”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “Because I care about the team,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “Yes, this team has had its share of scandals. But one thing that’s kept us together is loyalty. Whatever issues you and Cole have disappear when you touch that ice. He fights for you just like you’ll be expected to fight for him.”

“And you think I will?” Jared’s eyes narrowed, his skepticism palpable.

“I know it,” I said firmly. “Everyone calls you a snake, and you are. But you’re loyal to those you care about, even if you aren’t sure about your future with them. It’s why you didn’t leave Toronto until now. And it’s why you want to get closer to her. And why the Serpents would be the best place for you.”

He chuckled darkly, the sound both amused and resigned. “Well,” he drawled, “you sure know how to drive a bargain.”

“I care about this team,” I repeated, my voice soft but resolute. “It’s family, and I promise you, Mr. Crowder, they’ll take care of you.”

He gave me a long look, weighing my words as if searching for any trace of insincerity. Finally, he stuck out his hand. “I think we have a deal.”

I shook it, feeling the roughness of his palm once more—a poignant reminder of the journey ahead.

Chapter 30

Ryker

Ifucking hated this.

The journalists, vultures in pressed suits, lined up like a firing squad in front of my house. Each camera lens glinted like a predatory eye, and the low murmur of voices buzzed with anticipation. My privacy, shattered. But I had asked for this, a necessary evil to clean up the mess I’d made.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath, steeling myself for the onslaught.

Stepping outside, the flashes erupted, blinding in their intensity. A cacophony of questions flew at me, their voices merging into a chaotic blur. I held up my hand, signaling for silence. Gradually, the noise died down to an expectant hush.

I stood there, every muscle tensed. The cold wind bit through my jacket, but it did nothing to numb the anger simmering beneath my skin.

"This press conference," I began, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me, "is to address recent events that have caused significant controversy."

More flashes. Faces leaned forward with hungry curiosity.

"I take full responsibility for my actions," I continued. The words tasted bitter, but I forced them out. "And I'm here to set things right."

A journalist in a red coat stepped forward. "Mr. Kane, can you elaborate on your relationship with Paige Adams?"

My jaw tightened at the mention of her name. Paige. The cause of so much turmoil and confusion in my life right now. But this wasn’t about her—it was about damage control.

"Paige Adams is extremely well-respected and damn good at her job," I said, my voice cutting through the noise. "She's talented, intelligent, and loyal."

The flashes continued, capturing every flicker of emotion on my face. I could see the anticipation in their eyes, waiting for a slip, a crack.

"There were pictures of you and her released earlier today," someone pointed out.

"The pictures released," I began, feeling the anger rise like bile in my throat, "are no one's fucking business."

The crowd stirred, murmurs spreading like wildfire.

"What's the nature of your relationship?" someone else shouted from the back.

I clenched my teeth. The urge to tell them it was none of their concern almost overwhelmed me. But I knew better. I needed to fix this.

"I can't speak for her," I said slowly, each word weighed with care. "But… she's very special to me."

"Clearly," another voice sniped from the crowd.

I glared at the faceless mass of reporters. My fists tightened at my sides.

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