Page 83 of Back On Ice

It’s everything I can do to not sigh in relief. “The Twin Rinks are set to make big bucks once they reopen.” I offer, my throat burning at the words. “And I’ve ensured I never loose access to their POS system we’re installing. We can both be set for life.” I really hope I’m selling this because every word I speak makes my skin crawl in revulsion.

Dad considers me. He seems to accept my sudden turn towards financial crimes, and chuckles darkly as he takes a step toward me. “Okay, son.” Wow. He has never called me “son” in my life. It would be kind of nice if he wasn’t such a fucking asshole. “There’s only one problem. I have… an inside man. If you want in, you’ll have to get rid of him.”

“Get rid?” I startle. We just jumped the long gap from extortion to murder. “Get rid of him how?”

Dad smirks. “I don’t really give a shit as long as he doesn’t ever show back up here, looking for money.”

“Tell him you’ll do it, but you have to know what the operation is first.” Detective Peterson sounds in my ear.

“Okay…” I say slowly, shifting on my feet. “I’ll figure it out, but not before you tell me what the whole operation is about. I need to know if it’s worth it.”

“Oh, it’s worth it,” Dad says, shaking his head. “You’ll be swimming in so much cash you’ll be drowning. Think of it asan… initiation. As soon as you get rid of my insider, you can take his spot on the council, then I’ll fill you in on what you need to do.”

His place… on the council? Shit. His inside man is a council member?

“Keep him talking,” Detective Peterson mutters. We’re soclose.

“I want you to bring me innow.” I say, more confident than I feel. “If you want in on the rinks, you’ll tell me now, and then I’ll make a decision. Why would I do all the work to get rid of your inside man without my cash in hand?”

Dad is silent, his gaze going steely as he looks at me.

Stroking the ego isn’t getting us far enough, so it’s time to go the other direction.

I bark a laugh.”Who am I kidding? Maybe I need to approach the other guy since he’s probably the mastermind behind the whole thing.”

Dad’s vein pops in his head and his face turns red. “Don’t test me, you little shit. I’ve been taking what I’m owed from the town of Ivy Glen since before you even hit fucking puberty.”

A swoop of victory goes through my stomach, but I know we need more. He needs to admit to every foul thing.

“Oh yeah? Then why do you even need this guy if you can do it all on your own?” My words are a taunt. An invitation to spill all his dirty little secrets. Now, he just needs to take it.

“I don’tneedOscar Davis,” he sneers. “I was able to funnel out money for years before I had a little helper.” Shit. Oscar is who’s been helping him? I can’t really say I’m surprised, but it lights a fire in my veins knowing he’s been pursuing Sophie while tangled up in my dads business.

“Keep going,” Detective Peterson says, more to himself than to me, an edge in his voice.

“WhyOscar?” I ask, letting true disdain drip from my voice, letting him think it’s about the perceived incompetence of his choice rather than the fact I just fucking hate the guy.

Dad smirks. “He knows exactly what to do and how to do it. He found the files his useless father kept all those years ago, and reached out, hoping to get in on it since he doesn’t know how to do it alone. How could I resist?” He chuckles. “The best part is, I didn’t even have to be here this time around. Then the contract year came around, and I was already coming back to find you. When I saw you on the TV, promoting this useless project,” he motions to the spot where only the bare structure of the ring now stands, “you told me exactly where you were. Now, I can clear my gambling debts, make even more money, and not worry about avoiding Ivy Glen anymore because the only person who had a clue what I was doing is dead and gone.”

Fucking bingo.

“Got him.” Detective Peterson hisses. “Move in.”

“Ten-four.” The other voice in my ear confirms.

I did it. I got him to confess.

“Thanks for the help, Dad.” I can’t keep the smug grin of my face as the armed officers descend from their hiding places. “You’re never going to touch Mom, or anyone else I love, ever again.”

Dad’s eyes widen at my words as reality sinks in. His face contorts in rage that is so, so sweet to see. He’s finally getting what he deserves. “You fucking rat! You set me up?!” He shouts, reaching a hand into his jacket. “I own you, you fucking piece of shit! If I’m going down, I’m taking you with me!” I’m so busy reveling in the rage on Dad’s face that I don’t even register the flash of metal as he pulls something from his hip.

“Suspect has a gun!” Peterson shouts into my ear, and then everything happens in slow motion.

I’m frozen in place as Dad’s arm raises, and two shots ring out, almost at the same time. Shock fills his face, a second before a sharp pain lances my arm.

“Fuck!” he screams out, the gun dropping from his hand as an officer tackles him to the ground, pinning his hands behind his back. Blood seeps through the material of his pant leg as he squirms, screaming obscenities.

I touch my hand to the spot on my arm that’s screaming in pain, and when I pull it away, it’s covered in blood.

---