Page 91 of Not A Chance

So why was he expecting Indie to do things this way?

“Baby.” She’d made her way to the threshold of her bedroom while I’d been lost in my thoughts. I crossed the space between us with long strides. “What can I do? Do you want me to go with you?”

That question had her turning back to me with wide eyes. “No. You can’t. Absolutely not. I need to handle this.” She turned and headed to her closet and pulled out the carry-on suitcase that we’donly just unpacked two days ago.

“Indie, please. I need you to tell me what’s happening right now.” I moved to take the suitcase from her hand, setting it on the ground before taking her hand in mine and leading her to the bed.

Her shoulders slumped when we sat down. A heavy feeling settled in my gut.

“So, the thing is. My grandmother left me a lot of money when she passed away, but it’s been locked up in a trust until now. I’ve been planning for years to start a nonprofit to help kids in need.” She looked down at her lap, picking at the nonexistent lint on her pants. Indie met my gaze quickly before looking at her lap again.

This was one of the few times I could ever remember Indie appearing so worried about anything.

“Baby,” I said, using my free hand to reach around and tilt her chin up until I could see her eyes again. “That’s incredible. I have zero doubts you can make that happen. But what does that have to do with your dad’s summons just now?”

She leaned back and kissed the palm that I held against her jaw before bringing up her own hand to hold mine in place.

“My father is threatening to use his all-powerful resources to prevent me from accessing my inheritance unless I do what he wants. He’s the reason I’m here in Toronto. He thought my last job wasn’t prestigious enough for the daughter of Gerald Layne III,” she explained.

I’d never met the man, but I already hated him. Indie was so intelligent and capable in every situation. It galled me that anyone would try to control her, but her own father doing it just confirmed what a bastard he really was.

“So, what, you’re going home to see what he wants? Why wouldn’t he tell you on the phone?” Worry had my throat feeling tight.

She shook her head. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, I don’thave a choice because if I don’t do what he wants, it will only make things worse.”

“Shit.” There wasn’t anything I could say to make it better for her.

I wanted to tell her she could give up the money. That I’d give her whatever she needed to start her nonprofit. Hell, after all these years of devoting my whole life to hockey, I had a bank account I would gladly share with her.

I didn’t say any of that, though, knowing this wasn’t only about the money for Indie. She’d been planning this idea for years, it sounded like. She wasn’t asking me to save the day for her. Her determination to face her father showed that she was set on doing this thing on her own.

I wanted to insist that I go with her.

The thing I needed her to understand was that she could rely on me. I wanted her to lean on me in times like this. If I pushed her now, it would be all about what I needed and not her.

“Okay. I get it. But I’m so sorry that you have to go through this.” I exhaled the words, trying to fight the worry flowing through my veins at all the ways this could hurt her.

It must have been the right thing to say because she turned her body toward me fully and wrapped her arms around me, letting me hold her.

I couldn’t imagine having to let her go, even temporarily.

It was 5:00 a.m., and Indie left for the airport just after 2:00 a.m. After she finished packing, we just lay beside each other on her bed in silence, neither of us even attempting to sleep.

Then, her ride was suddenly downstairs, and she gave me a softkiss goodbye before she left.

Gerald Layne worked fast. The question remained: what did he want with Indie?

Her flight was due to take off within the hour. I picked up my phone to see if she had texted from the airport.

Indie

Made it to the gate with time to spare. Hardly any lines.

Theo

I’m glad you got there safely. I’m worried about you flying by yourself on no sleep and no food. Do you have time to grab something before your flight?

Indie

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