Page 57 of Break The Ice

“Why?”

“Because I’ve benched Raider Raines, and when he quit, they quit in protest. We can replace them all.”

“And throw away an entire season? Absolutely not.”

Michelle Papers leans forward on her screen. “Why have you benched the team’s best defense-”

“He’s not the best-”

“Are you daft, Smith? He’s our best defender. Everyone knows it. Why have you benched him?”

Smith starts to sweat. “To give the others more time on the ice-”

“Horse shit!” Michelle spits.

Smith looks around, but he looks a little ill and desperate. I almost feel sorry for him.

“It’s a long story,” Smith confesses. He looks like he may cry. “But the gist of it is Typhor Raines has decided that his nephew should not be playing hockey and has threatened to ruin the team if he does.”

Several CEOs sit up.

“Oh, has he now?”

I remember the rumors I heard a few years back about Uncle Typhor and Haydan’s now ex-beta.

“This is going to need a conversation. Guys, clear the room. We’ll call you back in an hour.”

“Raider, we want youback on the ice immediately.”

“What about my uncle, Alpha Bently?”

“Who cares? Big men blow hard, and he’s full of hot air. He can mess around and play with the music world, but Typhor Raines has no power over the ice.”

“Absolutely not!”

I look at the screens, seeing face after face, nodding in approval. My heart soars into my mouth, leaving me feeling dizzy with relief.

“I can play?”

“Yes. You can play. Smith, you’ll be watched carefully from now on, and if you are approached again, I want a recording and to know the minute it’s over.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Everything goes back to normal, you hear me?”

“Yes, Alpha,” Coach says meekly. His face is red, and he looks like he’s going to cry.

“Good. We’ll see you on the ice when you all meet at Charleston.” Haydan Bently smiles and lifts a hand before closing his screen. The others wave and sign off, but I’m too stunned to respond to them.

Wren puts an arm over my shoulder and drags me closer to him.

“Its all good now.”

“Yes!”

“Ready to go home!”

I nod, and then start to laugh.

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