Page 137 of Brace and Chase

“We will go to the press room after the game,” Nik says, in a low voice. He stares at Gab with narrowed eyes and she doesn’t flinch under his scrutiny.

“Are you sure you want that?” she double-checks. “Because you can just say nothing and let me handle it. You know I love putting these assholes in their place.”

“And you do it well,” Nik agrees with a nod. “But letme have my fun,” he drawls, and she smiles at him, all shark-like and scary.

I have no idea whatfunhe’s referring to.

I’m expecting rude and intrusive questions, so I don’t know what the hell he thinks is going to happen.

“Well, I was expecting this, so.” She shrugs carelessly.

“You were?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes. It’s why I hired him.” She points at Silas without looking at him.

“It is?” he asks, as shocked as me.

“Well, when I saw you two in the gym, I knew something was going on. So it was time for me to stop avoiding getting a head of PR, because this is about to be a shitshow. I did check the by-laws of the NHL and the ones we have here, and you’re all good there.”

“Yeah, we know,” I mumble, still surprised she’s known for so fucking long. “Is that why you kept texting me about where you were?”

“Well,” she hedges and Nik speaks up before she can continue.

“Is that why you benched me?” He sounds really offended.

“No.” She shakes her head at him once then turns back to me. “I felt responsible for you. I brought you here and thrust you into the shark pool without a life raft. I mean, I know it turned out all right, but I wanted you to know you still had me in your corner.”

“Okay,” I say even though I’m still confused.

“Now, Silas, Charlie, will you please give me a moment with Santa?”

I look at Nik, asking with my eyes if he’s okay with this. I won’t go if he isn’t, but he nods at the door, telling me it’s okay.

“I already told Laney,” he says quickly when I stand.

“You did?”

“Yes, he’s stressed but fine with it.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. Enormous gratitude has me leaning down and touching my lips lightly to his. Then I walk out... and wait.

THIRTY-EIGHT

NIK

After I leaveCharlie by the elevator, I walk into the gym and do a quick sweep to make sure there’s no one inside, then I take my phone out and look at the screen for a long moment.

“Just fucking do it,” I tell myself and press call.

It rings only one time and then the call connects.

“Niko.” His voice is deeper and... mature. Fuck, just hearing him call me that has my eyes dampening.

“Maxim,” I say simply because what else am I supposed to do? Sayhi, how are you?There’s no room for casual here, but I guess I do know where to start with the apologies. “Sorry for calling without a warning.”

“It’s fine,” he says hurriedly. “I was just finishing up an interview.”

“You were?” I frown, hating that I don’t know anything. “Interview for what?”

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