Page 128 of Gloves Off

CHAPTER 59

ALEXEI

“Volkov,”Ward calls as I pass his office at the arena in Vancouver. He and Darcy sit in the chairs in front of his desk, watching game tape on her laptop screen. “You got a second?”

Their gazes drop to the bouquet in my arms as I step into his office. I was planning on dropping these off before Georgia gets in.

“Nice flowers.” Ward’s eyes shine with interest, and Darcy grins at me. He glances at Darcy with a smile. “Seems like Volkov has caught on to this whole married thing.”

Calla lilies—beauty.My mind slips to the hotel room after the awards dinner, and how addictive making Georgia come was. How she looked in that dress and lingerie. How it felt to see her wear what I bought her.

How I loved holding her wrists together and taking control. Making her lose it. Watching her shudder with pleasure.

It’s all I’ve thought about since.

“Thanks.” I clear my throat, trying not to smile. “What’s up?”

“What do you think of this guy?” He restarts the game tape. “Number eight.”

On the laptop, we watch a defenseman in a minors game. Big guy. Young, from the quick flashes of his face that we can see. He knocks players out of the way with ease, disrupts the play so his teammates can snag the puck. When he can, he passes to his defensive partner or a forward.

“Good team player,” I murmur. He looks like a younger version of me. “He’s young and needs work but he’s good.”

In the right situation, he could be great. Like Walker. My gut wrenches with guilt and anguish.

I still haven’t figured out how to help him. It’s early December. Ward can make trades until early March. We only have a few months to get Walker playing at a higher level.

“Watch him,” Ward tells Darcy about the guy in the minors. “If anyone makes any moves, I want to know.”

Any offers, he means.

“You got it.” She closes up her laptop and stands.

“Thanks, Darcy.” Ward gives her a smile before he looks at me and gestures at her seat. “Stay for a second, would you, Volkov?”

“See you, Darce,” I call as she waves and heads out of Ward’s office. “Are you going to sign him?” I ask, settling into the seat across from him.

Ward sits back, hesitating like he’s choosing his words with care. “Thinking about it.”

The Storm roster is full. My gut tightens. So he’s either thinking about trading Walker or ushering me into retirement.

“Relax, Volkov. It’s normal for us to have guys on the back burner. You know how it is in this game. Things change fast.” His mouth tips as he shifts in his seat, glancing at his knee. “I’m glad you decided to accept the award.”

I think about how Georgia looked at me that night, like she finally understood why I’m doing everything I can to delay retirement. If anyone would get it, it would be her.

I have a feeling we’re a lot more similar than I thought. The realization isn’t as uncomfortable as it would have been months ago.

“Fine.” I rub the back of my neck. “I’m happy it’s over.”

Ward’s mouth quirks. “It must have been nice to have Georgia with you. I know it wasn’t easy.”

It wasn’t justnice. I can’t imagine enduring it without her.You hate me,she’d said later that night, but I don’t. Not anymore.

Not even close. It’s a problem that I’ll solve another day, though.

“Thanks for what you said.” I give him a brief nod. “I appreciate it.”

He nods back, pride in his eyes. “All the truth.”

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