Page 28 of On Ice

“We’rethree pointsout of a playoff spot,” I grate out. “Every game matters now.”

“I’ll decide whether you make the playoffs or not,” he says softly.

“We won’t get there if you make us lose against Chicago.”

“Who are you kidding?” he sneers. “Odds are Chicago’s going to beat you guys anyway. They’re first in the conference, with a 62% win rate this season. Their top line’s been unstoppable, and their power play is the best in the league. Let’s face it, it’s a no-brainer that they’re going to crush you guys. All I need you to do is let it happen.”

I clench my fists, refusing to give him the satisfaction of agreeing. “And yet we’ve beaten better teams before,” I say tightly. “We’re barely holding on to ninth place, sure, but we’ve got a shot. We’re only two points out of eighth, and if we win this game, we’re that much closer to playoffs. Throwing a game now screws us completely.”

Luca snorts, unimpressed. “Your shot is a pipe dream, and you know it. Chicago’s won six straight, and their goalie has a .920 save percentage. Meanwhile, your team barely scraped by with a win against the Bay City Blazers, and they’re twelfth in the standings. Do you really think you’ve got a chance?”

I open my mouth to respond when it hits me that Luca has been discussing hockey like he actually knows what he’s talking about. He knows the stats of the other teams. For someone who supposedly bought this team to use us as pawns, Luca sure knows a hell of a lot about hockey. It’s unsettling, honestly.

“How do you know so much about all the teams?” I ask gruffly.

His jaw tenses, but he just shrugs. “I own a hockey team now. I’ve been brushing up.”

“You memorized all the NHL team’s stats in a fucking week?” I say, watching him suspiciously. “I’m not buying it.”

“It’s not illegal to know something about hockey, Evan.” His laugh is raspy.

“Okay, so you know more about hockey than you let on. No idea why you hid that, but that means you realize that if we manage to win against Chicago, we truly do have a shot at the playoffs.”

“You won’t win,” he snarls. “This is a perfect game to throw. No one will have any reason to suspect you threw the game. No one butyouthinks you’ll win.”

“And I say we have a shot so long as you let us really play. Let us wait to lose some games. Bet on us to win, and with the odds the way they are, you’ll make a lot of money,” I say hoarsely. “If we clinch a playoff spot, we’re guaranteed to compete in the postseason. That’s good or you too, Luca. It’s way better than if we don’t make the playoffs. The payoff for you will be bigger if we’re in the playoffs, you must know that.”

He doesn’t respond but he also doesn’t look anywhere near convinced.

I blow out a shaky breath. “Listen, just give us this shot. Once we have our spot, I’ll do what you ask. We’re so fucking close, Luca.”

His eyes flicker and I think for one moment I’ve gotten through, but then he says coldly, “You don’t tell me how to run my operation.”

My heart drops. “I’m not trying to tell you how to run anything. I’m asking you to work with me so that we can both get with we want.”

His lip curls. “I don’t need to work with you to get what I want.”

“No, I know, but—”

He’s next to me before I even realize he’s moved. He clamps his hand around my throat, and I gasp for air as he tightens his fingers around my windpipe. I struggle and try to kick him, but he took me completely by surprise. He pushes me off balance and walks me back until my ass bumps into his desk.

He pushes his face into mine, hissing, “We’re done talking. You will do as I say or I’ll slit Noah’s throat. You think I’m kidding?”

I look into his murky eyes and the violence and rage I see there makes ice run through my veins. There is no doubt in my mind he’ll kill Noah. If I say one more word about winning against Chicago, Noah will die. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.

“Fine,” I whisper, stars appearing on the edge of my vision. He’s cutting off my oxygen and if he doesn’t let go soon, I’m going to pass out. “I’ll throw the fucking game,” I manage to choke out.

He lets go of me and I fall to my knees, coughing.

“Smart decision,” he says, flexing his fingers open and closed. “Now get the fuck out of my office.”

I stumble to my feet, so angry I can’t see straight. But I’m no match for Luca. I’m not a violent person by nature, and even if I was, he has an entire syndicate behind him. I leave his office, ashamed that I failed my teammates. They look up to me. They follow me and trust me to protect them and do what’s best for them.

Instead of fulfilling my duty as captain of the Ice Hawks, tomorrow night, I’m going to be the enemy. And there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

Chapter Eight

Luca

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