Page 13 of On Ice

Yes. That’s obviously all this is. The sex was really good and I’m disappointed I can’t sleep with him again. There’s nothing deep going on here. It’s simply too bad I can’t have another taste.

I exhale harshly. “The thing is, Evan, I’m going to need you to help me make that money.”

“Of course.” He smiles. “I’ll play my hardest this season. The team is ready. This is our year. You just wait and see. And if you’re putting money into things like equipment and support staff, I don’t see how we can lose.”

My chest tightens at his enthusiastic, completely clueless response. As I stare into his pretty eyes, I feel like I’m about to kick a puppy. Pop a toddler’s balloon. I don’t feel good about what’s coming, but it has to happen.

Rip the fucking Band-Aid off already.

“That isn’t quite what I mean.” I inhale a calming breath. “I’m not just a businessman, Evan. I’m much more than that.”

He frowns in confusion. “What do you mean?”

I hold his gaze. “I’m the head of the Barone syndicate. I’m not your typical investor. Do you understand?”

His frown deepens, but then his face tenses as recognition dawns in his eyes. “Barone.” He sets his coffee cup down so hard it splashes onto the counter. The color drains from his face, and he leans heavily on the counter, looking stunned. “You’rethatLuca Barone?”

Usually when I tell people my name, I’m proud. I like the way fear changes their features as they realize who I am. But today, I don’t feel pride. I’m not sure what I feel as Evan stares at me in shock that slowly morphs into disgust, but it sure as fuck isn’t pride.

“That’s right.” I lift my chin. “The Ice Hawks belong to me now. You belong to me, Evan. You and your team are going to play an important role in my gambling organization. Together, we’ll make an obscene amount of money.”

He wrinkles his brow, looking confused. “I’m sorry, what? You want to use my team to do what?”

I brush aside his question because it’s expected that he’ll be confused about what I want from him. Everyone I’ve ever bribed always reacts this way. But just like them, hearing how much money he’ll make should help him get over his shock and apprehension. “You’ll make more money than the others on the team because you’ll be playing a pivotal role.”

His eyes widen ever so slightly. “Me?”

“Yes.” I ignore how shitty his bewildered expression makes me feel. “You’re the captain. You control the game.”

“I… I don’t control the game. No one can control the game.” He sounds breathless. Borderline panicked. “If that were the case we’d have won the playoffs every year.”

“I think we both know you can influence things hugely. Especially the losses.” I don’t like the sudden, stubborn tilt to his jaw. It makes me uneasy. I just want him to do as I say so I don’t have to start threatening him. Not that I have a problem threatening people, but I really enjoyed my time with Evan last night. I’d rather not have to break his legs.

He swallows loudly. “You’re giving me way too much credit for the game wins and losses.”

“Bullshit,” I cut in. “You could deliberately misfire passes, or leave opposing players unguarded near the net. There are a million ways you could disrupt how well your team plays.”

He looks like he has a bad taste in his mouth. “You want me to play against my own guys? You want me, as their leader, to actively work against them?”

“I want you to do whatever it takes to ensure we win or lose, depending on what I decide we need for that game,” I say darkly.

After a strained silence, he gives a subtle shake of his head. “No.”

I squint at him in disbelief. “I’m sorry, what do you mean, no?”

His green eyes flash with anger and his face is flushed. “I mean no fucking way is that happening.”

People don’t tell me no, so I’m taken aback by his reaction. In fact, I’m thrown enough that I can’t help laughing. Usually people react to my threats with more sniveling and pleading.He’s skipped straight to the rebellious phase. He seems to think this is a negotiation. “It is happening, Evan.”

He shakes his head hard and doubles down. “Fuck no. You’re not using my team like that.”

I blink at him, trying not to laugh again. The audacity of this punk has taken me by surprise. Does this little pipsqueak actually think he can fight me? Does he not realize I can crush him like a bug? “You’re wrong,” I say harshly. “It’s happening, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it either. Other than quit the team. Do you want to quit the team, Evan?”

His jaw clenches so hard a vein bulges in his temple. “Of course not.”

“Then you’d better change your attitude real fast,” I grate out. “This isn’t a negotiation. It’s a done deal. You either play along, or you’re not useful to me.”

For a split second I see fear in his eyes, but then he hides it. His face twitches and his eyes are cold and hard. “You don’t get to come in and take over my team. They’re not yours andI’mnot yours.”

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