Page 163 of Game Misconduct
But when I finally turn, it’s not Maddox leaving.
It’s Dean walking in.
Son of a bitch. How long has he been standing on the other side of the door?
His brows lift, one slow rise of smug satisfaction as he takes in the scene. Me at my desk and Maddox inches from the door.
The storm in the air we didn’t quite clean up.
“Well,” Dean says, stepping inside and letting the door swing shut behind him. “Don’t let me interrupt the lovers’ quarrel.”
Neither Maddox or I move.
For once, we’re aligned.
Dean folds his arms. “I was coming to let you know the board’s called an emergency session. Later tonight. Boston’s blown up bigger than expected.”
My stomach drops.
Dean glances between us. “But I guess there’s two crises to address now, huh?”
The silence snaps like a bone. Maddox straightens, stepping forward just enough to send heat up my spine.
“There’s nothing the board needs to discuss about this,” I say.
Dean doesn’t blink. “You sure about that? Because the optics aren’t great. And considering the story leaking out of Boston, it’s a hell of a coincidence.”
I open my mouth to speak, but Maddox beats me to it.
“She didn’t leak it.”
Dean gives him a slow, mocking nod. “Maybe not. But now thetimingis a story. This scandal was bad enough. Now the owner of the Vipers is sleeping with the player at the center of it? That’s two fires, not one.”
I close my eyes.
Just for a second. Just long enough to find my footing again.
When I open them, my voice is iron.
“This is my team. If the board has questions, I’ll answer them. But I won’t be interrogated in my own office over a relationship that has nothing to do with the Boston leak.”
Dean’s smile is paper-thin. “Then be ready to defend both. Because the vote tonight? It’s not going to be about Boston anymore. It’s going to be about whether you’re still the right person to lead.”
He lets that sink in, then turns and leaves without another word.
The door clicks shut.
And for a long, breathless second, I just stand there. Hands braced on the desk. Jaw clenched so tight my teeth ache.
Maddox doesn’t say anything.
He doesn’t have to.
The boardroom is colder than usual.
Unforgiving.
Dean is already seated when I walk in.
