Page 100 of The Last Inch Of Ice
But he goes. Because he always goes. Some part of him, the part that’s still seven years old and desperate for approval, can’t help but respond when Doyle Callahan calls.
The conservatory is exactly as he remembers it. His father is standing by the window, he doesn’t turn when Kai enters.
Oh please. Always this stupid pose.
“Close the door,” Doyle says.
Kai closes it. The click echoes in the vast space.
For a long moment, his father says nothing. Just stands there looking out at imported Japanese maples. Kai stays near the door, his hands in his pockets, trying to look casual.
“God has seen fit to punish me twice.” His father’s voice is low, emotionless. A statement of fact rather than grief. “First, by taking my true heir. And second, by leaving me with you.”
The words land like they always do, a familiar poison that Kai should be immune to by now but isn’t. His throat tightens. He forces his voice to stay light, bored. “We both know I’m not fit to run your empire, Dad. I’m sure you have a plan that doesn’t involve me disappointing you further.”
“That is correct,” his father says. He turns then. “But you will be made suitable.”
Kai’s stomach drops. This isn’t the usual lecture. There’s something different in his father’s voice. Something darker.
“Come here.”
Kai’s feet move before his brain engages, crossing the expanse of expensive flooring until he’s standing close enough to smell his father’s cologne.
His father turns the large monitor on his desk, revealing an open file.
Photos. Timelines. Personal information. Travel schedules. Practice locations. The name of Nazar’s grandmother. The address of her house in the suburbs.
It is a file on Nazar Rykov.
Kai’s blood turns to ice.
“I’m not going to comment on this,” his father says, his voice dry and rustling. “I know you think you’re smarter than everyone else, Kaisyn. That you’re subtle. That no one notices.” He taps the screen with one manicured finger. “I have tolerated a great deal from you. Your scandals. Your attitude. Your deliberate choices to embarrass this family. A great deal.”
He pauses, and the silence is crushing.
“But I will not tolerate this. You know exactly what I mean. So I will say it simply: stop it. Or Nazar Rykov’s career will be over.”
The world tilts sideways.
Kai can’t speak. Can’t breathe. His lungs have forgotten how to function. His father is a man who can erase people. Just another obstacle removed. Another problem solved with money and influence and carefully placed phone calls.
He’s done it to countless others. Competitors. Whistleblowers. Anyone who threatened the Callahan empire. Made their lives simply… disappear. Careers ended. Reputations destroyed. People reduced to cautionary tales.
And now he has his sights on Nazar.
“There’s nothing—” Kai’s voice comes out strangled. He tries again. “We’re just teammates. Former teammates. There’s nothing—”
“Don’t insult my intelligence.” His father’s voice doesn’t rise. It doesn’t need to. “I have photographs, Kaisyn. Video. From multiple sources. Hotel security footage. A very interesting photo from a Super Bowl party in Los Angeles. Shall I continue?”
Kai feels like he’s falling. Like the floor has opened up beneath him and he’s plummeting through space.
“What do you want?” The words come out flat. Defeated.
“You were reckless getting involved with another high-profile person. Now you need to remember what the consequences are. I want you to be responsible. And I know that you can be responsible. So you are perfectly aware of what you need to do.” Doyle closes the file with a soft click.
“How?”
“That’s your concern.” His father finally looks at him directly. “You have three weeks. Then the dossier goes to certain individuals who would be very interested in its contents. Team owners. League officials. Sponsors who might reconsider theirinvestments in players with such… liability. I will talk with right people about Rykov.”
