Page 283 of Wrong Pucking Player

“I know a lot of things,” he admits. “Though I’d rather we discuss things in a more protected environment.” He glances to his side as if someone is down the hall, but no one is there.

“I’m aware the semi-finals are around the corner. With the whole fiasco with this fire situation, matched with whatever blackmail nonsense is being pinned on Armani, we’ll be rather tied up the next few days, but after the semi-finals, we’ll know where this apparent case stands,” he announces. “After that, I’d love if you’d join us for a family dinner.”

The invitation would help me find out more about my parents and learn more about Armani’s heritage.

It would be smart…

“Only on one condition,” I voice and stare at him. “Can I bring my other boyfriend?”

He arches an eyebrow at me.

“I’m dating Armani and another individual. Wyatt Cyrus Jr., equipment manager and sub for the Saskatchewan Pincers. He’s sharing me with Armani.”

Guess this is the moment of truth.

“Intriguing.” He doesn’t seem mad. He actually looks extremely calm. “I’m good acquaintances with Cyrus Senior. Very well. He may attend as well.”

“Excellent.” That makes me smile.

“You’re more cunning than I would expect,” he says more to himself as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Has to be from your mother.” He shakes his head.

“I have some business to attend to, but who were the individuals being rough tonight during the burning incident?”

“Um…” I need a moment. “I believe one was Greg. The officer who got mad at me for defending Nurse Ross. As for the firefighter…”

“Joseph,” he reveals. “I have his information.” He turns away.

“I’d love to give you one more invitation, Nurse Andrews,” he begins, then adds, “Or I should say Miss Androsov during after hours.”

I stand my ground as I stand up a bit taller, waiting for him to relay what he wants to share.

“The side of the world reminds me of a piece of gold. It glitters and is so sparkly in the light, but in the shadows, some may wonder what something so valuable hides beneath.”

He glances over his shoulder, and for a moment he looks no different from Armani. Enough that I have to hold my breath to remind myself I’m not dreaming.

“If you’re not afraid of seeing what’s beneath the glimmering gold, show that card to the security staff before you leave. You’ll get a glimpse of what power feels like in the right hands.”

Slipping his hands into his pockets, he departs before I can question him. Frowning, I look back at the card and turn it over to see the design that holds a hint of similarity.

“Sacrifices are sometimes worth gaining freedom.”

Biting my bottom lip, I ignore the sinking nervousness in the pit of my stomach. As much as I want to be naive or even run away from this world that seems frightening from the layer looking inward, I know better.

This may be the very world I was born into and stolen from. If I want to discover who I’m meant to be, there’s only one path for me to choose and walk upon.

“What the— Hey! How’d you get out of your cell?”

I blink and look to see a guard stomping toward me.

“How dare you try to escape? Wait till the chief hears this,” he shouts as he reaches me and grabs my arm. The touch making me flinch because he just has to grip the same spot as that firefighter had bruised.

I fear saying something, my eyes looking at the way this man’s eyes narrow with rage. I look for his police badge, but unlike Officer Melody, whose badge was visible on her left side, this man is missing his completely.

Odd.

The uniform looks a tad different in shade, and another missing quality is this man’s surname or the single letter of his first name isn’t present on the uniform at all.

“You don’t work here,” I end up saying when he tries to drag me forward — away from the cell I’d been residing in.

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