Page 127 of Ruthless Villain

"Having been on the receiving end of your fist twice, I know you can handle yourself.”

“Why didn't you hit me back the other night?"

I shake my head. "I'm not going to hit you in front of your daughter, and as for just now, Autumn would never forgive me if I stood by and allowed something to happen to you."

At the mention of Autumn, he dips his head for a moment. When his eyes meet mine again it’s with contemplation. "How is she?"

"She's okay.” Autumn is happy with me, but I know she wants to fix things with him.

“Sit. You and I need to talk. I wanted you to see me deal with Evan, but there are things I need to discuss with you."

“Okay.” I sit again and stare back at him.

He resumes his former position in his chair with his arms on the table, as if what happened just now didn't happen.

"Your father and I never liked each other," he begins. "Every game we played, we had a fight. I don't think either of us wanted to admit that we saw the other as a threat. However, I'm man enough to know and say that he was better than me. There was no other like him. Until you."

His words take me by surprise. "That's a huge compliment. And very big of you to say.”

"It's the truth."

"What happened between you two? I sense there's more.”

He gives me a sad smile. "There was. It was our last fight and the last time I played in a game or as part of a team. During that fight, my leg guards shifted, and he kicked me so hard the bone cracked. My leg never healed properly, not enough for me to play pro again, so that was the end of my career."

I never knew that happened to him. I knew he had an injury, but I didn't realize it was something my father did. "I'm really sorry. I had no idea."

"It was an accident and was never made public. Your father was sorry too. We may have hated each other, but he didn’t mean for me to lose my career. He apologized profoundly, and of course when accidents like that happen, it's just seen as part of the game. Nevertheless I never forgave him."

"I understand." I would be the same. Even if I knew someone didn’t mean to hurt me. It would feel like having your life stolen from you.

“I'm a billionaire, and I've done incredibly well for myself, but there's nothing like that feeling you get when you're on the ice playing with your team. Nothing compares to it. I know you know what I mean."

“I do.” That same feeling made me turn down my chance to be a leader at Le Blanche Global with my cousins. "That feeling defines you and you know you’re made to play the game.”

“Exactly. When it's gone, it feels like a death, like a part of you no longer exists. That said, it's time for me to move on and time I stop blaming your father. He was sorry and I need to accept that. It’s also time I accept you for who you are."

I appreciate his words. "Maybe we can finally move on then."

He reaches into his desk and pulls out the Captain ‘C’. My eyes glue to it instantly and I’m reminded of how badly I’ve wanted it.

Jakobe smiles. "This is how I think we should move forward.Captain."

My God, he wouldn't know what this means to me. "Thank you."

"You are welcome. No one has worked harder for this than you. You deserve it. I'm also going to honor the Hawks’ tradition, so you will remain captain until you don't want to be anymore. Heath and Jake will be your alternates."

I smile on hearing that. "Thank you for this. It means everything."

"I know." He gives me a curt nod, then hands me the Captain C. "In regard to Autumn, I hope you will take care of her the way you said you would.”

“I promise on my life that I will.”

“Then I don’t think I could ask for a better man for her. Could you do me a favor and tell her that I'd like to see her sometime? I’d like to talk to her."

"Of course."

“Thank you, Luc.” He extends his hand for me to shake.

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