Lips pursed, I mutter, “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s my girl.”
54
HENRY
Despite hoping Mia would cave and take the weekend off, she was too stubborn to skip tonight’s game. I have to admit, her strength is sexy as hell. After everything Shorty put her through––all the lies, abuse, and manipulation––and she’s still here?
Fuck. I’m hard thinking about it.
However, I wasn’t exaggerating when I told Mia I’m a patient man. I’ve been waiting for today’s game since I saw the bruises on Mia’s perfect skin in Ohio. I also wasn’t kidding when I told her she’s mine. No one touches what’s mine. Tonight, I’m going to prove it once and for all.
Striding into the locker room before the game against the Tumblers begins, I find Colt and Theo in their pads, talking to each other by their lockers.
“Follow me,” I order.
Without hesitation, they follow me into Coach Dawson’s office, and I kick him out. Once the door is closed, I sit behind the desk and give Colt and Theo a pointed stare.
“Is there a problem?” Colt asks.
“I need each of you to beat the shit out of Shorty during tonight’s game.”
Theo cocks his head. “What?”
“Every time you wind up in the penalty box because of Shorty, I’ll give you a ten thousand dollar bonus.”
Silent, Colt takes a seat across from Dawson’s desk. Theo follows suit, both of them sensing the shift in the air and what it means for us to even discuss something like this, let alone actually contemplating it.
Keeping his voice low despite our privacy, Colt asks, “What happens when we get thrown out of the game?”
“You get an extra fifty grand.”
“And if we get suspended for multiple games?” Theo starts.
“I’ll give you another fifty grand for every game you miss.”
Resting his elbows on his knees, Colt counters, “You said we need good publicity, Buchanan. Getting two of your best players thrown out of the game for brutality against a single player isn’t exactly good publicity.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Why?” Theo challenges. “We already made Shorty look like a dumbass the last time we played.”
“I want him to hurt,” I clarify. “If he looks like a dumbass while he’s hurting, more power to you, but I don’t want him walking off the ice tonight. I want him limping. Or leaving on a stretcher.”
Again, they exchange looks. “Why?” Colt pushes. “I mean, yeah, he’s an ass, but his shit with Mia’s in the past.”
“And no offense, Buchanan, but we have plenty of money,” Theo adds. “We’re gonna need a better reason than a couple bonuses to fuck with someone on the level you’re suggesting, especially when it could affect our careers.”
“Shorty hurt Mia—badly—after the last game when we were in Ohio,” I snap. “Mia told the girls to keep you in the dark so it wouldn’t distract you from any upcoming games. After seeing the bruises, I decided to be patient and take matters into my own hands when the opportunity arose. Tonight is that opportunity.”
“You mean you decided to recruit us to take matters into our own hands,” Colt clarifies.
“Unfortunately, I can’t be on the ice like the rest of you.” I steeple my fingers in front of me. “However, tonight will be Shorty’s last game in the NHL.”
Theo’s eyes thin. “How do you figure?”
“No one touches what’s mine,” I seethe. “After tonight’s game, Shorty will understand, but I’m hoping you can help make it count by taking advantage of your last opportunity to hand him his ass.”
“Just to be clear,” Colt says. “You’re giving us full autonomy from our actions tonight. Correct?”
“Yes.”
He glances at Theo again. “Full. Autonomy?”
“Do we have a problem?” I demand. “Can I count on you both to do as I ask or do I need to––”
“We’ll take care of it,” Colt interrupts.
“Yeah,” Theo agrees. “No one touches Mia.”
“Good.” I tilt my head toward the door. “Make it count. Now, get out of here.”
“Yes, sir.”
They stand, leaving me in peace as I rub my hand over my face. Their voices echo off the lockers a few seconds later.
“Listen up!” Theo yells.
My head snaps up, and I look through the glass separating the office from the main locker area. Theo’s standing on one of the metal benches, making him two feet taller than the rest of his teammates as he turns in slow circles, waiting until he has everyone’s full attention.
The room quiets almost instantly, and he shares a look with Colt. “Since the start of the season, you’ve all gotten to know Mia.”
“And for most of us,” Colt continues, “she’s become something of a little sister over the past few months.” He moves up beside Theo on the bench, his frustration nearly matching my own. “You also know she doesn’t date hockey players.”
“Which fucking sucks,” Beck adds dryly while the rest of the room chuckles.
Everyone except for Theo and Colt.
“What you don’t know,” Theo growls, “is the reason behind her decision.”
The locker room is so quiet you can hear the sound of fans growing restless from the tunnel, but no one says a word. They simply stare at their leaders, Colt and Theo. The dynamic duo rookies.
“And it isn’t because one cheated on her or broke her heart or some shit,” Colt explains.
“Okay, it’s true, the asshole cheated on her,” Theo grumbles.
“But he also liked to use her as a punching bag,” Colt says.
Greer pushes to his feet. His hands fisted at his sides. “Who is he?”
Mortinson joins him. “And how do we get our hands on him?”
With a grin, Theo lifts his hands from his sides. “It’s our lucky day, gentlemen. He’s gonna be on the ice tonight.”
“Let’s fuck him up,” Beck spits, and the rest of the team rumbles their agreement.
“Yeah.” Theo nods. “That’s exactly what we’re gonna do because when we played the Tumblers in Ohio, Mia’s ex cornered her––again––and hurt her right under our noses.”
Colt looks around the silent locker room as they each understand the severity of Mia’s past and all she’s been through. His gaze is filled with determination, and his upper lip curls. His deep voice is thunderous as he booms, “Win or lose, we’re gonna show him how we protect our own. The only number we care about tonight is the one on the back of Ackerman’s jersey. Twenty-one. Let’s make him bleed.”
The team slams their sticks against the closed lockers. It drums up so much noise, I have no doubt the arena can hear them, but so can the Tumblers. So can Shorty.
He might not know his world is about to be rocked. But he will. And afterward? He’ll wish he’d never heard of Mia Rutherford, let alone laid a hand on her.