18. Zane

18

ZANE

I've barely stepped out of the locker room when the P.I. pops up in front of me.

"Fuck." I glance around, but I'm alone. The rest of the team is still making their way off of the ice. "Again, phone calls are great. Preferred, actually."

His face is flat as he hands me a slip of paper. "I got a new number. Another job went sideways, and I lost my phone. And my contacts."

I wince. "That can't be good for business."

"It's good for my survival, so I'll take the loss."

I slip the paper into the side pocket of my duffel. "Is that all or do you have information for me?"

"Nothing yet." The pinch between his brows is the most emotion I've seen from him since we met. "The guy is nowhere. I'm starting to wonder if he hasn't skipped town."

I've floated that same idea to Mira more than once over the last few weeks. Some days have been so fucking pleasant it's hard to remember someone out there wants to snatch it all away.

Mira hasn't forgotten. Not for a second.

Knocking Hanna's lights out at the mall was a surprisingly big confidence boost and inspired her to get back to kickboxing a couple days per week, but I can see it in her eyes every time I look at her that she still thinks Dante is prowling.

"Keep looking," I order. "He's out there."

"And if he isn't?"

"Then I waste a shit ton of money and you get paid to do nothing," I fire back. "And I have more than enough money. Do you?"

"Fair enough." He waves his new phone in the air. "Text my new number when you get a chance. If I ever find this ghost, I want to be able to give you a call."

I text the number on my way down the hall and pocket my phone.

The hallways are buzzing with staff working the game tonight. A woman I recognize from before the game waves at me from behind a merch table. I signed a poster for her son on my way to the locker rooms. I normally keep to myself before a game to make sure I'm in the right headspace. It's headphones on, the rest of the world tuned out. But I knew we were going to win—which we did—and then I'd get to go straight home to Mira. I couldn't have been in a better headspace.

It was the same last week, even though it was an away game. We beat the Firebirds 3-1, mostly thanks to Cole being a beast in the net and Jace and I operating on some superhuman wavelength.

He knew where I was going to be all night. Carson might as well have taken a seat in the upper deck for all the good he did out there. Then, as soon as we shook hands and did our good sportsmanship routine, I hauled ass out of L.A. so I could crash into bed next to Mira six hours later.

"I could've handled one night alone," she scolded as she curled herself possessively around me in the pre-dawn hours.

"I know you could've." I kissed her forehead and held her right back. "But I couldn't."

Next week, we're playing in Denver. I can't drive thirteen hours, so I'll have to get my own flight out instead of flying home with the team the next morning. But I'll make it happen.

Things are good with the team again, and so long as I give it my all during the games, Coach doesn't give a shit where I sleep. When I sprinted for the exits after the game tonight, he just tossed me a two-finger wave.

For the first time in a long time, it feels like I can get the Angels to the Stanley Cup and make sure I'm there for my family.

I can still see fans funneling through the main doors and heading for the front exits, so I keep walking towards the side door. Security will move the barriers to let me out of the parking lot and I'll be home in twenty minutes. If Aiden isn't asleep, I can help put him to bed. We've been reading a series of graphic novels about a little girl who lives with trolls. I may be twenty-five years outside the recommended age range, but I want to know what happens next as bad as he does.

I'm digging for my keys and mentally mapping out the fastest way to get home, so I don't see the figure stepping out of the shadows until he's on top of me.

"Holy f—" I throw up an arm and pin the man against the wall by his chest before I can even clock who it is.

The man nervously laughs and raises his hands in surrender. "I didn't mean to surprise you."

I scan his face—middle-aged, graying hair, looks nothing like Mira.

Not Dante.

I ease back, still not lowering my arm. "And I didn't mean to shove you against a wall. It's a reflex."

"I know. I saw the game." He hitches a thumb towards the rink. "I've seen a lot of your games now. Those reflexes are why I'm here."

I narrow my eyes. "You want an autograph or something?"

"More like a signature." He gives me a slimy smile. "I'm a scout."

I drop my arm. "Oh. Yeah, no thanks. Have a nice night."

I take a step towards the door, but the man shifts in front of me. "I came all this way to talk to you." The look on my face must be lethal because he raises his hands again. "I know you're busy, but I'd love to tickle your ear for a few minutes."

"And I'd love if you didn't ask to tickle my anything," I growl. "I'm not interested."

But the guy doesn't take a hint. He follows me down the hall to the doors. "You're talented, but I think we both wonder if you're living up to your potential here."

I don't want this guy following me to my car, so I stop and face him. He has to stumble backward to avoid slamming into my chest. "And where do you think I could live up to my potential?"

He smirks. "Does that mean you're intrigued? I promise you we can pay you more than you're making."

Fat chance. My contract broke records when I signed it a few years ago.

And even if he could double my pay, it wouldn't be worth it.

Aiden loves his school. He has friends. I have friends. I just got Mira back and we've found a rhythm. I wouldn't fuck it up for all the money in the world.

I pretend to consider it and shake my head. "Nah. I'm good."

His face falls. I'm sure it isn't often he waves money under someone's nose and they don't even take a sniff. "You haven't even asked who I work for. You'd be starting for one of the best teams in?—"

"I'm good," I repeat, waving a hand over my shoulder as I turn away. "Don't follow me. Pinning you the first time was a reflex. Next time, it'll be on purpose."

Mira rolls over as I close the bedroom door. "You're late."

"Only by thirty minutes." After the scout slowed me down, there was an accident on the highway. Traffic was backed up for miles. I was on the verge of driving down the ditch when cars finally started moving again. "How are you already asleep?"

"I guess I'm tired." She lifts a shoulder in a shrug. There's a thin, lacy strap peeking out of the blankets, so I know all hope isn't lost. "Aiden fell asleep before the game was even over. You played great."

I kick off my shoes and slide in next to her. "You're right; I did play great. It's almost like I deserve a reward or something."

She arches a brow. "They named you a star of the game. Isn't that enough?"

"Did they? Must've slipped my mind." My fingers find silk between the sheets and I grab a fistful, tugging her across the mattress towards me. "I need a proper celebration."

Her body bends to mine. She hooks her hands behind my neck and her knee over my hip. "What does a proper celebration entail?"

"Me. You." I kiss her jaw and the soft spot beneath her ear. She exhales softly and just like that, my cock could hammer nails. I should be exhausted after the game, but I couldn't go to sleep now even if I wanted to. "Lots of orgasms."

She hums in thought even as she rolls her hips against me, drawing a deep growl from my chest. "I suppose. But only because you earned it."

I roll her so she's straddling me, her pale pink lingerie finally visible. I bunch the material around her hips and rock between her legs. "One truth?"

She sinks her teeth into her lower lip. "You first."

I'm barraged with too many possibilities to count.

I love you.

I want this forever.

Nothing could ever make me give this up.

But Mira is still holding back. As nice as the last few weeks have been, she is still halfway turned towards the door. I don't want to freak her out.

"You're beautiful," I settle for instead. "Your turn."

She grins like a cat and slides down my body, stopping when her perfect mouth is a breath away from the erection tenting my boxers. "You deserve a reward."