24. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Beckett

Someone's pounding on the door like they're trying to break it down. I'm off the couch in a shot, heart hammering as I yank it open and there he is. My beautiful, infuriating brat.

"Sup, Becks," he drawls, sauntering past me into the apartment. "Miss me?"

I growl, hauling him into my arms before he can get another word out, crushing him to my chest, nose buried in his hair. He squeaks in surprise but melts into me instantly, his arms coming up to wrap around my waist.

I can't thank Rinne enough for shooting me a text he was with Viktor. Turns out, the chaotic demon did lash out over the university firing me. But that doesn't matter right now, not when he's finally here.

"You scared the shit out of me." I rasp into his hair, not even trying to hide the tremor in my voice. "I thought . . . Fuck, Viktor. I didn't know what to think when you wouldn't answer me."

"I'm sorry, okay? I had shit to handle."

Before I can mention the car bonfire he set, someone clears their throat behind him. When I look up, a blonde woman stares at me.

Viktor pulls back to give me a lopsided grin. "This is my mom. She wanted to meet you."

Fuck.

Meeting his mother is not how I saw this day going. I swallow hard, trying to wrangle my expression into something less gobsmacked as I straighten my shirt.

"Mrs. Novotny." I extend my hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Her perfectly manicured hand grasps mine, her grip surprisingly strong. "Likewise, Mr. Harper. I've heard . . . interesting things about you."

There's a glint of something in her eye, a sharpness that makes me wonder exactly what she's heard. And from whom. But her smile seems genuine enough as she steps past me into the apartment.

I close the door, and when I turn, she's surveying the apartment, one brow arched. "Nice place. Cozy. Lots of potential. I can see why my son purchased the building."

I doubt Viktor was thinking about real estate investments. And I can't tell if her words are a compliment or a criticism.

She perches on the edge of the couch, ankles crossed primly. "I understand there was some . . . unpleasantness with your job, Mr. Harper."

I tense, my stomach twisting. "Yes, ma'am. I . . . I was fired."

She waves a dismissive hand, as if discussing the weather. "Not to worry. That's been handled. You've been reinstated, with a formal apology from the university forthcoming. Coach Nieminen will be reaching out to you shortly with the details."

I blink. Once. Twice. Three times. I must have misheard. "I . . . What?"

Viktor snickers, squeezing me tighter. "Mom verbally castrated Ghoram. It was epic."

"I . . . Thank you," I manage, my voice gruff with emotion. "Really. I don't know what to say."

Her gaze softens imperceptibly. "You're welcome. I know how happy you make Viktor. That's enough for me."

A sudden thought occurs and I turn to Viktor, brows furrowing. "Rinne texted me a few minutes ago. Did you set Ghoram's fucking car on fire?"

He blinks up at me, all wide-eyed innocence. "Um, define, ‘set on fire'?"

"Chaos."

"Ugh, fine! Yes, I torched the dean's Audi. What was I supposed to do, send him a strongly worded email?"

I pinch the bridge of my nose, torn between throttling him and laughing. "You can't just go around burning people's shit when you're pissed. Two wrongs don't make a right."

He huffs. "Baby, I was making a point, not a right."

God, save me from stubborn, vindictive hockey players. But I can't quite stop the chuckle that escapes. "You're impossible. You know that, right?"

He grins, unrepentant. "You love me anyway."

"Yeah, I do."

Viktor releases me and drops down onto the couch next to his mom, then a flash of white in my peripheral vision catches my attention. Mouse is peeking out from behind the couch, her one blue eye and one green eye fixed on Viktor.

He glances over just in time to see her crouched, wiggling her little butt. A split second later, she launches herself at him with a mighty war cry.

"Shit!"

She latches onto his jaw, her teeth digging in before she starts aggressively licking his face, rumbling like a tiny chainsaw.

"Mouse, what the fuck!" Viktor sputters, trying to fend her off, but he's laughing, his eyes bright with joy. "I missed you too, you little demon."

"Like recognizes like." Mrs. Novotny continues to watch the two with an expression caught between amusement and bemusement. "Maybe I should've gotten him a cat growing up."

I glance at her. "He didn't have any pets growing up?"

She looks at me like I've sprouted a second head. "Have you met my son? His twin sister is even worse. I assure you, I did not have the bandwidth to add an animal to the mix."

I can only imagine the chaos of a house with not one, but two Novotny hellions running amok. "I didn't know he had a twin sister?"

Viktor finally manages to detach Mouse from his head, cuddling her to his chest. She purrs smugly, the little terror. "She's in Moscow with my aunt, learning the ropes of the family biz. You're in for a treat when you meet that hot mess."

"About that," Mrs. Novotny cuts in, pinning me with her stare. "Viktor will need to go to Russia for a few weeks this summer. I trust you'll be accompanying him? If you're serious about him, that is."

It's phrased as a question but feels more like a command. I straighten my spine, meeting her gaze head-on. "Yes, ma'am. I'll be there. And I'm in for the long haul. Your son . . . He means everything to me."

Her lips curve up, something like approval warming her gaze. But Viktor scoffs, rolling his eyes hard enough to strain something.

"Wait until you see what the family business is, Becks," he mutters, a sly grin playing about his mouth. "Might change your tune real quick."

"On that note, I should be going. I have a flight to catch." She levels one last look at me as she stands, her eyes glittering with some unspoken warning. "Take care of him, Mr. Harper. And the next time my son might be in danger, I expect you to notify me immediately. Are we clear?"

"Crystal."

She leans down to press a kiss to Viktor's hair, murmuring something in Russian. He nods, his expression uncharacteristically solemn. And then she's gone.

The second we're alone, I lunge at Viktor, pinning him against the cushions. My mouth crashes down onto his, my hands frantically roaming every inch of him, needing to feel him, to reassure myself he's here and whole.

"Don't you ever fucking scare me like that again." I rasp against his throat, my teeth grazing his jumping pulse. "I thought . . . I thought I lost you. Thought he'd gotten to you."

"As if." He tilts his head to give me better access, wrapping one leg around the back of my thigh. "He won't be a problem anymore."

I exhale a slow breath and pull back a bit. "Do I want to know?"

"Probably not."

"Your parents are going to hate me if whatever you did comes out. They'll blame me."

"Mom was there. She knows." His brilliant, icy blue eyes search mine, uncertainty flickering in their depths. "I really am sorry for worrying you. I couldn't let him fuck up your life anymore. You're my home, Becks. I protect what's mine."

I crush our mouths together once more, holding him so tight, he squeaks.

"Becks." Viktor sighs into my mouth, "I know I'm a lot to handle, but—"

"Shut up. You're perfect, you hear me? I love every wild, chaotic, batshit part of you."

His smile right now could rival the sun. "Then you better put a ring on it."

My heart damn near stops. But he's already trying to wriggle out from under me, his grin turning wicked.

"Think there's a message in my voicemail about getting spanked center ice." He looks down at that fancy blue watch of his. "Yup, I definitely didn't meet the time limit you gave."

"Fucking brat." But I'm laughing as I hoist him up and wrap his legs around me. "That smart mouth is gonna get you in trouble."

He slaps at my arms. "Wait, wait! Your back!"

I pinch his ass cheek, chuckling when he yelps. "My back won't be stopping me from tanning this ass for all the gray hairs you gave me."

"Looking forward to it, Coach Harper ."

As I carry him to bed, both of us laughing, I feel it in my bones. This, right here?

It's forever.