Page 23 of Dirty Ruck (Ruck Boys #5)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chelsea

"When you're finished there, Dominic King wants to see you," Doctor Stuart said as he stepped into the infirmary.

I looked over from my laptop. "Do you know what it's about?"

He shook his head. "I have no idea, sorry."

I frowned, but finished typing and pressed enter before grabbing my phone and slipping out of my seat. "I guess I'll be back shortly." I waited until he nodded his acknowledgement before hurrying out the door towards the elevators.

I sent a quick text off to the group chat to let the guys know where I was going. I wasn't alone in the corridor or the elevators, so they should have nothing to worry about. Neither should I, but I was sweating by the time I reached the GM's office.

I smiled at his PA, who gave me a look before jerking her head back towards his door. "He's waiting for you."

I was sure that wasn't as ominous as it seemed. At least, I hope it wasn't.

I stepped into his office and forced a smile on my face. "You wanted to see me?"

He looked up from his computer, sat back and crossed his arms. "Have you seen the news this morning?"

My heart skipped. "No, I haven't. Is there anything I should?—"

Without another word, he turned the computer around until I could see the headline on the screen.

My heart sank.

"Stripper works as doctor for Dusk Bay Smashers."

The exact headline I dreaded for a long time. So long, I started to believe I wasn't going to see it after all. The team respected me and so did my colleagues. I truly thought I'd found my place here, and the past was where it belonged, in the past.

I should have known better than to be so na?ve.

"You know I don't work there anymore," I said softly. We'd had this conversation when he started here. He didn't care what I used to do, as long as I was dedicated to the team. Or to whatever his agenda was.

He turned the computer back around and steepled his fingers. "It doesn't matter. It is now public knowledge and it's making the team look bad. People are questioning whether or not I knew about you. I've denied it, of course."

"Of course." I wouldn't expect him to act any different. Whatever happened, he had to cover his own ass. In his position, I would have done the same thing.

"That doesn't change the fact that it isn't a good look for the team. We're supposed to be an example to children. To society. We’re people who work hard and play hard, but are held to a certain standard. This does not meet that standard." He looked at me down his nose.

"I can see how it might raise eyebrows and cause complications," I said carefully. "But what I used to do shouldn't?—"

"It does," he said. "Regardless of what I may or may not think about your former profession, I'm put in an uncompromising position."

Fuck.

I swallowed hard. "What are you saying?"

"Your employment is terminated immediately. Please gather your belongings and leave the stadium." His voice was ice cold.

I swallowed back tears, but nodded. It sucked, but he was right.

He had no other option. If he didn't fire me, it would look bad for the whole team.

The reputation of the Smashers was going to take a hit as it was.

This was the kind of scrutiny every club dreaded.

I'd be public enemy number one with the fan base for a long time to come.

"I understand," I managed to say. "Thank you for letting me work here. It was an honour."

I started to turn away.

"Miss Miller," he said.

I noticed his intentional lack of my title, but turned back. "Yes?" He wasn't my boss anymore, I didn't need to refer to him as sir. I could think of a few other things I could call him, but none were appropriate right now. Not when he could just as easily have me killed if he wanted to.

"I will be calling on you to continue with your other duties for me." His eyebrows dipped, trusting I knew what he was implying.

I understood, loud and clear.

Just because I didn't work for the team didn't mean I wasn't working for him and Skinner, and Nyla Fox. I felt like I was standing in the middle of a pile of quicksand, rapidly sinking deeper than I ever would have thought was possible.

"I understand, sir." Apparently that was warranted after all. "I'll, um, be ready."

"Of course you will." His eyes returned to his computer, dismissing me.

Struggling to keep myself together, I hurried out the door to collect my things.

No one was in the infirmary when I grabbed my bag and laptop. That was a small mercy I was grateful for.

No doubt Doctor Stuart would find out soon enough what happened to me. I would have liked the chance to say goodbye, but I wouldn't have been able to look him in the eyes anyway.

What would he think when he found out what I used to do? That someone like me had worked so closely beside him? I suspected he'd be disappointed in me and in himself for not realising. For thinking I was better than I was.

It was best he wasn't here to witness my walk of shame.

I sent off another text to the guys to quickly explain what happened.

No doubt the press would want to talk to them.

I didn't want any of them blindsided. Jay in particular didn't need a surprise confrontation with a microphone.

Not because of me. That would come, but I trusted the other guys to look out for him.

And each other. They were all going to be pissed off.

I didn't look anyone in the eyes as I took the elevator down to the ground floor and hurried out the side door of the building. People stopped to stare, but I kept my gaze averted.

Whatever judgement might have been visible on their faces, I didn't want to know. None of that mattered now. The only thing that did was to get out of here as quickly as I could.

Stepping out into the sunshine was a relief, but it was short lived.

I made it half a dozen steps, heels clicking on the concrete, before someone grabbed me from behind.

Dark fabric was draped over my face and I was jerked off my feet. Thick arms wound around me, holding me hard.

I tried to scream, but a hand was firmly clamped over my mouth. I struggled against them, but they were too strong. My frantic kicks failed to connect.

As if I weighed nothing, I was thrown into what felt like the back of a car, landing so hard I cried out.

Put the pain aside , I told myself. Focus.

I needed to get up, to run. Rule number one, never let them take you to another location. If that happened…

Before I could move, a boot was closed over me with a thud. Total darkness surrounded me. The tang of grease and oil mixed with something metallic. Blood?

Don't freak out, don't freak out , I told myself. Only years of training in keeping calm stopped me from losing my shit. Just barely.

I barely managed a squeak of surprise and fear before the engine revved and the car drove away from the stadium.

Thank you for reading! The final instalment of the story is Deadly Ruck ! Please leave a review if you enjoyed this book.

If you’d love a bonus scene of the guys setting up a sex room in the basement, you can get that here.