Page 11

Grif

“ T hank you for telling me, Grif,” Stu said as I sat across from him in a stiff chair in his office at Venture Management, in-between Jonas and Dean.

My heart didn’t unclench. I’d done it. I’d told Stu my secret in hopes he could keep my career from being completely fucked.

Stu was an older alpha and no-nonsense, his suit well-made but understated. The walls hung with pictures of his high-profile clients, awards, and signed memorabilia.

“Can you spin it like you did with Dean? Omega goalies make sense. The team protects the goalie. Grif plays a position even betas are wary of.” Jonas rubbed his bare chin.

“I’ll draw up a plan.” Stu nodded and made a note of it on his laptop. “Meanwhile, you might want to familiarize yourself with what to do if you’re outed.”

“Do you think it’s a possibility?” I frowned. The Omega Center had a list, which had really helped Dean after fucking Beau Bachman outed him.

“For all we know, Chet is aware. Being prepared won’t hurt. Grif, I’d also love to see what we can do to rehab your image.” He took the tablet back.

“ Chet tarnished my image?” My nose wrinkled. Why would he even do that? My success meant his success.

“I’m sorry to say that he did. Though everyone loves all this with you and your girl–and your and Dean’s playoff win story. And you making All-Stars as a fan vote? Yes, they all adore you. However, I have questions about your girl. Especially since Chet used to be her agent,” Stu replied, eyebrows rising.

“She was repped by Dave over at Star for sports. She has a different agent for modeling.” I’d learned that when I tried to find her.

“Before that.”

I frowned, recalling what she’d said in Boston. “Oh, you’re right. She was with someone else. She fired him because he was fucking with her career.”

That made sense. She probably signed with him five or six years ago, maybe longer, when he was approaching a lot of young collegiate players, hoping some of them would make it big.

What time was it in Hawai’i? They’d arrived yesterday.

Me

Were you ever represented by Chet Chesterton?

Verity

He was my first agent. My old coach introduced me. The one who told people I didn’t model. He was a huge mistake and helped fuel the haters.

That’s not Dean and Jonas’ agent, right?

I read them the text.

Me

No. He was my old agent.

“Well, that solves the mystery as to why Chet didn’t want you with her. Why doesn’t it surprise me that Chet is friends with her douchey ex-coach?” Jonas scrolled through his phone.

“Shit.” My heart clenched. I didn’t like that I caused my kitten problems.

Stu continued, “Chet keeps trying to convince Bunty you’re still his client. He’s trying to fuck things up with your sponsors. You might need a restraining order.”

“Given the threatening texts he’s sent me, maybe. What if we can’t do this with the Knights? I mean, they didn’t want me, anyway. Why give me a pack contract?” My shoulders slumped as feelings of worthlessness coursed through me.

Dean squeezed my hand, sending love through the bond.

“According to Bunty, they wanted you. But the demands were ridiculous, so he turned them down. The second, third, and fourth, too.” Stu leaned forward on his desk, entwining his fingers.

My mind reeled as I took this in. “What? They never said they’d only take me if I won the Hurricanes the title?”

“He said it, sort of. It was a joke in the sense that it would be much easier to justify your salary demands if you won the championship. In actuality, he was trying to get you to go down in your asking,” Stu told me.

“I don’t remember what I was asking, but I’m pretty sure it was standard. Shouldn’t Chet have told me if it was too much?” My eyebrows knitted.

“Chet’s been lying to you.” Stu’s look grew grim. “He was the one that told you that the Knights never meant it seriously and only signed you because it made the news?”

“Yeah, and why I’m being paid less than I was on the Hurricanes.” My chest clenched.

“Are you saying Grif could have been a Knight years earlier, but Chet was making extreme salary demands Grif never asked for?” Jonas squeezed my shoulder.

Stu nodded. “Precisely. That’s also why you don’t have many sponsors. He asks too much or for strange things, giving you a reputation of being hard to work with.”

“Fuck. I could have what?” My heart split in half. Those last two years had been so hard.

Dean sent more love through the bond. “You’re a Knight now. And you have a championship ring.”

But I couldn’t get that time back.

“So, the team wanted me. And there was no hesitation. They didn’t take me only because I went public with why I was winning?” It grew hard to breathe. Chet robbed me of time I could have been with my pack.

Jonas took my hand. “We’re right here.”

“It surprised the shit out of Bunty when you did that because he’d forgotten he said it. He loved the PR spin on it. You’re a solid player. It came down to cost,” he explained. Teams had player budgets and got fined if they went over.

“Then why was there so much pressure on him at the beginning of the season, to be Finals Grif every game?” Dean frowned at Stu.

“Hockey is a business.” Stu shrugged. “They want a return on their investment. There’s always been some hesitation because you’re a beta enforcer. That’s pure designation bias, considering you get the job done. Everything’s fine now. Bunty’s happy with you.”

“I’m glad. But why would Chet do that?” I raked my hair with my hand. “I don’t understand.” It seemed counterproductive.

Stu exhaled heavily. “That boy’s not right. Like when he fucked up a trade for a client, and the client dropped him, then sued for damages. When asked, Chet said I felt like it. It’s no secret that his dad does a lot of cleaning up for him. Chet started his own agency because he got kicked out of the one he worked for and the other big firms didn’t want him. Not that it worked out. It’s now just himself. He doesn’t even have an office anymore. He works out of the home his wife owns.”

Chet had a wife? Also, he’d told me he was branching out on his own because it was best for his clients. Not because he’d gotten fired.

“That’s insane,” Dean breathed. “I’m glad you got out.”

“Me, too.” This sounded wild.

Stu pushed a tablet across the desk to me. “This is the contract that you signed with the Knights that Bunty sent me. Which differs from the one you gave me.”

“Oh fuck,” Dean breathed, as we looked at it. Especially the amount I was supposed to be paid.

“I don’t understand. The team is paying me one amount, but I think I’m getting another? Wouldn’t I notice?” I frowned as I looked at the very generous figure.

“How are you getting paid?” Stu asked.

“The same way as always, through the account Chet had me set up years ago. I got a good account because of his family’s connection… oh shit. He must have done something.” All I could do was stare at the figure.

They were paying me how much? Now, the pressure at the beginning of the season made a lot more sense.

“Notice there’s a clause in the contract saying they can’t publish your salary. I’d recommend opening a new bank account today. Preferably at one not owned by the Chestertons. Go into HR and get your payment information changed. Make sure whatever automatic payments you have for Chet, and anyone else, are shut off. I’ve already reached out to the Hurricanes and the sponsors and compared things.” Stu’s brow furrowed. “I’m so sorry, but you’re being robbed.”

The realization punched me in the gut. Chet stole from me.

“Why? Why would he tell me they didn’t really want me? What could he hope to gain if I left the Knights? Why would he steal?” I couldn’t wrap my head around it. How could he even get away with this?

He shouldn’t be able to fake contracts and steal my money, even if his family-owned banks.

“I mean, why was he pressuring you to go to Mexico City when you wanted to be near us ? Nothing he does ever makes sense.” Dean leaned into me.

“The Tigres like their players giant. If I didn’t want to get closer to you, it could have been a good career move for me,” I replied. That was when I’d started second-guessing my career, and my desirability as a player.

“What does he gain from you losing contracts? He makes money when you do. Though someone from a family like him might not need the money. Chet has a giant sense of entitlement and little sense of reality.” Stu shook his balding head.

This was all too much. My eyes closed and my chest shuddered. Dean pulled me close.

“When did it start?” My voice shook as my eyes opened.

“After you signed back on with the Hurricanes after your rookie contract was up. It was when it started happening with sponsors, too.” Stu’s look grew intense. “You need to hire a lawyer and go after him. I know a good one that you can meet with today.”

“Ok. That seems good.” I’d trusted Chet. Defended him. Stayed with him.

For what?

“Shit, I wonder if that’s why those trades fell through. I really thought the Jersey one would work,” Jonas muttered.

That was one of the many times I’d been so close to getting near them only for it to not work last minute.

“It wouldn’t surprise me. It felt like what he did with that fútbol player, Freddie something-or-other, when his trade fell through. That’s only because I know the agent negotiating for the other player. Though he’s still with Chet and didn’t take him to court like that other player he repped,” Stu added as he took his tablet back.

“Freddie is one of Chet’s.” I remembered the hurt, the animosity, between Freddie and Verity. She’d probably brought him on. Chet used to pressure me to refer my friends.

“Are you okay with this? Taking legal action against Chet?” Jonas asked, brows furrowing with worry.

“I… I guess. More to stop him from doing it to others than anything.” It wasn’t about the money. He deserved punishment for his wrongdoings.

Chet had also robbed me of my self-worth. Did he keep it low so that I’d stay?

“Great. People like him give agents a bad name.” Stu picked up the phone.

“Wait, what was the other reason you called us in here?” I asked.

Hopefully, it was good news, unlike this mess.

Stu beamed. “Congratulations, boys, you have a pack contract. Now, let’s see if we can get this asshole out of agenting for good so he doesn’t hurt anyone else.”