Page 62 of Ice-Cold Obsession

Gabriel’s team welcomed him back without too many questions. Coach was just happy to have his star player return. Gabriel’s been playing better than ever. He can finally focus on the game instead of worrying about who’s watching from the stands or what orders will come.

I love watching him play too. He moves on the ice with confidence and control, and his whole face changes when he scores. It’s like he’s a different person out there.

Tonight, his team won. It was a close game, but Gabriel scored the winning goal in the final minutes. I got some great shots of the celebration with Gabriel getting mobbed by his teammates and Zyair lifting him.

Now we’re heading to a restaurant off the campus to celebrate. The team wanted to go out to some bar downtown, but Gabriel and I decided to do our own thing. Just the two of us. Something quieter.

We’re moving through the dark parking lot when a car pulls over in front of us. It’s a black sedan with tinted windows.

My heart jumps. Gabriel tenses next to me, and I feel his hand grip mine tighter.

The window rolls down, and I recognize the face inside.

Niccolò.

“Get in,” he says.

I glance at Gabriel. His jaw is tight, and his free hand clenches into a fist. For a second, I think he’s going to refuse and tell Niccolò to go to hell. But then his eyes narrow slightly.

“Okay,” I say.

We get in the back seat. Niccolò is in the front passenger seat, and a driver I don’t recognize is behind the wheel.

The doors lock with a soft click, and my chest tightens.

“You’re in my territory now,” Niccolò says, turning slightly in his seat to look at us. “And that makes you both mine.”

“What do you want?” I ask.

“Nothing much, just for Gabriel to go pro.”

I blink at him. “What?”

“You heard me. Go pro. Professional hockey. Make it happen.”

Gabriel stares at him. “That’s it?”

“That’s it. But I’m not like my rival. If you make it happen, you get a reward. If you don’t... Well, nothing. You live your life. But if you do make it, you’ll be protected. No one touches you or your family. Ever.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. After everything... After all the threats, the violence, and the fear, this is what he wants? For Gabriel to succeed?

“Why?” I ask.

Niccolò smiles. “Because I’m a businessman. You’re an investment. A good one, from what I’ve seen. Gabriel has real talent. And when he makes it to the pros, I’ll have a connection. Someone who owes me and who I can call on when I need a favor.”

“What kind of favor?” Gabriel asks.

“Nothing illegal that would jeopardize your career. Just information. Who’s betting on what. Who’s talking to who. That kind of thing.”

Gabriel’s mouth presses into a thin line. I can see him thinking it through and weighing the options. It’s still someone holding something over him. But it’s different. It’s not about forcing him to throw games or sabotage his team, or about threatening his parents every time he makes a mistake.

“And if I don’t make it?” Gabriel asks.

Niccolò shrugs. “Then you don’t make it. Like I said, nothing happens. You live your life. I won’t bother you. But I think you will make it. I’ve seen you play, and I’m betting on you.”

Gabriel swallows hard. “Right.”

Niccolò nods. “You may go now.”