Page 68 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband

What did he say to you? Are you okay?

No. I'm definitely not okay. I'm standing in the ruins of my career while the man I love is about to be interrogated about whether he's seen me act like a professional whore.

Fine. Talk later.

I need to get out of here before I do something stupid like cry in a conference room.

I make it to the hallway before the panic really sets in. My breathing gets shallow, my hands start shaking, and I have to lean against the wall to keep from falling over.

I want to fight. I want to stand up to Harrison and his controlling bullshit and prove that love doesn't make me less capable of doing my job.

CHAPTER 16

DAX

Harrison's office feels like a fucking interrogation room, all cold leather and intimidating mahogany designed to make grown men feel like misbehaving children. I've been sitting here for ten minutes listening to him drone on about "organizational standards" and "professional expectations," but my brain keeps drifting to Tessa.

"Are you listening, Kingston?"

"Every word," I lie, forcing myself to focus on his condescending smile.

"Excellent. Then you understand why we need to discuss your future with this organization."

My stomach drops like I just took a blindside hit. "My future?"

"I've received a very interesting call from Boston." Harrison opens a folder on his desk. "It seems the Bruins are quite interested in acquiring your services."

Boston. The word hits me like a puck to the chest. The fucking Boston Bruins—the team I've had posters of since I was eightyears old. The team I used to dream about playing for when I was practicing slap shots in my basement until my mom threatened to take my stick away.

"What kind of interest?" I manage, my voice coming out rougher than intended.

"The kind that comes with a significant contract extension." Harrison slides a document across the desk. "Seven years, full no-movement clause, and they're prepared to name you captain immediately."

I stare at the numbers on the paper, and there are more zeros than I've ever seen attached to my name. Enough money to pay off my mom's house ten times over, set Emma up for life, and still have enough left to never worry about anything again.

"That's... a substantial offer," I say carefully, because my brain is currently short-circuiting.

"Indeed. And here's the truly interesting part—they specifically requested you for the leadership role. Apparently, your reputation for team-first mentality and natural defensive instincts has caught their attention."

Captain of the Boston Bruins. Jesus Christ.

"There's just one small complication," Harrison continues, and the way he says it makes my blood turn to ice.

"What kind of complication?"

"The timing. They want an answer by Thursday. Trade deadline is Friday."

"That's..." I do quick math in my head. "That's two days."

"Exactly. Which brings us to the heart of our conversation." Harrison leans back in his chair with that predatory smile. "This opportunity represents everything you've worked for your entire career. Childhood team, captaincy, financial security for your family. The kind of offer that comes once in a lifetime."

"But?"

"But I'd hate to see you make a decision that isn't in your best interests. Or the best interests of your career."

The way he says it makes my chest tight. "What are you getting at, Harrison?"

"I think you know exactly what I'm getting at, Mr. Kingston. Recent... entanglements have created distractions that could affect your judgment. Your performance. Your value to this organization."