Page 20 of Puck’N Enemy (Thunder Knights #2)

Logan

I feel incredibly warm as I open my eyes.

Dylan lies curled against me, his face buried lightly in my chest. One of his arms is tucked under me while the other is draped across my stomach. His breathing is slow and even, telling me he’s still fast asleep.

For a moment, I don’t move. I just...look.

Dylan’s face is peaceful in sleep, the sharp edges of all stress smoothed away. Using my finger, I gently trace the shape of his cheekbone and the soft line of his lips.

Pretty girls and pretty boys flocked to me all the time. Being the captain of Knightswood University’s hockey team meant I was at the top of the popularity charts. But no matter who came by, I could never connect with them.

I finally understand why. It’s because my heart is still held captive by this beautiful young man at my side. He’s the only one I’ve ever wanted and no one else can ever take his place.

How could I let him go?

The answer hits me like a blade. It wasn’t me who let go of him.

Dylan was the one who forced our separation. All to keep me safe from a danger I didn’t even know existed.

My jaws clench. Dylan suffered everything alone, and I’m not about to let it happen again. Not now. Not ever.

Careful not to wake him up, I slip out from under his arm. Taking my phone from the nightstand, I pad out of the room.

The old floorboards creak softly under my weight as I make my way toward the kitchen. Making sure the hallway is empty, I dial Mitchikov’s number.

It’s a while before my call is answered. “Dude, it’s like five-thirty in the morning,” Mitchikov’s groggy voice comes through my phone.

“I need your help, Pavel.”

I hear him clear his throat. “What is it?” he asks in a clearer voice. “Are you okay? Did that Larson guy do something to you?”

“ That Larson guy is my boyfriend,” I say in a grim tone. “He’s never going to hurt me and I need you to trust him.”

“Fine,” Mitchikov huffs. “I won’t say a word against the enemy but can you at least tell me how you got together with him? It’s only been a few months since you met him and you’re already so protective of him. None of us can make any sense of it.”

“Dylan and I go way back. We met when we were in high school. He was… my first everything. We were together for years before we were torn apart.”

“Whoa,” Mitchikov breathes. “I had no idea you guys had history.”

“Dylan ran away during our senior year,” I explain. “He did it to protect me from a mobster he got involved with. The asshole threatened to hurt me if Dylan didn’t continue to work for him. So, he chose to leave me behind and ran, making sure I was safe. I didn’t see him for almost four years.”

“You saw him at the game with the Bears for the first time in four years?” Mitchikov asks in a grim tone.

“Yeah. I finally got to know what happened to him and why he ran,” I say.

“So, what’s the problem now?” Mitchikov asks. “He’s back together with you. If you want me to stop picking on him, I’ll happily do that. You know I’m a romantic at heart, Cap. I’ll make sure you get a happy ending even though you are dating someone from the enemy camp.”

A chuckle escapes me. “Thanks for your blessing but that’s not why I called you,” I say. “I need you to look into someone for me. His name is Pete Volkov.”

“Volkov, huh?” Mitchikov’s tone turns thoughtful. “Is he the guy Dylan worked for?”

“Yeah,” I reply. “He was in prison for a while but he’s out now. He wants Dylan back at his side. Just the other day, he sent his men to kidnap him. I was there to help him, so I was able to keep him safe.”

“But you can’t always stick by his side, can you?” Mitchikov says, guessing my problem.

“Yeah. I need your help finding out what you can about this guy,” I say in a desperate tone. “I can’t lose Dylan again. It’ll kill me if something happens to him.”

“Hey, hey, don’t say something like that,” Mitchikov says at once. “I’ll help you figure something out to deal with the Volkov guy. In the meantime, just relax and enjoy your time with your boyfriend.”

“I’ll owe you one for this, Pavel.”

“I haven’t done anything yet,” Mitchikov says in a low, grim tone. “How about we meet after practice today? I’m sure I’ll find something out by then.”

“Thank you,” I say, meaning the word from the bottom of my heart. Hanging up, I exhale slowly.

Mitchikov will definitely find something for me. I just need to stay patient.

Setting my phone down, I grab a pan from a cabinet under the counter and get to cooking breakfast.

It’s not long before the smell of sizzling bacon and frying eggs fills the kitchen. It’s a simple breakfast, but it grounds me, reminding me of the mornings I used to spend here with Dylan and Maddie.

“Logan, you’re cooking?” Maddie’s voice pipes up from the kitchen door.

Looking up, I see her hair is neatly brushed and put up in a high ponytail. She’s dressed in baggy denims, a glittery jacket, and her favorite pink sneakers. My baby sister looks like she’s ready to head out to school.

“No cereal this morning?” she says, moving toward the counter. “Looks like I’ll have to get Dylan to stay over every night to get something nice at breakfast.”

A chuckle escapes me. “Sit down, squirt. Breakfast’s almost ready.”

“Squirt?” Maddie gasps dramatically, plopping into a chair. “I’m practically a teenager now. You need to pick a new nickname for me.”

“Sure. How about ‘Menace’?” I tease, flipping a piece of bacon.

Before Maddie can retaliate, another figure appears in the doorway.

Dylan shuffles into the kitchen, looking sleepy. His hair is still mussed up and he’s wearing my old hoodie that’s way too big on him.

For a moment, I just stare. It’s been way too long since I’ve seen him looking so at home.

“Dylan, sit with me,” Maddie says, her eyes lighting up. “Logan’s making bacon.”

Dylan meets my gaze for a second. Then, he chuckles and grins at my sister. “Morning, Maddie. It’s incredible just how much taller you are now.”

“And cooler too,” Maddie adds, grinning back at him.

“Obviously,” Dylan says, smiling warmly. “You’ve definitely leveled up.”

Maddie giggles. “See, Logan? He gets it.”

I roll my eyes but can’t fight the smile tugging at my lips.

Dylan walks to the table and sits next to Maddie. She leans closer, whispering in an exaggeratedly loud voice, “Does Logan still snore when he sleeps?”

Dylan chuckles. “Yeah. Some things never change.”

“Ugh, I knew it!” Maddie laughs.

I turn toward the pair, spatula in hand. “Are you two ganging up on me already?”

“Yup,” they say in unison.

Dylan chuckles, and Maddie beams like she’s just won something big.

“Alright, you two,” I say, plating up the food. “Eat up. We’ve got a big day ahead.”

Maddie’s expression is gleeful, while Dylan has a soft smile on his face as he cuts into his eggs.

Standing in the kitchen, surrounded by our old pots and pans, I just soak it all in and tell myself I’m not dreaming, that Dylan is right here and making Maddie laugh.

This is the small, quiet slice of life I’ve always wanted.

And I’m not going to let anyone take it away from me again , I silently vow.

Mitchikov is waiting for me at the back corner of the locker room. Leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, he looks unusually grim.

His expression doesn’t change as I approach him.

“No good news, huh?” I say, pretending like his serious face isn’t freaking me out.

“Pete Volkov’s a real piece of work,” Mitchikov says with a humorless smirk. “He’s been trying to muscle into territory he’s got no right to touch. He’s overly ambitious, reckless, and way too loud for his own good. The higher-ups? They’re not exactly impressed with his power plays.”

My hands clench at my sides. “He’s after Dylan,” I say in a low voice. “He’s been stalking him ever since he got out of jail. If I hadn’t been around a couple of nights ago, he’d have kidnapped him.”

“I’m not surprised.” Mitchikov’s tone darkens. “Pete’s an egotistical asshole. He won’t accept a kid rejecting his offer.” He gazes at me, and I sense something dark lurking under the surface.

“What else did you find out about him?” I ask.

“Pete has a taste for pretty, athletic boys,” Mitchikov says through clenched teeth. “Your Dylan fits his type. I doubt he’s ever seen a prettier motherfucker than that Bear forward.”

“You think Dylan’s pretty?” I ask with a humorless chuckle.

Mitchikov rolls his eyes. “Even the girls think he’s pretty,” he scoffs. “Didn’t you see them screaming and cheering for him like mad banshees at our last game with the Bears?”

I shake my head, thinking of my beautiful boyfriend and how easily he attracts people’s attention even when he tries to keep his head down and blend with the crowd.

“Pete’s known to break his boy toys,” Mitchikov says, his voice growing serious again. “If he has his eyes set on Dylan, he’d have to watch out.”

My expression falters at the sound of that threat.

“Hey, man,” Mitchikov says, grabbing my shoulder and squeezing hard. “It’s not all bad. Pete’s a small-time hustler compared to the real players. Guys like him burn hot and fast, and when they overstep? They get put down. Hard.”

I clench my fists harder. “So, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying…” Mitchikov leans in slightly, his voice low.

“Pete’s trying to claim turf that belongs to people a hell of a lot scarier than him.

He’s making enemies above his weight class.

His little empire? It’s gonna go up in flames soon.

All it takes is one wrong move. And trust me, he’s overdue. ”

I nod, processing what he’s telling me. “So, he’s on borrowed time?”

“Yep.” Mitchikov crosses his arms. “And until then? Keep a close watch on your boyfriend. Pete might try something desperate before he’s taken out. The guy’s ego is bigger than his brain. If he thinks he’s losing control, he’ll lash out at whoever he can still hurt. That means Dylan.

My teeth grind together at the thought. “So I just… wait?”

“No,” he says firmly. “You protect him. Keep him close and don’t let him out of your sight over the coming days. I’ll let you know when Pete’s dead and buried somewhere.”

I let out a frustrated noise. There’s nothing I hate more than waiting for someone else to do my job.

“Logan, don’t make the mistake of going after Pete yourself,” Mitchikov says, guessing my feelings. “Guys like him —if you push, he’ll drag you down with him. You can’t let him destroy both you and your boyfriend. Let the sharks eat him. It’s only a matter of time anyway.”

I exhale through my nose, still burning with the need to do something. “I hate waiting.”

“I know,” he says, his voice softening slightly. “But trust me. Pete’s days are numbered. I’ve seen this a dozen times. The wannabe king always ends up a corpse or a cautionary tale.”

I nod slowly, the tension in my shoulders easing only a fraction.

Mitchikov tilts his head, studying me. “So… you and Dylan.” A faint grin tugs at his lips. “High school sweethearts, huh? And you held onto the secret all this time.”

I give him a sharp look, but he just chuckles. “Relax, I’m not judging,” he says. “I just feel bad about all the girls who keep trying to win you over.”

“I allowed them to win me over,” I say with a wry grin. “But my heart’s always belonged to Dylan.”

“You’re such a romantic, Cap,” he says, moving closer to wrap an arm around my shoulders. “You love too deeply. I finally understand you’re not trying to protect some random guy. You’re trying to save your person. It’s almost...heroic.”

A laugh escapes me. “Heroic?”

He shrugs a shoulder, grinning, finally looking like the goofy guy I’m used to. “You are a hero for sleeping with the enemy. You’re going to be a legend among the Thunder Knights.”

I shake my head but a corner of my mouth twitches.

Mitchikov claps a hand on my back. “Keep him close, Logan. The danger isn’t going to last long. Until then? Be ready.”

I nod, my resolve to protect Dylan hardening. Because whether Pete burned out on his own or not, he wasn’t getting anywhere near my boyfriend.