Page 35 of Sticks & Serpents (The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy #11)

F rom Flames to Draft Day: Is Damien Sinclaire Crestwood’s Most Dangerous Export?

Kara Paige | July 11

Kara Paige: Sinclaire, thanks for coming in. I wasn’t sure you’d show.

Damien Sinclaire: You’ve been begging for this interview for three weeks, Paige. Don’t act surprised.

Kara: Fair. And you brought… glances at Holly Miss Walker.

Holly: quietly I told you that you didn’t need me here.

Damien: She stays.

Kara: a beat Okay. Let’s start with the obvious. Your family home was burned down last week. Your mother was inside.

Damien: lights a cigarette, ignoring the ashtray Yeah.

Kara: Any comment on how that fire started?

Damien: Fires start all the time. Bad wiring. Poor design. Maybe someone forgot to blow out a candle.

Kara: It was ruled arson.

Damien: blows smoke Huh. Imagine that.

Kara: And your mother?

Damien: She’s brain dead. Machines are breathing for her now. We’ll probably unplug them soon, once the PR people stop pretending to care.

Holly: tenses beside him Damien…

Damien: What?

Kara: There are rumors circling that the fire wasn’t just a tragedy. That it was personal.

Damien: It was always personal. That house never felt like home anyway.

Kara: blinks Right. Okay. Shifting gears. Word on the street is that you’ve been approached by the Serpents. Care to confirm?

Damien: smiles for the first time They want killers on their roster. I fit the bill.

Kara: You haven’t been officially cleared to play since Logan Hartley’s injury. Three shattered fingers. Torn ligament. Possible nerve damage.

Damien: He ran his mouth.

Kara: He’s off the ice for the rest of the season. Some say he may not return at all.

Damien: shrugs Should’ve stayed in his lane.

Kara: Did you attack him?

Holly: Kara.

Kara: It’s a fair question.

Damien: Depends what you mean by attack . Did I hit him? Sure. Did I want him to stop texting my girl? Definitely. Did I tell him to back off? Repeatedly. You’re acting like I didn’t warn him.

Kara: So Holly is…?

Damien: Mine. Always was.

Holly: quietly That’s not how this works.

Damien: turns to her, voice softer You’re still here, aren’t you?

Kara: blinks, scribbles something The NHL has eyes on this. Does any of that worry you?

Damien: They want results. I deliver. They’ll look the other way if I win games. They always do.

Kara: And Crestwood?

Damien: Crestwood’s never been about clean reputations. It’s about power. Control. Blood on the ice is just part of the game.

Kara: And what’s next for Damien Sinclaire?

Damien: I burn down whatever’s left in my way. Especially if they run their mouths about my girl.

Holly: I swear, Damien. Your future…

Kara: a beat Okay. Well. That’s—intense. Thank you for your time, Damien. Holly.

mutters as they leave

Jesus. Why do the hottest ones always come with warning labels?