Page 32

I gave the door a few knocks, and when I heard, “Come in,” I opened it.

“Beck”—he waved me in—“shut the door and take a seat.”

I did as he’d instructed, choosing the chair closest to the door.

Mark rolled the pad of his thumb over the top of his silver pen—the metal the same color as his tie.

Although it wasn’t necessary, considering the way all the players and coaches dressed, Mark was always in a suit.

The colors varied, as did the ties. I was impressed with his sense of style and wondered how much influence his daughter had on it since her attire was perfect.

“I wanted to do a quick follow-up regarding our last meeting. You spoke about the travel schedule, and when there’s more than one night in between games, you said your preference is having downtime in the city you just finished playing in versus immediately flying out to the next stop.”

I nodded.

The end of his pen briefly went into his mouth before he set it on his desk. “You mentioned the previous owner only allowed you to do that a handful of times, and it’s something you would like to implement permanently.”

Ironically, the first time the previous owner had allowed it was when I had the three-night stand with Mark’s daughter.

I cleared my throat, trying to keep my focus on him and not the hard-on that was finally starting to die down. “I would like that, yes.”

“I discussed the idea with our pilots and staff—the ones who will be traveling with the team, like Jolene—and they’re in agreement. So, effective immediately, we’re going to make the switch. The only time that won’t apply is if we run into a situation with weather.”

“Nice.” I crossed my legs, holding on to the armrests. “I appreciate you taking my idea into consideration.”

“I’ve told you from the start, I want to make your lives easier and comfortable.

The most successful teams are those where every individual feels valued and heard.

” He leaned forward, his forearms resting on the desk.

“That brings me to the next topic. As of now, I’m in LA full-time, overseeing the transition, assessing staff, and making sure the right channels are in place so this franchise operates effectively and efficiently.

” He smiled. “But I’m a Bostonian, Beck.

My main office is there, and my city is calling to me. ” He gave me a nod. “So is my wife.”

I chuckled. “I understand.”

“When you fellas hit the road for your first stretch of away games, my plan is to return to the East Coast. I’ll be back and forth, I’m not gone forever.

” He lifted a puck off his desk and rolled it between his fingers.

“While I’m away, I need someone besides the staff to be my eyes and ears.

Someone who isn’t afraid to give it to me straight and tell me what’s happening or what’s needed.

” He huffed. “I don’t always get that kind of honesty from people who are on my payroll.

More times than not, I hear everything is perfect when I know it’s not.

Now, Jolene, she’s different. I can count on her candor, but Jolene only sees one side of the coin. I need both sides covered.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You’re asking me to be that person …”

“As the captain of this team, yes, I want you to be that person. I want to be able to trust you. And I need to know that you’re willing to come to me, given whatever the circumstance is.”

This situation was getting more fucked by the second.

I would have gotten his daughter naked in that goddamn elevator. I would have hit the Stop button, causing it to halt mid-floor. And I would have fucked her against one of the walls, coming inside that tight little pussy.

And now Mark wanted me as an insider? Someone he could trust?

“I can do that.” I nodded to emphasize my point.

“Good.” He leaned back in his chair. “I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you’re ready to get home.”

I thanked him and stood.

As I was heading for the door, he said, “The first stopover is going to be in Vegas. You’re there for two nights. I’m counting on you to make sure things don’t get too rowdy.”

“My family and I own a few restaurants there. Some superb meals and relaxation—that’s what I’ll be focused on. And that’s what I’ll encourage the team to focus on.”

“Excellent.”

As I approached the door, I paused and said, “Out of curiosity, what happens when you get back to Boston? Are you going to give up those season tickets?”

He stared at me blankly for several moments, and then he leaned even further onto his desk. “Are you telling me you have a buyer?”

“Nah, nothing like that. But you’ve got to be feeling a bit torn between the team you grew up rooting for and the team you now own.”

“Ah, yes.” He shifted his gaze to the puck in his hand. “If I’m being honest, it’s going to be challenging to attend those games without my daughter. She must have told you it’s something we’ve done together since she was a little one?”

Fuck.

Had Jolie mentioned that during her speech to the team? I couldn’t remember the details; my head had been all over the place at the time.

But he knew that she was meeting with us individually, so I figured it was safe to say, “Jolie spoke really highly about the games she went to with you.”

A smile grew across Mark’s face. “I bet she did.”

I gave him a nod and closed his door behind me, and as I was walking to Jolie’s office, Kirk, one of my defensemen, was just coming out of it.

The motherfucker’s grin was far too large for my liking.

And I knew—I fucking knew—it had something to do with her.

My patience was gone.

I slowed as I got closer to him. “What the hell are you smiling about?”

“Jolene.” His approval came out in a hum.

“I just spent the last fifteen minutes mentally stripping off the blue suit she’s wearing, and I couldn’t stop envisioning myself fucking her on her desk.

” He whistled. “Jesus, Beck, someone needs to get in her pants and get a sample so we know what she tastes like.”

I was fucking done. I’d had it.

My fingers clenched. My jaw immediately tightened.

“Hopefully, you have better luck than me?—”

“Dude, fucking stop.” My voice wasn’t as loud as I wanted it to be, but my tone was sharp. “I’m trying to go to a goddamn meeting. I don’t want to walk into a fucking room where you’ve just been mentally beating off and sit in a chair that’s wet from your ass sweat.”

He was lucky I wasn’t slamming him against the wall and cutting off his air so he couldn’t say another word.

He halted directly in front of me. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

“Motherfucker,” I groaned. “Get your dick out of your hand and focus on some fucking hockey.”

I continued past him and pounded my fist on Jolie’s door, waiting for her to tell me to come in before I walked inside. Once I shut the door, I put my back up against it.

I’d been in this office plenty of times, but not since Jolie had taken it over.

It wasn’t the pillows and plants and girlie shit that caught my attention.

It was the three framed posters on the wall. One of the entire team. One of Landon during the final game of last season.

And one of me, holding the Stanley Cup in the air over my head.

“Beck …” She studied my face with concern etched across hers. “I can’t tell if you’re about to strangle someone or tear these clothes off my body.”

The anger instantly started to dissolve. “If I told you it was the latter … would you stop me?”