Page 36

ETHAN

“Aurora, stop! Look at me.”

In Jackson’s arms, she sobs inconsolably, gasping for air. He whispers reassuring words, but she’s already in a state of panic—her breaths rapid and shallow, her complexion pale, her lips tinged purple.

I sit beside him, cup her tear-streaked face, and force her gaze to mine. “This isn’t over. I have lawyers and connections. We’ll fight whatever comes next. You hear me?”

Neither of them noticed I was leaning against the doorjamb, listening to the tail end of their conversation. When Aurora broke, so did my heart.

I realize she’s focused on more than him possibly going to jail. She’s thinking of him at these parties and devastated by all he’s endured.

But I hate to see her like this; she was doing so well. It tears at my insides and makes me prickly. I prefer my mischievous, smart-mouthed girl.

“Baby, please,” I soften my tone. “I promise I can protect him. I can protect you both.”

She closes her eyes and shakes her head. Unable to get past her fear and anxiety, she starts to hyperventilate.

“Aurora,” a rough, nasally voice barks.

Her attention snaps to Ricky, who stands in the doorway, one eye nearly shut, swelling and bruising along his cheekbone. The abrasion on his chin is raw, his lip split, and angry red marks crisscross his throat.

“Take a breath.” He draws closer. “It’s gonna be alright.”

He crouches behind her as she sucks in air, and Jax stiffens. “I’ll kick your fucking teeth in,” he snarls.

“That was your one free shot for me not coming forth sooner. After this, you’re dealing with a special agent, and I won’t be easy on you.”

My temper ignites, threats bursting from my lips without thought. “You touch him again, and I’ll throttle you.”

Ricky skewers me with a glare and dares to place a hand on Aurora’s back. “I’m. Not. After. Jackson. I understand why you’re pissed, but I was the one who helped her overcome her anxiety.”

Fuck him. We’ve all done our part. “And ruined it. Good job.”

Jesus, my captain is rubbing off on me.

He rubs her back with soothing circles. “It’s okay. You’re okay. Nothing will happen to Jackson.”

“Wait.” Jax lifts his palm. “Hold up. Special agent? Like the FBI?”

“I’m with Homeland Security. I’m a senior special agent working on a case involving Kyle and the LAPD. I’m not a cop, nor have I ever been.”

Agent or not, Jax won’t forgive Ricky’s betrayal easily. If one thing sets Jax off, it’s dishonesty and manipulation, which likely reminds him of his father. If Ricky were solely Jackson’s bodyguard, it’d be different, but fuck with Aurora, and you unleash a monster.

I can’t say I blame him. Ricky has been with her under false pretenses for months. Was he trying to get close to her? He certainly wasn’t getting friendly with Jax.

“I’m prepared to offer you protection for your cooperation—your full cooperation. I was your bodyguard first. You asked me to be hers, and I couldn’t turn it down, nor could I chance being removed from this case. Either way, we can work together to put Kyle in prison, where he belongs.”

Aurora’s breathing slows, and she wipes the tears from her puffy eyes.

I open my arms. “Come here, baby girl.”

She climbs into my lap, rests her head on my shoulder, and watches them.

Ricky grabs the wrapped bag of ice from the floor and offers it to Jax. “Ice it, and then I’ll wrap it. Someone needs to teach you to throw a punch without breaking your fist.”

Jax flips his hand over, his palm a bluish shade. “It’s broken. Not much good the ice will do,” he grumbles but ices his knuckles anyway. “I’ll consider an offer when I see it on paper, and that’s only after I get my trust. You’re not seizing everything I have.”

If I didn’t know he loved spending his money on others, I’d assume, like everyone else, that he was superficial. He truly wants to give Aurora and the baby all he promised—the beach house, this penthouse, security.

“I can work with that—if nothing changes. You kick me out or go to your father, we’re through.” Ricky glances down at Jackson’s swollen hand. “And you’ll need that trust fund. You’re never returning to hockey at the rate you’re going.”

Fuck me.

I massage my temple to ease the coming headache.

“Don’t worry, Coach. As long as I can hold a stick, I’ll play. I have plenty of time to heal, and this isn’t my first fracture.” Jax takes a deep breath and winces. “Ribs fucking hurt, though.”

Fuck me twice.

How did I end up with the biggest pain in the ass in the history of hockey?

While we wait for Doc, Aurora showers, Ricky updates his partner, and I work through emails in Jackson’s room.

It’s getting late, and Jax rests against the padded headboard of his massive bed, icing his ribs. “Can you promise me something?”

“Yeah,” I answer without missing a beat, lowering my phone to my lap.

“If anything happens to me, you’ll take care of Aurora, no matter what.”

My brows furrow. “Of course I will. Why?”

His gaze drifts toward the bathroom. “I’m going to petition to transfer the conservatorship to you and add your name to my accounts. Whatever is necessary.”

Why does he sound defeated? “Jax?—”

“Convince her to stay home. She’ll listen to you. She doesn’t trust me, but she’ll trust you to care for her. Make sure she and the baby have everything.” His eyes well up, and he drops his head.

I sit up straighter in the leather armchair. “Shut the fuck up. You’re not going anywhere.”

He faces the ceiling and blows out a long exhale. “I don’t know what’ll come of this.”

“We’ll work it out,” I assure him.

“This,” he circles his hand, gesturing to the three of us, “is temporary. If I’m not in prison or dead, the team will likely trade me once the season ends. If not, they’ll let me go next year, and a few years down the line, they might release you too, because of all the shit I’ve done. What then?”

I won’t accept that. The thought is instantaneous.

When did I go from desperately wanting a Stanley Cup to desiring a family? When did this become my priority?

“Pull yourself together and get back on the ice. Play with the same passion you did in your rookie year. Management wants you to sell tickets, to dazzle the media and fans. They don’t care how you do it, as long as the team makes money.

Fuck Kyle. Fuck what people will think. Play hard and win.

” I suck in a deep breath. “And if we end up separated, I’ll be the biggest fan in your box, right there beside Aurora.

Someone has to manage you, and I already spend most of my time doing so anyhow. ”

Are my eyes burning? No, they are not.

I expect a wave of regret or panic to hit me, but it doesn’t come—instead, there’s a sense of conviction. A weight lifts from my shoulders, and I feel… unburdened . Everything I said feels undeniably right.

Jackson blinks his tears away. I’ve never seen him at a loss for words. “Why? Why would you do that? You love coaching.”

I chuckle lightheartedly at his dumbfounded expression. “Because I want Aurora—all of her—and she’s not whole without you, and because you have it . You’re naturally talented. Every part of you is made for the ice. You just need a team behind you.”

“Wow,” he breathes, taken aback. “Are you always like this, a coach? Is that your natural talent?”

I can’t help the shit-eating grin that stretches across my face. He really is rubbing off on me. “No, my natural talent got your girlfriend pregnant.” I grin wider. “You’re welcome.”

He returns my smile, the glimmer of light rekindling in his eyes. “And there it is—the reason I hate you. You’re such a fucking asshole.”

We both laugh, neither of us able to control it.