Page 8 of Tye (Rage MC: The Prospects #8)

Ice

A fter informing Mom we wouldn’t be around for dinner, I avoided my siblings, who were a bunch of nosey bastards, and headed to Rivendell. Mom had converted a part of our surrounding forest to make a replica of the famous LOTR elven city. Of course, it wasn’t as big, but it had some of the main scenes. Mom had built it when we’d moved here for the younger children, along with the Ewok village, in the opposite direction.

The kids adored it and still played here. But as the family grew, Mom had changed the homes from playhouses to actual liveable cabins. They were pretty damn cool. Each had a minimum of two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small kitchenette space containing kettle, toaster, and microwave. All buildings now had electric, and plumbing with wiring had been buried in the ground with tree-coloured pipe and electrical covers hiding them in the trees.

The arched area where the famous Fellowship of the Ring was created was called the Rivendell Council Hall. It was laid out in a replica, but the houses and other buildings were all were built into the trees with roped walkways connecting them. Because of the different tree heights, the cabins were also on levels, giving a tree rendering of Rivendell. Two thick oak trees had curving staircases that wound round their trunks, giving access to Rivendell if you didn’t want to use the rope ladders.

There were graceful arches, tree covered walkways, rope bridges, and artificial waterfalls where the water recycled itself much like a fountain. Flowers grew in abundance on the floor around the Council Hall. There was a pool with waterlilies, a true feat of engineering, which was fed by a rain collector, and koi carp swam lazily in it. Thick supporting trunks were cemented into the ground and helped hold up the cabins and platforms. They were treated with a substance that turned them hard, and every year, we had an inspector come out and check for weaknesses.

The area was beautiful, and I was as much in awe now as I’d been when Mom first revealed it. There were twenty cabins, a food hall, party room, and three mock shops, and the kids used them as playhouses until they were needed for family to stay in. Jodie and Serenity had been too old to play here, but Eddie and now Peyton often pretended to be princesses.

The entire setting was an almost exact replica of the films, including the intricate carvings inside the buildings. Fairy lights lit the area run off solar power, and it was truly a beautiful space. One I hoped Demi might enjoy.

In the snow, it looked even more amazing. I’d not shown Demi this earlier or the Ewok village, telling her that they were better lit up at night. Which gave me an excuse to get her out of the house.

Mrs Ames was providing a hot meal, and I had already carried out the hotplates, crockery, and cutlery. I was now moving logs from the woodpile to start the fires in the Rivendell Council Hall. There were several burners there that I knew from experience would warm the area up. I was also going to take blankets, any excuse to snuggle my soon-to-be woman.

Once I was happy everything was good, I collected the food from Mrs Ames and started looking for Demi. I found her in the Hall talking to Spike and interrupted what appeared to be an argument.

“Demi, we aren’t sure that Red Raider is ready,” Spike insisted.

“You got to trust me,” Demi argued.

“You don’t know that!”

“Yeah, I do. I have taught him. Red Raider is ready to jump in competitions,” Demi shot back.

Spike shook his head as the first gong went.

“Okay?” I questioned, looking between them.

“Pops doesn’t think I’ve trained a horse well enough to compete,” Demi stated, crossing her arms.

Spike glowered at her. “Didn’t say that. I asked if you’re sure he’s ready. Red Raider is high strung and a pain in the ass. The bastard hasn’t competed before, and we’ve no idea how he’ll handle a crowd.” “Isn’t there some sort of baby competition you can take him to?” I questioned.

“Oh, look at you being cute,” Spike sneered, rolling his eyes. “No, kid, there’s not.”

“Actually, Ice may be on to something. There are a few smaller amateur competitions we can put him in. To see how he handles being surrounded by crowds,” Demi drawled.

Spike sent me an annoyed look, and I hid a grin.

“Smart ass, just like your daddy,” Spike muttered and stomped away.

“Did I upset him?” I asked with a laugh.

“Seems it,” Demi replied, grinning at me.

“If your Pops thought that comment was an insult, he’s wrong. I’m quite happy to be compared to Dad,” I said as I held my hand out.

Demi looked at it like it was alien before taking it. “Are you gonna hold my hand into dinner?”

“We’re skipping it. I have a date planned,” I said, pulling her close.

“Wow, you haven’t asked me!”

“You are gonna like this one. Go get some warm clothes on, you’re going to need them,” I ordered as the second gong went.

“Everyone will wonder where we are,” Demi demurred.

“Christian is going to say I’m resting. Mrs Ames will inform everybody she met you on the stairs, and you are having dinner in your room because you have a headache forming. And after arguing with your Pops, that’s believable!”

“He’s right, you’re a smart ass,” Demi muttered.

“I’ll wait for you at the bottom of the stairs. Be quick!” I said, and Demi laughed and dashed away.

◆◆◆

Even the weather was playing ball with me, I thought as I stared up at the moonlight sky. There was snow falling around us, and everything was quiet. Nobody could say this wasn’t a truly beautiful night. Demi looked damn cute in a bomber coat and her jeans on show. She wore thick socks and boots. A white scarf wrapped around her neck, and a beanie was perched on top of her head. She was stunning.

“You’re so lucky,” Demi said as she took in the beauty surrounding us.

“Yeah. This is something we’d never take for granted. I don’t want to be crude or a braggart, but Mom put away a fortune to care for this place when she is gone. She wants the Hall to be kept within our family. Fanatic will inherit it as the eldest, and her will ensures we can all visit. It’s the family home. Mom was terrified we might sell, so there’s a massive trust fund with more than enough money to keep it running for two hundred years.”

“Damn! I can’t imagine having that type of cash.”

“I don’t think my mother did either. She won the English lottery, and then shrew investments made her a billionaire. Now she’s a treble billionaire, or whatever you want to call it. She just laughs and lets her investment broker work his magic. I suppose people look around at the estate, the private jet, the yacht and see a rich bitch. But Mom would be as happy without the extras.”

“I was surprised to find out she still worked.”

“Yeah, and doesn’t pull a salary either,” I said and come to a stop.

I turned Demi to face Rivendell, which was just becoming visible through the trees. I could see the fairy lights and the fires I lit.

“Shit!” Demi exclaimed as a wondrous expression settled on her face. I watched as she took in the stunning scene in front of her.

“Could we visit?” she whispered in awe.

I grabbed her hand and pulled her through the snow to the Council Hall, where the fires burned and heat hit us. Demi spun in a circle, her eyes wide, cheeks pink, and lips curved into a smile.

“So beautiful,” she mumbled.

“Yeah,” I agreed, but looking at her.

“What’s that?” Demi asked after a few minutes, spotting the table.

“Dinner.”

“We’re eating here?” Demi squealed.

“Yup. Everything should be hot, and I’ve got blankets warming if you’re feeling chilly.” With my good arm, I hauled the covers off two chairs and held Demi’s out to her.

Demi smiled shyly and took her seat as I grabbed the blankets and tucked her in.

“They’re warm!” she exclaimed.

“I left them near the fire. The fires will keep the chill off us, but I don’t want you to catch a cold,” I replied.

“What do we have?” Demi asked as I opened the pot warmers and sniffed.

“Stew with dumplings, cooked to Mom’s specification, and what looks like a trifle,” I said. “And fresh bread rolls.”

“Wow. A perfect meal for a night like this.” Demi smiled.

“Yeah. Mom has certain meals for each season. You wouldn’t get this in the summer.” I smiled.

“I would hope not! Oh, this is amazing.”

“Mom’s secret recipe,” I teased, and Demi poked her tongue out.

“Ice, thank you,” Demi said as she broke her roll in half.

“You are welcome.”

“I’ve never had such a thoughtful and romantic date. Nobody’s ever put this much effort in for me before,” Demi mused.

“Then more fool them. Because you’re worth breaking my back for,” I replied.

“You say the nicest things, Ice.”

“Demi, I am nice. Unless it concerns my family.”

“That goes for most, though. People would protect their family rather than destroy it,” Demi said.

“For me, it’s more. My parents were drunks and didn’t even realise I was around most of the time. I’ve no idea what happened to them. I hit the streets before I turned ten and luckily found Carmine, Serenity, and Harley. When you grow up without a family, finding one is a miracle. I’d happily swim in shit to make sure my people are okay.”

“Ice.”

That was all Demi said, and I knew she understood me.

Demi

Damn, how the hell did I end up on a date with this amazing man? Ice was showing he was thoughtful and kind. This night would be forever etched in my brain. It was one of the most romantic things I’d ever seen. Ice had created magic tonight, and he spellbound me. This whole scene was magical. As we ate, we talked about various stuff, and I found conversation flowed.

We shared completely different tastes in music and film, but we both enjoyed swimming and horse riding. Ice shared his dream that when he retired, he’d find kids with talent from underprivileged backgrounds and help them rise. I liked that. I even loved the fact that he didn’t take his fame seriously.

Ice explained that being famous was a fleeting thing. There were always people looking to tear you down and be jealous of what you’ve achieved. He mentioned the social media trolls, and I discovered he was fully aware of the sites I’d found last night. I could see he tried not to let those comments bother him, but there was some hurt and worry that showed through.

He explained that being in the public eye meant people like that would fixate on him. I felt sorry for him. Ice said that whenever he was in public, he had to be on guard because anything he did could be twisted. That hit home. I couldn’t imagine having to have a public face constantly.

“When do you relax?” I asked.

“Here, my apartment back in Chicago, on Rage, but even going to the shops, I have to be Mr Genial. I get approached while shopping, jogging, eating out, the life can be frustrating. But I love hockey, it’s my thing. I am never happier than when I’m on the ice and have a stick in hand. It is a part of me,” Ice answered.

“What would happen if you couldn’t play again?”

“It would be fine because I could teach. I can coach for schools, my scholarships, my love with ice hockey doesn’t have to stop.”

“That’s a really healthy attitude,” I replied, surprised.

“I watched my younger brother lose his dream. Believe me, I realise I’m lucky to be living mine,” Ice murmured. His face took on a pained expression.

“What happened?”

“Harley. He was attacked, and a couple of older kids bashed his head in. They’d been picking on Christian about Carmine. Harley intercepted them, there was six of them, but none of them wanted to fight him face to face. When Harley turned his back, one of them hit him. Harley was in a coma for a year before he woke up, and he took a long time getting on his feet. When he did, he couldn’t play baseball professionally. He’d been heading in that direction, had a lot of clubs interested in him.”

“Shit!” I exclaimed.

“Harley lost his dream and his way for a while. One day, he got up and asked to do blacksmithing. He has been hooked since.”

“I’m glad he’s found another love.”

“Yeah, me too. Which is why I won’t ever take ice hockey for granted. Some of the guys out there, it’s their entire life. Not me. I have plans for when my professional career ends, but they don’t. It’s something the NHL is now tackling, giving them tutoring for the future. A lot when their career ends aren’t sure what to do with themselves. It is a big issue. Some take a career into coaching, but considering how many professional players there are, there’re not a lot of options for them.

“That’s why I’ve made sure that when my pro career ends, I have something to focus on. I love the game, but I do not eat, sleep, and breathe it. What about you?”

“I’m happy with my dressage competitions and training horses. We’ve got a good reputation for that, the ranch, that is. My uncles also run cattle, so the ranch serves two purposes. Uncle Gid is one of the best horse trainers I know. He’s like a horse whisperer.”

I take a sip of wine that Ice had poured and wipe up the last of the stew with a piece of roll.

“That was amazing. I need your mom’s recipe.”

“I’ll get it for you. Would you like to explore before dessert?”

“Yes!”

Ice smiled at my excitement.

Ice

An hour later, I left Demi in the Lilac Cabin and headed out for our wine and dessert. The snow was falling faster and thicker, and I knew it would now be too cold to stay outside. Luckily, I’d thought ahead and turned the heating on. The cabin was toasty.

When I barrelled back into the cabin, Demi’s mouth dropped open, and she laughed at me.

“You look like a snowman!” she gasped as she giggled.

“Yeah, the snow’s really coming down now. Come and see,” I said, looking out the window and beckoning her.

Demi joined me, and a soft noise left her lips. “Oh, Ice, that’s just… I’ve not got the words…”

“Beautiful.”

“It’s more than that. Like a scene from a film,” Demi whispered as she looked out.

Amongst the snow and fairy lights, Rivendell indeed did look magical and like something from a movie.

“I didn’t realise these were working cabins,” Demi said.

“Yeah. We use them when Mom has everyone around. Between this and the Ewok cabins, there’s plenty of space.”

“Can I ask something?”

“Yes. If I don’t want to tell you, I’ll say so,” I replied with a warm smile. I wanted Demi to feel comfortable asking whatever she needed.

“I saw the attack on you by that other player. It was horrible. What’s happening to him?”

“West has been charged with assault, and my lawyer is pushing the DA to file attempted murder charges. It’s pretty obvious from the way he was smashing me into the ice that he intended to kill me. The guy’s always been aggressive, but that was beyond anything we’ve ever seen in hockey,” I explained.

“Are you frightened of going back?”

“No. If I allow fear to rule me, I’d trust no one. We had enough on the streets. I won’t live like that again.”

“Are you serious about dating me?” Demi asked, and I felt that. There was uncertainty in her question.

“Fuck, yes.”

“Why?” Demi looked confused.

“You are funny, a straight shooter, loyal, you own your mistakes, and I like what I see. Of course, you’re hot as fuck, which helps a lot,” I replied and laughed as Demi whacked my stomach lightly.

“I bet it’s the hot as fuck that matters,” Demi complained, but there was a twinkle in her eye.

“No. Never. I’m not bragging… I could date models and actresses, but they’re shallow. It is always about their looks and image. I deserve someone genuine. Dating you because you are beautiful is cheapening both of us. Your personality calls to me, even when you’re being abrasive, because I could tell that was defensive.”

“I agree, I was being defensive. My story is out there, your club knows it, others know it. How people treat me is now going to be different. Ice, I don’t want pity or compassion and being treated with kid gloves. The victim is my mom, but even then, she’d argue with you. Mom and grandma both refuse to be Fury’s victims, although I think it’s harder on Grandma. Grandma has a lot of guilt that she did not stop Fury doing what he did to my mother. But she didn’t know about it, and luckily, he only raped her twice before she fell pregnant.”

“I’m not sure what’s lucky about being raped twice.”

“He could have done it multiple times or offered her to his men. Make no mistake, Ice, I know exactly what Fury is. When I was younger, I asked Mom if I could have a blood transplant, so I didn’t share his blood. I was a kid, but I knew what evil looked like. Of course, I did not know the full truth. Not until I turned eighteen. None of the cousins know, either.

“We’ve taught them to watch out for strangers and what to do if we’re attacked, but they are unaware of the stories. Those kids deserve to grow up happy like I did. But they’re trained just as I was. And I don’t regret any of it. Out of my family, I’m the best shot, and that’s saying something. I love shooting and want to compete, but Pops was frightened Fury might find me that way.”

“Does he know about you?”

“No. Uncle Deke got Mom out before Fury realised she was pregnant. He has no idea about me.”

“Can’t say I like your circumstances, but I am fuckin’ over the moon you exist. I got good feelings about us,” I said, and Demi blushed.

“I’m attracted to you, Ice, I won’t lie. But you’re in the spotlight, and I can imagine that anyone you date would be scrutinised. I am terrified the truth might come out, and so many people know it now.”

“Nobody in our circle would out you to the press,” I insisted.

“Easy to say, but it could happen. I’m frightened, and not for me, but for my family. They’d be under attack, too. Kid’s lives would be made hell on earth at school. The little bastards there would ask if they’re inbred, too. The people we work with would eye us suspiciously. The truth of my birth hitting the media would cause a shit storm.”

“Yes, it would. And I can only begin to imagine the headlines. But everyone here would stand with you,” I argued.

Demi cupped my face and looked deep into my eyes. “Tell me, Ice. Would your friends and allies really stand behind the daughter of their worst enemy? Or would they pay lip service and then leave me out to hang?”

I wanted to immediately jump and say yes, we would take her back. But my mind flipped to McKenna and how she was now in a psychiatric ward. Hawthorne’s were baying for blood, with Dylan and Davies tying for first spot. And it wasn’t just the men who worked for Hawthorne’s, the entire family was up in arms.

Ramirez, Nando, Bobby, and the rest of RCPD wanted revenge for Justin and Dan. Justin’s death had rocked them, and Dan’s paralysation had scared them further. The truth was, someone in the RCPD or Hawthorne’s may out Demi to get even. Even though she was as much as an innocent as Fury’s other victims.

“See,” Demi whispered.

“We’ll find a way to be together. I just found you, and I refuse to lose you,” I swore as I cupped her face and kissed her.