Then I remember.
Lexi.
I left her at the trailer park.
I grab my phone, pull up her number, call.
It rings. And rings. And rings.
Voicemail.
I hang up and stare at the screen.
The first practice of the season starts in ten minutes.
I need to get to the rink. Need to show my face, act normal, pretend I didn’t just get the shit kicked out of me by my own stepdad.
Lexi will have to wait.
I start the car and drive.
The rink is freezing as always.
I change in the locker room, moving slow, careful not to let anyone see how much pain I’m in.
Oxy notices immediately.
“You good?” he asks, eyeing my taped fingers.
“Yeah. Jammed them yesterday.”
“Bullshit.”
I glare at him. “Quiet.”
He holds up his hands. “Alright, man. Whatever you say.”
On the ice, I push through the pain. Every stride sends shockwaves through my ribs. Every time I grip my stick, my broken fingers protest.
But I skate. I hit. I shoot.
Because if I stop, if I show weakness, everything falls apart.
After practice, I check my phone again.
Still nothing from Lexi.
I text her.
Koa:Meet me at the rink.
No response.
I sit in my car, staring at the message, wondering if I just lost the one good thing in my life.
Wondering if she’s smart enough to run.
Wondering if I should let her before Vincent’s plan comes into fruition, and he takes her life to lure out her father. He hasn’t for two years, but he wasn’t desperate then. Now? His shit’s falling apart, and he’s going after everyone who owes him, big or small. And Gilbert owes him big time. Years of working under Vincent built up to fucking him over half a million.
