ETT'

ndows of the study, the violent storm outsi

sat behind his massive mahogany desk like a king o

rously quiet, though my jaw was tight enough to cra

request, Beckett. It's an order! The Carlisle merger secures our con

treated like a pawn in his corporate chess games. "The family's future, or your busine

"Your status, your contract, that damned 'C' on your jersey! Without my influence, you are nothing! You cross

anger I'd been holding

ser to the desk. "You didn't skate those grueling drills. You didn't take those hits a

ithout flinching. "So go

his cold eyes, quickly replaced by a deep

. Freeze every credit card, bank account, and trust fund under the

lips. "As of now, you are disowned. Let's see how long y

ght lifted off my chest. I felt no fear. Only

of the study, the heavy oak doors s

me. He held out a set of keys, his eyes full of worry. "Mr. B

h escaped my lips. "Oh, right. He bought the car, too." I shook my head

t drop carelessly to the pristine marble floor. Dressed in just a thin white dress s

kin, but as I walked down the long, winding driveway of the estate

care. I just needed to put as much dista

he rain blurring my vision. Cars sped past, their tires

o, my teammate. I ignored it. I didn't wan

ed to the bone, shivering violently, and my stomach growled with

an Uber before he cut off my phone plan. Pride was a warm conce

mpulsiveness, blinding headlig

e car fishtailed, sliding wildly before slamming to a halt mere inches

ome to getting run over, the driver's door flew op

oice cutting through the thunder. "Ar

of the headlights. Through the heavy downpour,