Cold dread twists in my gut. “Nik, I can’t just get in deeper. I’m not repeating his mistakes. I won’t owe you what I owe them.”
He holds up a hand. “I don’t expect you to. I’ll keep it simple. Perhaps you can help out with a little work—loading or unloading shipments, nothing too strenuous or hazardous. A few nights here and there in exchange for keeping you and the people you care about safe, at least until you get your own situation sorted.”
“And how long does this arrangement last?” I ask, voice flat.
Nik shrugs, matter-of-fact. “Until you don’t need it anymore, Callaghan. Simple.”
I huff, rolling my shoulders as we both grab our towels. “Yeah. Simple. Nothing about my life is ever simple.”
Nik gives me one of his rare, half-smiles. “You want simple, you picked the wrong sport. Or the wrong city.”
We’re just about to leave when the door bangs open and Conner strolls in, hair sticking up like he’s been in a wind tunnel.
He stops dead, smirking like he just walked in on something scandalous.
“Well, well. Ivanov and Callaghan. Alone. Sweaty. At sunrise. Should I knock next time? Should we come back later? You two need a minute?”
Nik doesn’t even look up from tossing his towel into the hamper.
“You wouldn’t last sixty seconds in here, Murphy.”
Mickey chuckles, flicking water at Max. “I dunno, Nik, you and Liam in here early, grunting and sweating… It’s a lot of energy for this hour.”
Max just shakes his head. “Some people are built differently, man. I barely got out of bed.”
Dominic’s already peeling off his hoodie. “Yeah, but are any of you planning to lift today, or just gossiping?”
Nik heads for the exit, pausing just long enough to look at me. “Two o’clock with the agent. Friday after practice with the advisor. Don’t be late.”
I nod, and as Nik disappears.
Conner lets out a low whistle. “Damn, Callaghan. Whatever he’s cooking up for you, I hope it doesn’t kill you. Or, if it does, can I have your Honda and parking spot?”
I shake my head, grinning despite myself. “You can fight Max for it.”
Max groans louder. “Leave me out of your death-wishes, man.”
I can’t help but feel a little better.
Even with the shit storm brewing, at least I’m not in it alone.
22
EMMA
On a whim,I bought two tickets for tonight’s home game.
Laddie isn’t familiar with hockey, so I can’t wait to see what he thinks of it all.
I haven’t told him anything about his dad playing for the team.
I want to, but the timing’s not right yet. And I definitely didn’t mention it to Liam, either. Tonight’s just for Laddie and me.
No pressure, no big reveals.
Just a night out, a little normalcy for the two of us.
I remember a bit about hockey from back when I used to watch Liam play in high school, but it’s been years. I need a refresher, and I’m really looking forward to seeing him on the ice, as just another face in the crowd.
