He nodded.“At the airport.It was on the socials.That’sthe guy her father wanted her to marry?”
“Yeah.Hand-picked.He’s being groomed to take over the business.”
Coach pursed his lips.“I’m going to make sure Gunnar knows.”
I met his gaze, willing him to answer when I asked.“Why would you tell the team owner?”
Coach hesitated, then looked away.“He should know, that’s all.”
I sighed, giving up on that for now.“Okay, but my bigger concern is making sure Millie’s safe while I’m out of town.”
Coach clasped his hands between his spread knees.“You don’t have to worry about a thing there, Luka.”His expression was earnest.“Paloma’s already working on a schedule so one guy is always here with her.If that can’t happen, we’ll move her into our guest room.No way will we leave her alone.She’s a Wildcatter, same as you.”
I took a deep breath and met my coach’s eyes.“Not sure I want to stay one if Gunnar plans to sell even a portion of the team to an asshole like Chasten Jones.”
Millie
I clutchedat the neck of my T-shirt.When I went to the bathroom and found Luka’s toiletries missing, I’d panicked.Now, though, I wondered if I should have stayed in bed, preferably with my head buried under the pillow.
A shiver rippled down my spine as I stood in the hallway, setting the hair on my arms on end.They were talking about my father—the man who had photographic evidence of the guys I’d slept with during and after high school.Ten.I’d tried ten different times to find someone to love me.I’d failed not just at relationships, but at sex.That was the reason I’d slept with Luka.I’d just thought he’d give me fireworks.Instead, he gave me everything I ever wanted.
And my father could take it all away by showing everyone my mistakes.I laid my hand against the wall, woozy.
“Not sure I would either,” Coach Whittaker said.His distaste was obvious.“Which is why I’ll bring this up to Gunnar first chance I get.”
Luka’s eyes rounded as he jumped off the couch, moving toward me with the speed of a professional athlete.“Why are you out of bed?”he asked.His warm palm engulfed my elbow.
“I heard voices…” I looked up at him, my heart still thundering.What have you done, Luka?
“Millie, this is Silas Whittaker, the Wildcatters head coach.Coach, this is Millie.”He beamed a smile of pride toward his coach.
“What’s…what’s going on?”I asked.
“A pleasure to meet you, Millie,” Silas said, his smile and tone pleasant.“Paloma plans to be here later.”
“Okaaaaaay.”I drew out the word, confusion and possibly exhaustion making me slow to understand.
Luka led me to the couch, where he cuddled in close.“I’m packed and have a flight out in a couple of hours.Cruz is in the building in case you need anything.Then Paloma’s going to organize the CATS and players, so you’re not alone while I’m gone.”
I nodded slowly.“I appreciate that.Having help with Bree…” I swallowed.“What does that have to do with my father?”
I caught Silas’ flinch from the corner of my eye.He strolled forward and perched on the edge of the armchair.“When Luka called me earlier, I wasn’t the listener he needed or deserved.”
Luka’s shock reverberated from his hand and up his arm.I leaned in closer, offering a modicum of the comfort he seemed to always be offering me.
“I came here to apologize, and he mentioned your father.I don’t like what I’ve learned, Millie.”
I flinched, my heart rate escalating.Luka wrapped an arm tighter around me.
Silas raised his hands, palms out.“Not aboutyou.Your father.What he’s done to you…” He smashed his lips together, his nostrils flaring.“I have a daughter.I cannot imagine ever, ever treating her like…”
“Like my father treated me.”
Silas gave a stiff nod.
I looked at my lap.These two men held much of my current situation and future in their hands.In some ways, I hadn’t carved out the independence I’d been so desperate to achieve.Not even by moving to Sri Lanka.I still relied on men to help me navigate my world.While only half the population, men in my life held higher-paid and higher-level positions than me or most of my female friends.
I was so damn tired of not being able to stand on my own two feet.
