The silence is deafening until he admits, “I don’t know, but I don’t deal in hypotheticals. I deal in facts.”
“Fair. I’m really fucking torn, Wraith. On the one hand, I know I should never want to see you or talk to you again. I should retire and move my brother somewhere where I never have to see your face.”
“Understandable.”
“But on the other hand…” Am I really going to admit this? What good will it do? What outcome am I expecting?
“On the other hand?” Wraith prompts, sounding hopeful.
Fuck it. “You make me feel things I didn’t know I could. For the first time in my life, you make me feel whole, like I’m more than just a hockey player. More than a shit-talking loudmouth defenseman. Just… more.”
“You are so much more. Truth be told, I don’t care about the hockey part that much.”
I actually laugh. “You’re the first.”
“Do you want to come over here? Would it help while I keep looking for Boone?”
“Come to your house?”
“Yes.”
“But if someone saw me, your brothers, would they say anything?”
“Pax, remember what we do for a living. The last thing we’re gonna do is invade someone’s privacy. Besides, they only need to know we know each other. Doesn’t have to be more than that.”
My stomach flutters with nerves, but I am curious to see where he lives, and being with him would probably be better than pacing my living room waiting for news.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” He blows out a breath. “I’ll text you the address.”
“Should I wait until after you talk to your boss?”
“No, it’ll be fine. Maybe it’ll even help if you’re here. He’ll realize how serious it is. I’ve never brought anyone into my world.”
“Okay. I’ll get moving.”
“Good. I’ll see you soon, Pax.”
“See you soon, Wraith.”
I end the call and lean my head on the steering wheel. What the fuck am I doing? I trust Wraith even though I fundamentally know I shouldn’t. For all I know, he’s got Boone in the basement and I’m walking into a trap.
Shaking my head, I sit back in my seat. No. I know that’s not what’s going on. He wouldn’t have to be that sneaky if what he ultimately wanted was to take me out. He knows where I live, where I work, where to find me at any given time.
I believe him and I believe that he is actually trying to help me. He’s putting his neck on the line for my brother, and that means something.
Maybe more than I want to admit.
