Page 62 of Code Violation

All that said, Denver’s departure to the farm team won’t land as a surprise to anyone.

“I wish Denver all the best. He’s a great guy,” I eventually respond.

Theo scoffs at my reaction, but still doesn’t say a word.

Coach shifts in his chair. “Moving on to the second matter at hand. Tristan Vaughn. We have made the difficult decision to hand the alternate captaincy to Will Jones. Tristan has fallen out of favor with the fans, and his performances are making it increasingly hard to justify giving him significant ice time. We appreciate it’s early in the season, but we can’t risk the positive start we’ve made, and we feel playing Tristan regularly is sending the wrong message to the team.”

I chew on my bottom lip. “Does he know yet?”

“Yes.” Theo joins the conversation. “It wasn’t received well, but frankly, I don’t reward mediocrity, and Tristan is fortunate to be still playing pro hockey.”

Even if this guy didn’t have an upper-class British accent, he’d still sound full of himself.

That would explain Tristan’s mood earlier in the locker room.

“Will isn’t aware of our decision as yet. We wanted to clue you in before dropping the news to him and the team.”

Unlike the owner, Coach is a good guy with a difficult past in his own pro hockey career. I can tell from his eyes that he doesn’t relish blowing Tristan’s world apart today.

Under the impression that the meeting is over, I rise from my chair.

“One last thing before you go, Silas.”

I sit back down, convinced this is about Vesper, even though my personal life has nothing to do with the Rogues, unless it affects my performance.

“Mason James.”

Double shit.

“What about him?” I play dumb.

Theo stands from the couch. His build and stature scream of an ex–pro hockey player, but ice hockey isn’t a big deal back in the UK. The guy is from an aristocratic background, which would explain all of his fucking money.

“I bumped into him in the hallway the other day and smelled booze. Specifically whiskey.”

Fuck me, Mason.

“Are you aware of whether he has a drinking issue? I know his marriage recently broke down, so he’s undoubtedly stressed.”

My eyes immediately track to Coach. For years, he played with—and successfully hid—an alcohol addiction. If anyone can empathize and cut Mason a break at this moment, it’s him.

“I personally haven’t picked up on anything concerning, Theo, but I can speak to him when we get the chance.”

Satisfied, Theo nods once, but says nothing to either of us, leaving the room in the cold manner he entered it.

I need to get out of here, get on the ice, and then head over to see my girl.

“Silas?” Coach speaks, sensing my imminent departure.

I turn to him, pissed off at the way my teammates have been treated. We might not be the best team in the league, but we’ve cleaned up our act a lot over the past couple of seasons, and much of that is down to consistent ice time from both Tristan and Mason. Throwing them under the bus doesn’t feel very captain-like of me, and if Theo expected me to sell out Mason, then he was sorely mistaken. I’m too long in the tooth and I have been through enough difficulties in my life to start handing out more shit to people who are already buried knee deep in issues.

“Yeah?”

Arms folded across his chest, he blows out a long sigh. “Is Mason okay to be on the ice? I’m asking from a safeguarding perspective.”

I don’t give him eye contact, rising from my chair and making for the exit. “He’s safe. But I’ll speak to him when there aren’t any prying ears around.”

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