Page 34

“We are on a mission,” Emil shrugs. We walk through the house that shows plenty of room for a dining room or play space if I decide to do that, and I see what he means by the cabinets in the kitchen. They’re a bit dated, but there’s a lot of space. The windows will give me natural light, and the kitchen has an open floor plan to the living room. I can watch Zayn play as he gets older and cook. “Thoughts, mija?”

“The cabinets fit the house,” I say slowly.

“Mmhmm. But?”

“All of the wood is throwing me,” I admit.

“We’ll change it,” he says easily.

“The stove, washer/dryer, microwave, and dishwasher will come with the house,” Monica says, watching us.

“Hmm. That’s nice,” Emil says noncommittally. My grandfather has money, this isn’t going to make or break anything for him. “Come see the outside with me, mija.”

I nod, walking with him, sighing as I gaze out at the high privacy shrubs and palm trees.

“This is so pretty,” I sigh. “I want it…”

“Good, because I want it for you,” Emil grins.

“Did you know I’d fall in love with this property? Is this why it’s the last one?”

“That would make me manipulative. I simply left the best for last,” he shrugs. “I’ll let Monica know we’re interested and make an appointment for an inspector to come out to check everything. After that, I’ll start working my magic and close this deal. The house will be under a shell corporation. I don’t want your name anywhere near it, even if it is your fake name.”

He’s speaking in a low tone, and I nod as I bounce with Zayn. My son is looking around, doing his best to see. I know his vision isn’t the best yet, but he’s damn well trying.

“If all goes well, this will be yours and Zayn’s,” he says. “Let’s go get this done, and then I’ll hang out with my grandson while you get ready for dinner. Happy birthday, mija.”

“Thank you,” I breathe, sniffing. Dammit, I was doing so good.

Emil hugs me tightly as I begin to cry, overwhelmed by his generosity. This is a place I can spread my wings with my son, where we’ll be safe. My family keeps surprising me with things I didn’t know I wanted, and it’s a heady feeling.

“We will always take care of you and your son,” he whispers. “Living means doing it full out. No fear, mija. Enjoy the fuck out of life, because you deserve it.”

I promise him I will. My life has been too full of pain, and I’m ready to move forward. My art is taking off, I’m finding ways to connect with my community, and it’s slowly all coming together.

I want to make every year count, especially when I didn’t think I’d make it to nineteen.

CHAPTER

TEN

FIVE YEARS LATER

ALASTAIR

My skates tear along the ice as I evade the enemy team. The Colorado Snow Canyons now have all three devils on their team, but the victory feels hollow. I slide the puck behind me toward Ciaran, and he whips around to continue toward the goalie and his crease.

We’re in Portland at an away game and up by three. The Canyons offered Ci a spot on their team a few months before he graduated from the University of Denver, agreeing to allow him to finish his degree.

The reality is he could have easily been pulled by a company to work as an ethical hacker, but that’s not where his passion lies. We need to be together to keep from losing him.

Ci was having a rough time in college and he still is. He was up too late, gaming with his brother to keep from picking up a bottle, and depressed as fuck. Hockey has saved his life in the past, I have to hope that it’ll pull him out of his funk now.

We’re early in the season, but damn are the Canyons on fire. Ci passes the puck to a teammate, and he hits it through a space between the goalie’s legs. My grin is a baring of teeth as I punch my fist into the air, knowing that while we’re in enemy territory, we’re still kicking ass.

For some reason, the Portland Oilers have decided they fucking hate our asses. It began two years ago when we really began consecutively kicking tail, and never stopped. I hung out in the American Hockey League for about six months before the Canyons picked me up, and then we began really working together to gel as a team.

It’s not easy to find your rhythm with a bunch of new guys, and I checked my ego at the door once I graduated from Chesterfield Prep. I’m not the biggest swinging dick on the team, and I’m alright with that.