Page 422 of Power Play

“I know.”

Her hands tightened around my jacket. “He loves you so much.”

“He saved me before either of us understood that was what he was doing.”

Bliss looked back at Cade. “You saved him too.”

I swallowed hard before lowering my mouth near her ear.

“Take care of Charm for me.”

Bliss’s breath caught.

“I will.”

“Don’t tell her I said that.”

She pulled back and searched my face. “I won’t.”

Briggs had remained in his chair through every goodbye. I looked at him next.

He stood slowly, his jaw already tight, and I knew he’d spent the entire night preparing for this moment. Briggs followed me to Flint when I tried to disappear. He took my punches, carried my rage, and held me on the lodge floor while I broke apart badly enough to make every guy in the room look away.

He knew what leaving cost because he was the only person I couldn’t hide it from.

I stopped in front of him and gripped the back of his neck.

“Milwaukee wants you,” I told him.

His eyes narrowed. “What?”

“They asked about you. More than once.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You had enough happening.”

“Ryan.”

“I told them you’re a pain in my ass, but you’re one of the best goalies I’ve ever seen.”

His mouth twitched. “Very generous.”

“They’re watching you, Briggs. Keep showing off and make sure they remember your name.”

He held my stare as the weight of it settled between us. Hockey still waited for him. For all the changes coming and every path none of us could predict, the Inferno had noticed him.

“If you choose Milwaukee,” I said, “you’ll have family there.”

Briggs’s eyes filled.

“If I get the offer, brother, we’ll be on the same team again.”

The words went directly through me.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He nodded once. “If Milwaukee wants me, I’m coming.”