Page 107 of Code Violation

“Yeah, actually, there is. Tell the whole fucking world that I’m in love and going to be a daddy in the offseason. And tell them that I’m the luckiest man alive to finally call the kindest, most loyal, and most beautiful woman all mine. Tell them it was only a matter of time before the right brother showed her the love that she always deserved.”

34

. . .

Silas

The following morning, two very different expressions greet me as I enter a boardroom and take a seat opposite Theo and Coach.

The gray circles beneath Coach’s eyes tell me that he’s barely slept a wink, whereas Theo’s are red and for a very different reason—he’s pissed. When I joined the Rogues, he knew about my past, and back then, he didn’t care so long as I brought it on the ice.

Right now, he doesn’t look so relaxed about it all, and I hope his anger is directed at my brother because I’m not about to make any apologies about me and Vesper, the pregnancy, or for breaking Kane’s nose.

“This is a key part in our season, and instead of talking about making a charge for the playoffs, we’re trying to put out fires started by your personal life.” Theo’s tone is cutting.

Fuck me, this guy is an asshole at times. In his British accent and snappy black suit, he sounds and looks superior. Although I’m willing to bet he has plenty of skeletons in his closet.

I fold my arms in a defensive stance and lean back in my chair. “My publicist and agent are dealing with the fallout, and I’ve been in touch with my legal team this morning regarding the restraining order Kane talked to the press about.”

Theo scoffs, and Coach leans forward, blue eyes pinned on me.

“Is any of what Kane said true?”

I look between them both. “Yeah.”

Theo scoffs again and pushes back his chair.

I hold up a hand, halting him. “Let me tell you which parts are accurate, and then you can go ahead and decide what you want to do with me.”

Coach purses his lips. “General public consensus is, you’re a bully for punching your brother and stealing his girlfriend.”

I just smile because people will make up their fucking minds without a shred of evidence. “Let them think what they want to think about me. They’re wrong.”

“Ah, yeah.” Theo clicks his fingers. “That’s exactly what we should do to sell merchandise. Why didn’t I think of that, Silas? I’ll put out a team statement right now, telling our fans to go fuck themselves because our captain doesn’t give a crap what they think about him or his off-ice antics.”

I force back an eye roll.

“I only got with Vesper after she broke up with my brother. The pregnancy was unplanned, and the baby is very much wanted. In terms of the hit I put on him, it was well warranted and for reasons which are private to my girlfriend.”

Coach quirks a brow. He can sniff out an abusive relationship from a hundred miles away, unsurprising, given his traumatic childhood.

“Is Kane bad news?” he asks in a softer voice than before.

I look off to the side, unexpectedly overcome with emotion. Images of my mom asking me to stand by my brother, coupled with the pained look in my girl’s eyes whenever I tried to talk to her about Kane to help her see that she could do so much fucking better than his sorry ass—they’re overwhelming. Even if the guy she ended up falling for didn’t turn out to be me, I only ever wanted her to be happy and to feel loved.

“Yeah,” I simply answer.

“Silas,” Coach presses, elbows braced on the table. He pulls off his black ball cap and sets it down next to him. “This restraining order Kane claims was falsely granted, was that to protect Vesper from him?”

I bite down on the inside of my cheek, eyes briefly flashing to Theo. He looks less pissed at least.

“Let’s just say that when Vesper came into my life, it was under very challenging circumstances, but now, she’s right where she was always supposed to be. She and the baby are safe, and that’s all that matters to me. So, if the public wants to go ahead and make inaccurate assumptions, then I don’t much care because, tonight, she’ll be climbing into my bed, and in August, I’ll be the father of her child.”

Theo steeples his fingers, thinking. “That’s a really sweet story and everything, Silas. But it doesn’t solve my issue of what to do with you on the ice. You would need to metaphorically throw your brother under the bus to clear your own name, and I’m not sure you’re that type of guy.”

I study him for a beat. He is definitely the type of guy who would step on anyone for the sake of his business. Including the captain of the hockey team. Difference is, I’ve known a struggle in my life, along with the inside of a jail cell. It doesn’t get much lower than that.

Do your worst, Theo.