Page 62

“She owes me a favor.” Escallates said it the way someone else would have said they’d won the Powerball.

Great. And now for the final topic - the most important topic of my meeting with the owner of the Tusks.

“Sir, Bwat is not the best player on your team–”

“He sucks,” the demon interrupted. “He sucks giant donkey balls. There aren’t many other orcs on the team as terrible at skating or playing hockey as Bwat.”

My third wince of the day. “He tries very hard, sir. And he has become the team resource on the different kinds of plays, the rules, and the strategy of the game.”

Escallates shrugged. “The coach starts tomorrow. He’ll know all that.”

“Bwat has become a media darling. The journalists go to him for interviews. His social media accounts have more followers and interaction than eighty percent of other NHL players. He has a cult following.” I took a deep breath, then made my pitch…or plea. “While he may not be a capable player, I would strongly recommend keeping him on the team. From a marketing standpoint, he is invaluable.”

It was probably only seconds, but it felt like an hour before the demon replied.

“I’m going to leave that decision up to the new coach. But unless he’s strongly opposed to keeping Bwat on the team, I’m inclined to continue his contract. Any publicity is good publicity, right?”

“Right,” I agreed weakly.

It wasn’t a firm commitment, but I knew it was the best I could get at this time. The next step would be to make my case to the new coach.

I didn’t know whether Bwat wanted to continue to play hockey or not, but I wanted it to be his choice whether he took a different career path or not. He’d worked so hard, put so much effort into making this team a success. It would be horrible if none of that were recognized, if he were bounced out the door. He was too earnest, too sweet to have life treat him with such harshness. And if I could make a difference, stall or influence or anything, then I would.

He’d do the same for me.

28

BWAT

Iarrived at the same time as Daniella and Malik, with a carry-container full of coffee products, and several bags of pastry items. The three of us were surprised to find the office dark and unoccupied when we walked in.

Both humans turned to face me with accusing stares.

“Did you fuck her into exhaustion last night?” Malik asked. “Because there is no other reason for her to be not in the office before seven-thirty.”

I wished that was the case, although I didn’t reply because Abby’s sex life was none of their business. And I was worried. Had she received bad news about her mother’s cancer biopsy? Surely she would have texted me no matter the hour if she had. Besides, I didn’t think doctors delivered medical news after five o’clock in the evening.

“She was here until after nine,” Daniella told her coworker. “I saw her posting on the team Instagram account at eight-forty-five. A girl needs her beauty sleep. If she’s not in by ten, we’ll call the police.”

“Ten!” Malik’s voice was high and shrill. “Ten! I don’t think Abby has ever arrived to work at ten in her entire life. If she’s not in by ten then forget the police, we need to call the coroner.”

I wasn’t worried…well, not terribly worried. I’d walked her out to her car last night. She’d kissed me. I’d watched her drive off. And when I’d walked by her apartment later, I’d seen her car out front, the lights off, and no sign that there had been a struggle or anything to cause concern.

“Nine then,” Malik compromised.

I put Abby’s coffee and muffin on her desk and picked up one of her colorful sticky-pads to write a note.

“Nine o’clock and we’ll text her,” Daniella said. “And if she doesn’t respond, we’ll send Bwat over. I’m not about to get my ass chewed out because I sent the police on a welfare check when Abby is just catching up on shut-eye.”

“I will happily volunteer for ass-chewing,” I announced.

Malik snickered, slapping a hand over his mouth and Daniella rolled her eyes.

Slightly worried, I left the office and headed downstairs to the gym to see Eng, Ozar, Ugwyll, Morag, and Pug already there.

Pug rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Bwat. My male!”

The others turned to stare at him.