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“I get the urge to take the easy road and try to manage this yourself. But you need to be relying on your guy for emotional support. I can’t help you.”

“And why not?”

“Because I might actually think this marriage to Naz isn’t such a bad thing.”

I pointed at him. “Wash your mouth out.”

“Can’t. I’m still enjoying the post-cupcake effect.” He grinned. “Come on, Lo. Are you telling me that this hasty marriage in Vegas was pure accident? Even how you’re reacting now—it’s giving a hundred times more passion than whatever you have with Thad.”

I shook my head vehemently. “No, no, no. This passion you’re witnessing is me feeling trapped by Nazarov and needing out. And don’t start giving me shit about the universe. I need you on my side here, Jason. I need you to talk to him and tell him to make this divorce happen.”

He inhaled deeply, and after a long pause, said, “If that’s what you want.”

“It is. Absolutely.”

And in the meantime, I would think about how to break the news of my marriage to my boyfriend.

Chapter Seventeen

Alexei

* * *

The grounds at Chase Manor looked like something out of a fairytale, complete with a white trellis with climbing roses, a beautifully landscaped garden with a pretty pond, and a fancy tea set with little pastries I should not be eating as countdown to the season start loomed.

I had been summoned.

Harper Chase, the Rebel Queen and CEO of the team that had just bought my contract, lifted a floral-patterned teapot and said, “Earl Grey?”

“Sure, Ms. Chase.”

“Oh, it’s Harper. Please.” She poured a cup and nudged it my way. “Help yourself to cream and sugar.”

I did and let the silence build. While I had met Harper a few times over the years in social settings, I had never had a real conversation with her.

“What happened to your face, Alexei?”

No amount of ice could keep a bruise from forming where my father had struck me.

“I am still getting used to the cabinets in the kitchen. I misjudged an open door.”

“At least you didn’t lose your balance. I wouldn’t have been happy to hear that. How are things otherwise?”

“I’m fine. It was good to move here ahead of the season, get organized.”

“And do you feel that? Organized?”

I wasn’t used to people in my business. Vadim had warned me before I made overtures to be acquired by the Rebels that “from top-down, they will meddle in your life.” I had expected team nosiness, that kind of thing. I did not expect the boss to be so hands-on.

“My house is in order. Well-furnished with all my personal things where I like them. I have found a coffee shop, a bakery, and a place to get my nails done. All is good.”

She smiled. “You know, I couldn’t believe it when you said you wanted to end your career in Chicago. We didn’t think we could afford you, but then you took a pay cut. Even with your injury-interrupted play last year, you could have scored a bigger contract with another team.”

“Coming to this city is important to me.”

“Because of your father?”

I nodded, though it wasn’t the truth. It would have been better to keep him in Seattle, close to everything he knew. But Chicago had other attractions.