Page 107 of Callous Shot

Culverhouse’s lip curled. “You’re just as appallingly arrogant as your dad. I may have held a grudging respect for your ice hockey technique, but as for everything else…you’re a disgrace.”

“He’s the furthest thing from a disgrace,” Neil ground out. He turned to me, his expression serious. “Your dad would’ve been very proud of you. Just as I am.”

My mum’s hand landed on my arm, rubbing it gently. “As am I. We love you, and we’re so proud of you, Daniel.”

There was a lump in my throat. Rubbing my hand over my jaw, I shifted on my feet.

“Uh, yeah. Thanks. Same to you both, you know.”

“How touching,” Culverhouse spat, and Neil slammed his fist into his stomach, making him double over, wheezing.

“I suggest you stop talking, unless you want me to cut your tongue out right now. No? Should I save that for later?”

Culverhouse’s face paled, and he glanced around wildly. Nope, there was still no one coming to save him.

Neil smirked before turning his back on Culverhouse, giving me his full attention. He squeezed my shoulder. “Dan? Listen, this is our fight. Mine and your mum’s. It’s been a long time coming, and we’ve got it from here. I think you’re needed somewhere else, if my hunch is correct.”

I studied his face, taking in his serious expression before stepping back with a nod. I was needed elsewhere, and I had to trust that they had everything handled.

“Culvers? What you think of me is irrelevant. You took my dad. You took my mum’s husband. You took my uncle’s brother—his best fucking friend, and guess what? Now it’s time for your payback. Enjoy prison, bro. That is, if you’re still alive after Neil’s finished with you.” I saluted him again before turning on my heel and jogging down the steps.

It was time for me to pay the Bellingham mansion a visit.

48

LINCOLN

I burst into the car park at a dead run, sprinting towards my SUV. Mike was gone, co-ordinating a raid on the Culverhouse properties in Wiltshire, and I was the only person who could stop my father. I had to trust that the Hoytons had the situation at the rink handled, but this part was down to me.

“Bellingham!”

Whirling around, I found Ryker Thorpe bearing down on me. I came to a stop, vibrating with tension. “What is it? I have somewhere I need to be.”

“Dan asked me to make sure you left the rink.”

My heart skipped a beat. “He’s not in danger, is he?”

Ryker shook his head. “He’s fine. The Hoytons have it covered. I’ve confirmed that backup is on the way, and we have Dr. Attwood on standby in the car park.” He glanced towards the far corner, where a large black Volvo was parked.

“Okay. That’s good. I, uh, I need to stop my father. I know he has something planned. I found papers, and my uncle’s been investigating, and— Fuck. I don’t want Dan and his family to be hurt because I didn’t do enough to stop him.”

Ryker studied me in silence, his face grim. Finally, he nodded. “You care about Dan.”

“More than anything.”

“Alright,” he said. “In that case…give me your phone.”

I handed it over, watching in disbelief as he input his number into my contacts. When he was finished, he glanced up at me, smirking at the expression on my face.

“Nothing about the two of you together makes any fucking sense, but somehow, it makes perfect sense at the same time.” He nodded at my phone as he passed it back to me. “It’s fucked up, and I don’t get it, but— Whatever. If you get into trouble, phone me. Dan’ll kill me if I let anything happen to you.”

“I’m going to stop my father from doing anything stupid,” I said. “I can handle him.”

“Good. Stay safe, for Dan’s sake.”

“I will.” We nodded at each other, an understanding passing between us, and then he turned away, jogging towards an SUV idling beneath one of the security floodlights. I didn’t bother hanging around, running straight for my Aston Martin.

As I drove, I replayed the text in my head over and over again. The text that had been waiting for me when I turned my phone on after the game.