Page 71 of Blood on Ice

“Vito, that’s not?—”

“Yes, it is. Things work differently in our family. I think you understand that.”

I did, or at least I thought I did, but everything felt crazy, like I was in a dream.

“Don’t let them intimidate you,” Vito said. “They’ll try, especially Lucien and my father. They’re going to assess you. Look them in the eye and don’t back down.”

“So, just like when I’m squaring up with another team.”

“Right, except now you’re playing for your life, not for a winning goal.”

“Fuck, you really know how to put a guy at ease.”

He chuckled and rang the doorbell as I prayed I would make it through this meeting. I wanted the Marchesis on my side, and I also wanted Vito to be proud of me.

Why did that matter so much? If I was just having fun and getting his protection….

You know that’s not what this is. You know you’re feeling so much more and so is he.

Was he really? I thought about the way he’d looked at me earlier, the way he’d told me he knew what I was feeling, the things I couldn’t say. Did he? Or did he just want to put me off? Was he hoping I wouldn’t say something we’d both regret?

He’s brought you to meet his family.

He doesn’t have a lot of choice.

He could’ve left you with the guards and come to this meeting on his own.

He could have. Val hadn’t wanted to let Liam come with him, but it had never been a question that Vito was bringing me.

The older man I’d seen with Vito at my game opened the door.

“Zeke, this is my father, Dominic Marchesi.”

He held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He had a firm, warm handshake. “I’m honored to be invited to your home, Mr. Marchesi.”

“Please, call me Dom.” He winked at Vito. “Good on the ice and nice manners. Aren’t you lucky?”

Without saying another word, he turned and encouraged me to follow him. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of his behavior. He seemed almost flirtatious. Would he flirt with me in front of his son? I mean, he was fucking gorgeous, but I’d fallen for Vito. I couldn’t deny it anymore. I’d fallen. Hard. There wasn’t going to be anyone else for me.

Dom led us to a beautiful room at the back of the house that looked out onto a small courtyard.

There were several men standing around holding drinks as if this was a cocktail party.

Dom gestured to the man I knew was Vito’s brother. “Zeke, this is my other son Val.”

Val smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Zeke. Can I get you a drink?”

“I can handle that,” Vito said.

Val laughed at Vito’s insistence. “He likes you a lot.”

“He’s great,” I said not really acknowledging what Val said.

“He can be. He says you’re pretty amazing too. I have to admit I haven’t been a close father or a hockey fan, but I really enjoyed your game the other day.”

“Thank you.”

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