Page 79 of Blood on Ice

When I hit the concrete floor at the bottom, I tried to raise my head. Footsteps banged down the stairs. Marshall stood over me, holding a length of rope. At least if he was going to tie me up, that meant Benito didn’t intend to kill me immediately. I tried to push myself up, but my hand slipped out from under me. The concrete was cool under my cheekbone, and all I wanted to do was sleep.

Would I ever see Zeke again?

28

ZEKE

How the hell was I supposed to focus on the game? I’d thought last night’s game was going to be difficult, but tonight Vito would be God knows where planning to take down Benito. I didn’t know if I’d ever see him again.

I was hoping that, like before, I’d be swept away by the excitement of the crowd and the thrill of skating out to their cheers. Hearing the fans go wild would never get old. It was a dream I’d had for so long and every time it felt like the first time.

I’d finished my off-ice warm-up and was about to go put on my gear. Then I heard my phone ringing from inside my locker. Before meeting Vito, I would’ve ignored it. But now, especially knowing what was happening tonight, I couldn’t.

I pulled it out and saw a number I didn’t recognize, but instinct told me I needed to answer it. “Hello.”

“Zeke? It’s Liam.”

“What’s wrong?” I knew immediately Liam wouldn’t be calling me if there wasn’t a serious crisis.

“It’s Vito. He didn’t show up when he was supposed to, and Lucien just got a message that Benito has him.”

“Oh my God. What?”

“Benito’s saying we have to meet his demands if we want to see Vito again.”

“So meet them.”

“It’s not that simple. There’s very little chance Benito will actually let him go.”

“Then I’ll trade myself for him.”

“Absolutely not. Vito would never want that.”

“I need to help find him.”

“Your game is about to start. I just wanted you to know that?—”

“No. Where are you? I’m going to meet you. I don’t care about the fucking game.”

“Zeke, you could lose your place on the team.”

“Vito is more important.” That was as clear to me right now as anything had ever been, as clear as my dream to be in the NHL. I loved playing hockey, but I would give it all up for him. I didn’t know how it had happened, but in that moment, I believed what he’d been telling me. We were meant to be together.

“Zeke, he doesn’t want you in danger.”

“I’ll go looking for him on my own if you don’t tell me where you are. Wouldn’t you do the same for Val?”

Liam started to answer, but his words were cut off by a voice I didn’t recognize. “This is Joe, I’m Devil’s husband. Meet us by Entrance D.”

“You got it.”

I slammed my locker shut, grabbed my bag, then found Johnson.

“There’s a family emergency; it’s serious. I’ve got to go.”

“What do you mean go?”

“I mean I’m leaving. I won’t be here for the game.”

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