Page 74 of Dirty Play

“That’s why Avery lived with me before she moved in with Damien.” My voice is rougher now. “She was just out of high school when it happened. I wasn’t gonna let her go back to an empty house after that. So, I moved her in with me. Kept her close.” I exhale, shaking my head. “Became way too overprotective, too controlling, and didn’t know how to stop until Damien and Ares opened my eyes. I was terrified that something would happen to her and I’d be powerless to help. Just like I was powerless to help my parents. Fuck, I was oblivious; I didn’t even know they’d passed until after. The press circled me like never before; cameras flashed in my face, and reporters shouted at me. That’s how I found out they died. They had found out first. And they got exactly what they wanted. They got my reaction on camera.”

Livia blinks, her lips parting slightly. Her eyes are full of unshed tears.

“That’s why you hate the press,” she says softly.

“That’s why I hate the press,” I confirm, nodding. “That’s why I hate PR. I’ve always said it’s the worst part of my job. These people don’t care about the truth. They just want a story.”

Livia doesn’t say anything. But I see the shift in her expression. Her gaze softens, and her posture relaxes just a little.

“I try not to talk about them,” I tell her. “Not publicly. Not at all.” I glance at her, my voice quieter.

“Why are you telling me?” she asks, but it’s not accusatory. It’s curious.

“I guess I wanted you to know.” I shrug.

Her throat bobs, and for the first time since we sat down, she looks genuinely speechless.

And then, finally, she exhales.

“Rowan.”

Just my name. Just that. But it feels like something heavier, something real.

“Now, you get why that first interview was so fucking annoying.” I shake my head, forcing a smile.

“It makes me appreciate what you did today even more.” A small smile tugs at her lips, but her eyes still hold something deeper. Something warm.

“Yeah?” I hold her gaze.

“Yeah.” She nods. “After the first interview, I didn’t understand why you went off like that. That night, I found out about your parents, but I didn’t know the whole story, Rowan. I didn’t know that…” she falters, shaking her head. “I’m so sorry.”

Her small hand rests on top of mine, warm and reassuring.

For a second, neither of us moves. Just sitting there, watching each other, the tension shifting into something different. Something softer.

I hook a finger under her chin, tilting her face up to me.

“I like seeing you like this,” I murmur, running my thumb along her jaw.

“Like wh—”

I kiss her, silencing her. She stiffens for a moment before her soft lips start moving against mine.

Her fingers clutch at my hoodie, pulling me closer as I lean down, deepening the kiss. She tastes like soy sauce and something equally sweet, and I groan against her mouth, angling my head to drink her in. She exhales sharply, parting her lips, and I take it, sweeping my tongue against hers, kissing her deeper, slower. Livia presses closer, her body tilting up toward me, her nails curling into my hoodie more.

Her breath is still uneven as I pull back and look at her. Her eyes flicker open, dazed and wide like she’s still catching up to what just happened.

“You good, baby?” I smirk, brushing my thumb against her cheek.

She blinks and then sucks her bottom lip between her teeth with a smile.

I run a hand up her arm, watching her lips part.

“Your parents were wrong. You’re not going to fail.” I keep my voice steady.

She blinks up at me, lips parting slightly.

“You’re already proving them wrong.” I tilt my head. “You came out here with nothing but a dream, and now you’re running PR for a fucking NHL team and doing a damn good job at it.” My voice softens. “You’re not going back, Livia. This is where you belong, with us. With the risk of stroking your ego, the guys won’t shut up about you. You’re part of the team now. Part of the family.”

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