Page 66 of On Ice

His brows lift. “What the fuck does that mean?”

I grimace. “It means that I have to keep some stuff from you.” I glance over my shoulder, checking to see if we’re alone. “Whether I want to or not.”

“Dude, you’re acting like you’re in the CIA.”

I chuff. “No I’m not. I’m just dealing with some shit.”

“Yeah? What kind of shit? At least tell mesomething,” he rasps. “How is it you went from hating Barone, to dating him in the space of a day?”

I avoid his gaze. “That’s not a simple explanation.”

“Try. For fuck’s sake. You can’t just keep me in the dark.” He scowls. “The day Barone introduced himself to the team, you looked at him like he was the devil. You were scowling at the guy so hard, I thought your face would freeze that way. Now I’msupposed to believe you two are a couple? I’m not buying it. I know you too well, and you’re not acting normal.”

Most of the guys are gone from the locker room, but I still glance around uneasily. I strip off more of my gear and then sit back down with a groan. “If I’m honest with you, you have to swear to keep what I tell you to yourself.”

“Of course.” He leans toward me. “You know you can trust me to keep my mouth shut.”

I meet his gaze and nod because I do know that. Noah is like a vault with my secrets and I’m the same with his. If there’s anyone in this world I trust, it’s Noah. “You’re going to think I’m nuts,” I mutter.

“Try me.”

“I hang my head, trying to sort out where to begin. I look up and meet his curious gaze. “Luca isn’t just a businessman.”

“All right. I kind of figured that from the way you’re acting.” He sounds breathless. “So, what is he then?”

I grimace. “He’s the head of the Barone Syndicate.”

“The Barone Syndicate,” he repeats softly and then his eyes flicker. “Seriously?” He gapes at me. “You mean he’smafia?”

“Shhh.” I wince, making a shushing gesture with my hands, and once more glancing around nervously.

“You’re actually telling me Barone is in the syndicate?” he hisses.

“Yes.” I hold his startled gaze. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. He bought our team, hoping to use us for his gambling racket. He wanted me to throw whatever games he told me to throw.”

Blinking at me, Noah says nothing.

“I couldn’t do it and that’s a whole other story.” I sigh tiredly. “But the bottom line is, Barone is dangerous. Really dangerous. That’s why the less you know, the better.” I pull off one of my skates and toss it onto the overhead shelf in my stall. “I’m already mixed up with him, but you and the others need to steer clear of him. Don’t let on that you know who he is. Ignorance is the only way you guys stay safe.”

Noah clenches his jaw. “You say you’re mixed up with him. What exactly does that mean?”

I wince and pull off my other skate. I finger the leather, scowling. “The night we played Bay City Blazers, he wanted to meet me.”

“I remember.”

I blow out a shaky breath. “I had no clue who he was. I thought he was just our new owner. He was different that night. Charming. Funny.” I wince, remembering how easily I’d fallen under Luca’s spell. “I was stupid and I slept with him.”

Noah doesn’t look surprised. “I figured something like that happened. Deck and I saw you taking off with him in a limo.”

“Really?” I wince. “I didn’t know anyone saw me leave with him.”

He shrugs. “You’re an adult. We didn’t think it was our place to micromanage your dick. But I did wonder why you lied about where you were. You don’t usually keep your hookups a secret from me.”

“Sorry,” I say because he looks wounded. “I had to lie. Once I knew who he was, I didn’t want to bring you into any of this mess.”

“You should have though. You should have told me sooner. Maybe I could have helped you.” He sounds and looks so earnest, it makes my gut churn. I believe he’d do anything he could to help, but he’s no match for a man like Luca.

“No one can help me. I just need to do what Luca wants for now, until he tires of me.”

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