Page 77 of On Ice

“Like, if Team A wins four games and Team B only wins two, Team A advances because they hit four wins first.”

“Oh, I get it.” Tony nods.

Sofia raises her brows. “I don’t. It’s a very complicated system.”

“I agree.” Isabella sighs. “How in the world do you keep it all straight?”

I give a patient smile. “It makes sense if you’ve been playing hockey a long time.”

Sofia remarks. “And hockey is what you’ve always wanted to do? Since you were a kid in Minnesota?”

I laugh sheepishly. “Yeah. Never really considered anything else. Hockey was... is... everything.”

“Hmm.” Sofia’s gaze is difficult to read.

“What did you think of Luca buying your team?” Tony asks. “I’ll bet that shocked the heck out of you guys.”

I grimace. “We knew the team was for sale, so it wasn’t acompletesurprise.”

“Did you know who Luca was when you met him?” Tony lifts one brow.

“No.” When I think of Luca that first night, it’s feels like a million years ago, and he feels like a different man. “I was… surprised when he told me who he was and what he wanted to do with our team.”

“I’ll bet.” Tony smirks. “You really blew up his big plans when you refused to throw that game against Chicago. He was livid.”

I noticed.

“Yeah.” I meet his dark gaze. “Despite that, I don’t regret not turning on my team.”

Sofia purses her lips, studying me. “I’m sure it was a difficult decision. Either choice you made would cost you something.”

I nod, surprised she sounds almost sympathetic to what I went through. “I made the choice that I hoped would cost me the least.”

Tony frowns. “But, from what I heard Luca was ready to have you murdered because of that choice. That was fine with you?”

My stomach clenches remembering that awful night. “Obviously I didn’t want to die. I just knew I couldn’t betray my team for money.”

Tony’s pitying expression makes it clear he thinks I acted foolishly, but Sofia nods as if she understands.

Isabella says brightly, “I love that you refused to do Luca’s bidding. What kind of person turns on their own team?”

Tony chuffs. “That stuff happens all the time. It’s nothing new for players to throw games to line their own pockets. Betrayal is a part of life.”

I meet Tony’s gaze. “Even if that’s true, my team is like my family. Would you betray your family?”

A flush creeps up Tony’s fleshy cheeks. “No. Never.”

“Well,” I say softly, “Neither would I.”

Isabella nudges me with her elbow. “This is exactly why I don’t like to date mafia types. They have no sense of honor.”

“What?” Tony bugs his eyes. “The La Cosa Nostra is all about honor.”

“Oh, really?” She sniffs. “If that were true, you’d respect Evan’s decision not to turn on his team.”

“That’s fine,” I say quickly. I don’t want them bickering because of me. “I did what I felt was right. Not everyone will see it my way.”

Tony laughs loudly. “Luca sure didn’t.”

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