Page 72 of Power Play
"Why am I finding out from Mrs. Jennings at the hair salon that my own daughter got married? To a famous hockey player?!" an older version of Lacey growls.
I wasn't above laying an old woman out flat on her back.
"Is there a problem here?" I shout, letting my low voice echo in the bare hallway.
The man, woman, and Tracey the Snake, as I've taken to calling her in my head, snap their gazes my way. All three people react completely differently. Lacey's mom, I'm assuming, narrows her eyes at me, ready for a fight. Tracey looks down, knowing she's on thin fucking ice with me, and the man that I'm assuming is Lacey's dad looks startled. He's not used to being challenged. Good mother fucker.
I don't know everything about Lacey's family, but I know enough to know her parents failed her. Her mother and father should have protected her, cared for her, loved her unconditionally. But it seems they've gotten accustomed to shitting on her with no consequences.
Actions...meet consequences. In the name of Scott Fucking Ward.
I glance at Lacey and struggle to contain the growl that threatens to rip out of my chest. She's sullen, folded in on herself again, back to taking up as little space as possible. Where is the brazen woman who took three men on her wedding night? Who proposed to Jonesy? Who lit my world on fire?
I want to throw her entire family out. To fuck them all up. But I don't know where her mind is at. If she didn't want them to know about me, I couldn't blame them. It would invite more criticism. I'm older, a divorcee, sorta kinda her boss.
But more than that, I know she walks a tight line. If she admits outright that we're together, her sister will only double down on her efforts to seduce me.
Before, she'd only done it off of a hunch.
So right now, I won't be her boyfriend. But I will fucking defend her.
Her mother waves her hand nonchalantly. "Nothing that concerns you," she says, dismissing me.
Fuck that, lady.
"If it involves my PT and my social media manager, then it sure as fuck involves me."
I stand next to Lacey, slightly in front of her, thick arms crossed over my chest. I know I'm intimidating, and I'm using it to my advantage.
Her father glares at me like he knows our secret, but it's her blasted mother that makes me want to flip tables.
"I'm just asking my daughter why she had to have a shotgun wedding in Vegas, without her family, to a man we've never met."
Her mom huffs and sets her fists to her hips.
I take a deep breath. Lacey may not stand up for herself but I fucking will.
"Lacey's the smartest, most thoughtful and compassionate woman I've ever met. If she married someone in Vegas it was because it was the right choice. I don't need to question it any further than that. Do you?"
Her mother's mouth puckers, not satisfied with the answer. So, I double down.
"Can you think ofanyreason she may not have invited you? Or are you completely stupid?"
I'm taking a risk with this. I know families. If a brother hated a sister he could say any number of awful things about her, but if anyone else did, he would beat them up. I'd said something awful about her mother, but maybe only she was allowed to. I really tried not to be anasshole, and only ask a question, but Lacey's arm came to my bicep. She was attempting to placate me into silence.
I bristle.
It's not in my nature to lessen my temper. My temper earns respect.
But I would, for her. To an extent.
The three Bennetts that I didn't like look between Lacey and me. I glare at them. I fucking dare them.
Finally, Tracey gets the message. "Let's just go back to the arena. I can show you where all the magic happens and introduce you to the team." She's all high pitched and fake-excited. I don't give a fuck.
I want to make sure my woman is okay, and then read Garrett and Ben the riot act for letting Lacey face her family alone.
After her family leaves, she lets out a bone-weary sigh and seems to shrink another two inches.
