ログインThe second Miller shoved Kade into the lockers hard enough to rattle the whole row I knew the team was about to explode.The locker room still smelled like sweat and victory from the Rangers game but the mood had turned ugly fast. Gear lay scattered everywhere. Most guys were half changed and frozen watching the two of them go at it."You are sabotaging us you Russian bastard," Miller snarled with his hand fisted in Kade's shirt. "I watched every shift tonight. You skipped Ryder's setups on purpose. Left him hanging like a rookie. What is your game Volkov?"Kade shoved back just as hard. His gray eyes burned. "Get off me old timer. I scored the winner. You want to complain about winning now?"Miller swung first. His fist cracked against Kade's cheekbone. Blood sprayed. Kade answered quick with a punch that split Miller's eyebrow open. The veteran stumbled but came right back swinging.I pushed through the circle of guys fast. "Stop it both of you! Break it up right now!"Miller ignore
The second Kade blew past my perfect setup and left me standing flat footed in front of the net I knew he was trying to break me on the ice.Madison Square Garden shook with noise. The Rangers crowd wanted our blood and they were getting a show. My legs burned from chasing the play all night. I wiped sweat from my eyes and yelled across the ice."Kade! I was wide open! What the hell man?"He did not even glance my way. Instead he barreled straight into the Rangers defense throwing a huge hit that sent their guy crashing into the boards. The hit was clean but it lit a fire under everyone. Sticks slapped. Bodies crashed. I skated up fast and got in his face."You saw me calling for it," I said breathing hard. "That was a easy tap in if you pass. Why are you playing solo out here?"Kade shoved me back lightly with his stick. His gray eyes looked sharp under the helmet lights. "Solo gets results Captain. Your little setups were not working. We were down two goals because of that soft shit
The penthouse door swung open and I knew Marcus Vance had me by the balls before he even spoke. I stepped inside the sleek top floor suite overlooking Manhattan. Floor to ceiling windows showed the city lights blinking like they knew every dirty secret. Vance sat behind a massive desk in a crisp suit, looking every bit the shark who owned half the league. Two bodyguards hovered near the bar, not even pretending to blend in. "Captain Ryder. Right on time," Vance said, voice smooth as ice. He waved at the leather chair across from him. "Sit. Drink?" "No thanks," I replied, dropping into the seat. My legs still felt shaky from the night with Kade, but I kept my face straight. "What is this about? We got a game tomorrow." Vance leaned back, smiling like we were old pals. "Straight to business. I like that about you, Evan. Most captains kiss ass first. But you? You carry that whole team on your back. Must be exhausting." I shrugged. "Part of the job. You called me here for a reason. S
The confession hit me like a blindside hit into the boards. I stood frozen in that New York hotel room, the words still ringing in my ears. Nikolai. My father. Murder. Kade's gray eyes burned into mine, raw and broken, waiting for me to explode or walk out. I did neither. My chest felt like it was caving in, but my body moved on its own. "You really think my dad had your brother killed?" I asked, voice cracking. "Just like that? For some dirty betting money?" Kade stepped closer, his shoulders tense under the thin t-shirt. "I do not think it, Evan. I know it. Documents do not lie. Your father signed off on the fix that got Nikolai in too deep. When he tried to back out, they made sure he did not talk." I grabbed his shirt, pulling him right up against me. "Then why the hell are you here with me? If this is all some revenge game, why fuck me and act like you care?" "Because it stopped being a game weeks ago," he shot back, his breath hot on my face. His hands gripped my arms, fing
The second I heard that knock on my door during the team break I knew I was done fighting this thing with Kade.The apartment felt way too quiet after that tough stretch of games. No practice. No bus rides. Just me and my thoughts spinning about him. I cracked open a beer halfway through it when the sound came sharp and sudden. I set the bottle down and opened the door.Kade stood there in the hallway hoodie pulled up eyes restless like he had not slept. He looked at me for a long second."I should not be here," he said voice low and rough.I stepped aside anyway. "Then why did you come?"He walked in and I closed the door behind him. The click sounded too loud in the quiet space. Kade pushed his hood back running a hand through his dark hair. "Because I cannot stop thinking about the weight room. About Montreal. About you. This is stupid Ryder. Tell me to leave."I crossed my arms leaning against the wall. "You want me to tell you to leave? After you show up at my place? Make up your
The second I stepped back onto Toronto ice after Montreal I knew the line between hate and need had already blurred too far.Practices felt completely different now. Every drill Coach paired us together on purpose. Kade and I circled each other like fighters waiting for the bell. His gray eyes followed me across the rink and the air got thick enough to choke on. I tried to keep my distance. Skated harder. Focused on the puck. But Coach kept yelling the same thing.“Ryder work with Volkov on that breakout. Again.”After one drill I wiped sweat from my face and skated over to him. “You hear that? We are stuck together whether we like it or not.”Kade wiped his mouth with his jersey. “You complaining again Captain? Thought you liked telling me what to do.”“I like winning,” I shot back. “Not chasing around a guy who might snap any second. Keep your head straight today. No more cheap stuff.”He glided closer stick tapping mine. “Cheap? I play real hockey. You want soft passes and pretty g







