CHAPTER 2: THE DEAL BEGINS

CALIX'S POV

Seven p.m. sharp.

I stood in front of my dorm building, with an old duffel bag slung over my shoulder holding everything I owned, two pairs of jeans, some faded hoodies, and my skates.

Right then, a black SUV pulled up to the curb with tinted windows so dark that I couldn't see who was inside. The back door opened, and a hand gestured for me to get in.

When I got into the car, Noah was sitting there, his long legs crossed, and his eyes fixed on me. “Nice bag, Sinclair, I think my cleaner has the same one.”

I didn't say anything.

Minutes later, the car finally stopped in front of Kensington Estate… which was literally a freaking fortress with all white walls and glass, glowing under the floodlights like a giant diamond dropped in the middle of a forest.

I felt like an alien in a strange new world as I followed Noah through the front doors.

“Noah.” A man called, standing at the top of the staircase, George Kensington, Noah's father. I had seen his face on the news a thousand times.

He looked down at me like I was a piece of equipment Noah had bought on a whim. “This is the one?” He asked,

“His name is Calix Sinclair, Dad,” Noah said, his voice losing some of its arrogance. “He is the Captain of the Hockey Team at Northcott University.”

George’s gaze swept over my lean frame for what felt like minutes. “He is small, and looks weak. Make sure he doesn't break during the first week.” He turned and walked away before I could even open my mouth to defend myself.

Yes, I was small, but I was the best center in the league, and I could play circles around his much bigger son on a good day.

“Don’t mind him,” Noah said. “He thinks anyone with a bank account under seven figures is invisible.”

Just wow… I did not have to know that!

Noah led me up a staircase to another side of the house that felt more private. He stopped at a door and pushed it open, showing a room that was bigger than my entire dorm suite.

“This is yours,” Noah said, then pointed to a door on the far wall. “That leads to my suite. My gym is through there, too, and you’ll be in it at five a.m. every morning.”

My brows furrowed. “Five a.m.? Isn't that too early?”

“Absolutely not.” Noah countered as he walked over to the bed where a pile of clothes was laid out. They were white & ice silver, Kensington University colors. “Lose the rags, Sinclair. From now on, you will wear what I tell you.”

I shook my head continuously. “I’m not wearing your school’s colors, I’m a Northcott student.”

“You’re a Kensington investment,” Noah corrected, his voice dropping to that low annoying rasp.

He walked over and grabbed the front of my hoodie, his knuckles brushing hard against my chest. “Do I need to remind you what happens if you don't play along? One call is all it would take, Calix. The bulldozers are waiting.”

I wanted to headbutt him right in the face, but I thought about the damage it would do to me, so I stepped back calmly. “Fine.”

“Good.” Noah straightened his coat, looking satisfied. “There’s a list of rules on the desk, If you break one, the deal is off.” He walked toward the connecting door, and disappeared.

My phone buzzed in my pocket just then, It was a text from Miller.

“CAP! You won't believe it! The construction crews just left. They’re putting in new boards and a high-end cooling system! They said an anonymous donor saved us. How did you pull it off? You’re a legend!” I stared at the screen, a huge smile framing my face. Maybe I had made the right choice after all.

I walked over to the desk and picked up the printed sheet of paper.

**RULES FOR SINCLAIR**

1. Training begins at five a.m.

2. Meals are taken with me at scheduled times.

3. No guests.

4. You do not leave the estate without my permission. You are to be reachable at all hours, day or night. You belong to our deal, and You belong to me, Calix Sinclair.

Just as I read the last part, I looked up to see Noah leaning on the wall near the connecting door, watching me with a weird smirk on his face.