All Chapters of THE CAPTAIN AND THE KILLER: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

81 Chapters

Chapter 1: Cold Gray Eyes

The second Kade Volkov stepped onto my ice I knew he was going to wreck my entire world.The Scotiabank Arena thundered around me as I glided out for warm ups. Twenty eight years old and captain of the Toronto Blades. The C on my jersey felt heavier than usual tonight. Fans screamed my name from every corner like I was some kind of hero. I waved back with the same smile I always gave them but inside my gut twisted. One slip up and my fathers voice would echo again. Do better. Be perfect. Dont let the name Ryder fall.I pushed off hard chasing a loose puck when the new guy hit the ice. Coach Harlan had grabbed me in the tunnel minutes earlier his face dead serious.“Evan keep this Volkov kid under control or that C comes off your chest. Owners orders. The Russian transfer has baggage longer than most careers. Do what you have to.”I nodded but already hated the idea. “Got it Coach. But if he starts shit I wont babysit forever.”Now here he was number 47 skating like he owned the damn b

Chapter 2: Forced Watch

The second Coach Harlan said my name that morning I knew Kade Volkov was about to become my personal nightmare.Practice ran us into the ground. We skated hard lines and battle drills until my legs burned. Guys were still buzzing from last nights win but the new guy moved through it all like he had something to prove. I kept my distance on the ice trying to focus on my own game. When the whistle finally blew I headed straight for the locker room hoping to avoid more trouble.Coach caught me in the hall. “Evan my office now.”I followed him inside and dropped into the chair across from his desk. The room smelled like old coffee and stale sweat. Coach leaned back looking tired already.“Listen Coach I did my job last night. We won. What else do you want from me?” I asked right away.He rubbed his face. “Volkov is your problem now Evan. Full time. Room with him on every road trip. Keep him focused on hockey and out of trouble. No excuses.”I sat up straight my voice rising. “Are you seri

Chapter 3: Hotel Tension

The second Kade slammed that Montreal player into the boards I knew the night would end with us destroying each other.The road game turned nasty fast. Cheap shots flew from every Montreal jersey. Late in the third one of their big forwards lined me up with his elbow high ready to take my head off. Kade exploded in fast smashing the guy so hard the glass shook. The refs called the penalty on him.“What the hell was that Volkov?” I yelled skating to the box. “We were up by one. Now they get a power play because you cannot control yourself.”Kade gripped the boards breathing heavy his eyes locked on mine. “That prick was going to knock you out Captain. You wanted me to watch like a coward? I handled it.”“Handled it?” I shot back. “We play smart not like animals. Coach has me riding your ass to keep you in line and you pull this shit.”He smirked through the cage. “You like riding my ass now Ryder? Keep talking. I might let you.”“Shut up and serve your time,” I growled. “We win this cl

Chapter 4: Cracks in the Armor

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

Chapter 5: No Way Out

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

chapter 6

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

chapter 7

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

chapter 8

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

chapter 9

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

chapter 11

The second Coach Harlan paired us for the Chicago trip and said room together again I felt the trap snap shut around both of us.The flight dragged with the team joking loud and slapping seats but my stomach stayed knotted the whole way. Kade sat two rows back eyes hidden behind sunglasses. I caught him watching me during takeoff. That gray stare burned like it always did. We landed in a mess of wind and rain. Buses to the hotel felt endless. By the time we hit the room on the twenty third floor my nerves were shot.Coach had made it clear in the tunnel before we left Toronto. No arguments. Same room. Keep Volkov in line. The door clicked shut behind us and the city lights sparkled through the big window like nothing was wrong. Chicago stretched out dark and alive below us. I dropped my bag hard on the bed closest to the door.Kade tossed his stuff on the other bed and turned to me right away. "You look ready to swing Captain. What now?"I pulled

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