Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“Except…” Mal spoke from behind us, sounding almost casual. “She accepted the job before she was aware Tyler would be on the team.”
I spun in my seat, mouth parting in surprise. What was he doing? That wasn’t true.
He refused to meet my gaze, raising an eyebrow at Kashvi. “That’s a loophole Ms. Connors could use to counter her termination. She could claim it was wrongful because she disclosed potential personal issues concerning Tyler Griffin after she accepted the job.”
Tyler studied Mal, his jaw clenched tight.
“What personal issues?” Kashvi demanded. “Were they fucking before he joined the team?”
Tyler twisted forward in his seat again. “Yes.”
“No, they were not,” Mal said at the same time. “But she raised other concerns.”
Kashvi’s eyebrows furrowed, and she turned to me. “What is going on here?”
“Rain isn’t losing her job, so make a different plan,” Tyler said heatedly.
I was in shock.
Kashvi looked from Tyler to Mal before returning to me. “Are you fucking them both?”
Tyler shoved up out of his seat. “Take that back—”
“Ms. Kumar,” Mal exclaimed sharply, but he remained sitting.
Kashvi waved them off, still focusing on me. “If we’re moving forward with you remaining with the team, I need to be brought in, and I mean all the way. I need to know everything. The dirty. The gritty. Everything. You hear me?”
No. I didn’t, because I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to expose the years of hatred I’d endured, but I met Tyler’s gaze and turned to look at Mal. Both had offered me their support. I needed to reciprocate, so I nodded. “I’ll tell you everything.”
“Good.” She pulled out her chair, sitting.
“You want me to stay for this?” Tyler asked.
I nodded, wishing I could hold his hand. It wouldn’t have been appropriate in these circumstances, but I’d process later everything he’d said.
“There’s potential fallout coming that doesn’t just include the Grays, but also Montreal and Boston, because Daniel and Dane Connors are my brothers,” I began. “We’re estranged, and only a handful of people are aware of my connection to them. Cyber sleuthing is a real thing nowadays, and if they’re looking into me, it could come out at any time.”
Kashvi sat quietly, blinking at me. I could understand her shock and also her new alarm because while Dane tended to avoid publicity, Daniel did not. His marriages, affairs, and divorces, plus all his fights and issues with the league, were popular clickbait for hockey blogs. He wasn’t known to be a drinker, but he was often filmed going into bars and leaving with a new woman on his arm, whether he was currently married or not.
“Okay.” Kashvi cleared her throat. She leaned forward and pressed a button. A moment later the door opened and one of the women from the social media team popped her head in.
“Yes?”
“Stephanie,” Kashvi ordered, “I need you to do a deep dive on Daniel and Dane Connors. I want to know everything there is to know about them, including family members and their family life. In a separate file, update everything that comes up regarding their rivalry with Tyler Griffin. I believe it started in high school.”
Tyler’s eyes closed, and a hint of regret pulled at his mouth. His sister. This could push all of that into the public eye again. My hand began to shake. I needed to touch him, hold his hand, reassure him. But I couldn’t, so I tucked it under my leg.
“What would happen if I resigned?” I ignored Tyler’s exclamation next to me or the way Mal seemed to go rigid behind me. I only looked at Kashvi. “What could happen then?”
A flicker of something showed in Kashvi’s gaze. “If you were lucky, nothing. Maybe someone would still identify you, but it would likely stop there if you didn’t remain working with the team. That’s the best-case scenario. The more realistic possibility is that someone will still dig for your name. Tyler’s hot news, especially considering his recent bout in the public eye. People like him. Fans want more of him, and if there’s anything to find, they’ll find it. Based on my time and experience in this business, you need to plan for everything to come out. I mean everything, and yes, you will still have to take me through it all so I can figure out the team’s best course of action moving forward.”
My heart sank.
“Jesus Christ, Rain. You’re not going anywhere. I won’t let you.” Tyler glared at me.
“I also won’t allow it, Rain.” Mal’s statement was quieter, but just as effective. “On this matter, Tyler and I are on the same page. Don’t let your brothers take this away from you too.” He leaned forward, his eyes flicking to Kashvi before returning to me. “You’re not the bad guy in this scenario. Kashvi doesn’t have all the information, but once she does, I have no doubt she’ll agree. Let’s direct blame elsewhere. None of it belongs with you or any member of the Grays organization.”