OverTime (The Dartmouth Cobras Book 9)

by Bianca Sommerland

  “Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve put in a word for him. Gotten the recruiters to go watch him play.” Dominik hated it every time Heath went back to Russia to play with his old team. He’d assumed it was out of loyalty, since he’d spent so much time developing there, but having a friend he was afraid for? That made even more sense.

  Heath shook his head. “There were already recruiters. From a few teams. He didn’t play the nights they were there.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because the team knows he wants to leave. They…made sure he couldn’t.”

  “Shit.” Dominik rubbed a hand over his face, his mind working fast. He’d always assumed Heath’s own sexuality was why Russia was so dangerous for him, why he was so careful during interviews not to discuss gay teammates or be involved in anything related to the LGBTQ+ community—he’d even refused to go to the pride parade with the rest of the team—but this friend of his might be part of it.

  When Heath had come home from his last trip, Dominik had spent days looking for any signs of injuries. Any reason to stop Heath from returning. The haunted look in the young man’s eyes worried him, but he’d been physically fit, with nothing more than regular bruises from rough play.

  This friend of his didn’t sound so lucky.

  “You never really told me why you go back there, Heath. I think you should.” Dominik didn’t give a fuck if people thought he was too close to Heath. Not now. He had to fix this for him. “Let me help.”

  “I don’t think you can.” Heath’s voice cracked. He stiffened, wiping a hand over his face before sitting up. “They’re not too rough with him so long as they know I’ll return when I’m able. I thought I could finally get him out. Or maybe even next season, but now…”

  “There won’t be a next season. Not here.” Dominik put his hand on Heath’s shoulder. “There are other teams. You said he’s a good player—”

  “He’s gay. Not every team will welcome him.”

  “That’s changed.”

  “Has it?” Heath’s expression hardened. “There are two Cobras who are out. The others still don’t wanna say. And there’s no one out on any other team.”

  “Is he out?”

  “He…he didn’t mean to be. We shared a room when I first joined the team. Some of the guys came in and found magazines…” Heath’s cheeks went red. He looked away. “He told them he just likes to look. Begged them not to say anything. I begged them too. They wouldn’t let me share a room with him after that.”

  “Because they believe you’re straight.”

  “I am straight.” Heath fisted his hands on his thighs. “He didn’t ‘turn me’ gay, so they accept that we’re friends. They don’t like it, but so long as I score goals and kiss pretty girls they leave him alone.”

  “Until he had a way out.”

  Heath swallowed hard. Nodded. “I’d never go back if he wasn’t there.”

  “Then we’ll have to find another way. There are organizations that help LGBTQ+ people in danger seek asylum. If we can get him here, he can try out for different teams, but we can’t let being signed be his only way to get away from there.” Dominik rubbed Heath’s shoulder as the young man’s expression relaxed, losing some of the hopelessness in his eyes. “Do you have a safe way to talk to him?”

  “Yes. He has a secret Twitter account.”

  “Good. Let me look into a few options and you can get the information to him. The most important thing will be getting him here. I’ll buy him a plane ticket—”

  “I can do that.”

  “And dip into the money you’re saving in case I ever decide I don’t want to be a father to Kimber and Bran anymore?” Dominik shook his head as Heath lowered his gaze, then pulled him in for a quick hug. “You don’t have to worry, but I want you to feel secure. Save your money, it’s a good habit.” Reaching down, Dominik pulled the cigarette that had burnt out from between Heath’s fingers and held it up. “This isn’t.”

  “I know. I was stressed and Ford told me I shouldn’t, but—”

  “Ford’s been giving you cigarettes?” All right, Dominik needed to chill. He’d finally gotten Heath to talk to him.

  Still, he and Ford were going to have a conversation of their own.

  “Just one. And I told him I’m an adult and can make my own decisions.” Heath squared his shoulders and gave Dominik a level look. “Which I am and I can.”

  “Yes, you are. But it’s against regulations for you to be smoking around fans or at the forum.”

  “I’ll stop.”

  “Smoking?”

  Heath’s brow furrowed. “I’ll try.”

  “I can help you with that too, kid.” Dominik stood, ruffling Heath’s hair so they could end things on a lighter note. “I think this is the longest conversation we’ve ever had. Let’s do this more often.”

  Lips slanting slightly as he rose, Heath started to nod. Then sighed. “You’ve done enough for me, Dominik.”

  “That’s what family does.”

  “It’s not what my family ever did.”

  “I know.” Heath might not tell Dominik much about his past, but Kimber didn’t hesitate to share. And he knew enough to understand why the young man didn’t trust easily. But he’d do everything in his power to change that, no matter how long it took. “But now you’re part of mine.”

  Chapter 21

  Even a half day without her son had her a nervous wreck, but Oriana had to admit, she got more done without looking at him every other minute just to watch him smile as he slept. Chicklet’s father and stepmother had come down to catch a few pre-season games and had been eager to spend some time with Westy. Which gave her an opportunity to get on top of player evaluations with the team doctor, and discuss tailored workout schedules with the trainers. Responsibilities that impacted the game she loved so much.

  But she’d stick to working part-time for the next year at least. When she’d begun looking into adoption with Max and Sloan, they’d contemplated long and hard on how having a baby would impact their careers. How difficult it would be for her men to leave their son for weeks at a time, especially when he was still so young. Her plan had been to continue working, but not on the grueling schedule she once had.

  Family was her priority. Giving Westy the kind of love and security she and Silver had lacked as children.

  And Ford…Ford had it so much worse, but now had a family of his own. A son she couldn’t wait to meet, as soon as it wouldn’t overwhelm the poor boy. Ford had called her this past weekend and told her how well things had gone when Jaxon met Cort and Akira. He sounded encouraged. Ready.

  He’ll be a great father. He just needs a chance to prove it. He needs to take his son home for good.

  Oriana sighed, wishing she knew more about why Jaxon was still staying with their father. She didn’t want to be suspicious, not when everything was starting to look up in their relationship with him, but she wasn’t a fool. When she visited, things seemed almost too good, even though Jaxon and his aunt and uncle were never around. Anne was pleasant, father was attentive and so sweet and loving with Westy…

  Anthony Delgado was practically a different person. Not the one who’d had paperwork drawn up to disown so he could challenge her right to inherit the team. Not the man who’d threatened to bring her husbands to court and have her found mentally unfit. Therapy might have helped her move past the pain he’d caused in his constant quest for power, but it would never repair the trust he’d destroyed.

  Which might have something to do with her being nervous now. Akira had asked to meet with her today. She’d sounded uncertain on the phone, as though unsure she should be talking to Oriana at all.

  If it’s about Ford…

  No, Oriana wouldn’t start assuming it had to be something bad. Ford had grown a lot. His changes were easier to believe because they came with him being free of the corruption and violence of the man who’d raised him. Roy Kingsley had forced Ford to be sneaky and underhanded. Her brother di
dn’t have to be that way anymore.

  The question was, did he know that?

  At a soft knock at the door she stood and walked around her desk. “Come in.”

  Guess I’m about to find out.

  Akira stepped into the office, a warm smile on her lips as she crossed the room. She was wearing her Ice Girls tracksuit and her sleek black hair was in a high ponytail—she’d probably just come from practice with her girls. The scent of ice clung to her as she hugged Oriana and the sweat on her temples dampened Oriana’s cheek.

  “Shoot, sorry about that.” Akira ducked her head when Oriana dried her cheek with her sleeve. “I hope now’s a good time to talk? I have plumbers coming to my rink today to start work in the bathrooms, so I won’t keep you long.”

  “Now’s perfect.” Oriana motioned to one of the two padded chairs in front of her desk, taking the other as Akira sat. “Is everything all right? I spoke to Ford on Sunday and he mentioned you’d met Jaxon. It sounded like you all had a great day together.”

  Folding her hands on her lap, Akira nodded, a tender smile on her lips. “We did. Jaxon’s a sweet kid. Rough around the edges, but once he’s with us, I think he’ll be able to let go and just be a little boy. He’s guarded and I don’t blame him at all.”

  “Do you know why he’s not with you yet? I told Ford I’d help him with the lawyer if that’s the problem.”

  “It’s not that… Well, not just that. He doesn’t want Jaxon dragged into a messy court battle for custody.” Akira’s jaw hardened. She clenched her hands. “And if Ford tries to get him now, there will be one.”

  Oriana took a deep breath. “Because of my father.”

  “I don’t think it’s only him. He started it—I don’t know why, something to do with the team. But Jaxon’s uncle. Kyle. He’s been…pressuring Ford.”

  “To do what?”

  “To sleep with him.”

  Stomach flipping with nausea, Oriana sat forward. “In return for what? Custody of his own son? That bastard doesn’t have a leg to stand on.”

  Akira bit back a grin.

  Confused, Oriana stared at her.

  “Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting that reaction. I thought you’d try to make excuses for your father and figure maybe Kyle wasn’t all that bad.” Akira dropped her gaze and rubbed her thighs. “But I know you love your brother.”

  The idea that anyone would think she’d take Anthony Delgado’s side over Ford’s pissed her off, but looking over the last few weeks, she understood why Akira would doubt her. While Ford had been fighting for his son, apparently against his own father and this…fucker, Kyle, she’d been stopping by regularly for tea and family time.

  Well, the ‘tea’ is about to be scalding. I can forgive some of what my father did to me. But not what he’s doing to Ford.

  “I need to know everything, Akira.” Oriana stood, her mind racing too fast for her to sit still. As though moving would help her come up with a plan. Life had been rushing by while she’d been standing still. But no more. “I understand Ford not wanting a messy custody battle, but what else? He wouldn’t leave Jaxon there if he thought his son wasn’t safe.”

  “Kyle is Jaxon’s legal guardian. He could take him back to Detroit.”

  “Not if this went to court.”

  Akira tugged her bottom lip between her teeth. “Which means lawyers. Who Ford doesn’t really trust. He lost Cort once because of the legal system. Sure, we had great lawyers who kept Cort from going back to jail, but I think part of him worries it’s too much of a risk. We got lucky once and might not this time.”

  “This has nothing to do with luck. Ford has a strong case.”

  “And Cort has a criminal record. Which could be used against us.”

  She had a point, one Anthony or Kyle would have thrown in Ford’s face the second he resisted taking part in whatever sick game they were playing. He loved Cort. He loved his son. He’d do anything to avoid having to choose between them.

  “Blackmail doesn’t look good either, but it would be hard to prove at this point. We need to know more about Kyle. A good man doesn’t show up out of the blue with his nephew and use the child as a pawn. I’m sure we could dig up some dirt on him.” Oriana went to her desk, held up a finger, and grabbed her phone. Called a number she rarely used, but kept handy. “Asher, I’d like to schedule an appointment for later today.”

  “Hello, Oriana.” Asher’s tone was smooth and pleasant as always, with a hint of surprised laughter to lighten it. “It’s been a long time. Are you calling because Silver needs help with her new contract? I thought me and her were still friends. She couldn’t call me herself?”

  Holy Mother of God, what’s Silver up to now? Oriana tipped her head back, then sighed. “No, but we can discuss that as well. Can you fit me in?”

  “This is a paid consultation, I assume?”

  She rolled her eyes, then shot Akira a quick smile at the younger woman’s worried look. “Yes. Of course.”

  “Perfect. Let’s meet after lunch. You know, considering the…issues your siblings deal with, you really should have me on retainer.”

  “One o’clock. Goodbye, Asher.” Turning off her phone, she went back to sit across from Akira. “Asher is sneaky and plays dirty, but he’s damn good at his job. He’s used to getting celebrities out of trouble by finding out anything he can use against the opposition. If Kyle is hiding something, he’ll find it.”

  “Shouldn’t we get a private investigator for that?”

  “Asher works with several. Don’t worry, sweetie. I wouldn’t trust him with something this important if I didn’t believe he could do it. And I won’t be relying on him alone. I still have my father to deal with.” Her lips thinned as she pictured Anthony holding Westy, asking about playdates and gushing about how big his grandson was getting. All while he was manipulating his own son. “If he’s desperate enough to play the doting father, while forcing Ford to do…whatever he’s having him do, he’s not as well set up as he’d like us to believe. He wants the team, that much I’m sure of. That he’ll do anything to get it is where he’ll have crossed some lines.”

  “So we find out which ones and take away both his and Kyle’s power over Ford.” Akira let out a relieved exhale through her parted lips. “This sounds doable. What do you need from me?”

  “Anything you’ve observed, anything Ford or Jaxon might have said that we can work with.”

  Akira’s brow furrowed. She started shaking her head. Then went still. “Jaxon’s aunt. Jaxon seems to like her, and he mentioned her feeling trapped. She didn’t want to leave Jaxon alone with Kyle.”

  That poor kid. Oriana wanted to go to her nephew right now and give him a hug. Get him out of that damn house and never look back. But she had to make sure this was done right.

  Maybe his aunt was the key.

  “Find out what her name is. Where we might be able to find her when she’s away from the house.”

  This time, Akira didn’t seem so sure. “If I start trying to get information out of Jaxon, it might make him uncomfortable.” She tapped her finger against her lips thoughtfully. “But what if you and I went to visit after school one day? You keep your father and Kyle distracted and I’ll ask her to take a walk with me and Jaxon. Give her my number and get her to call me.”

  “That could work.” Oriana wasn’t looking forward to another visit with Anthony, not with all she knew, but surprisingly, she wasn’t devastated to know his doting behavior had all been fake. Part of her had always known. She’d made an effort to let Anthony be part of his grandson’s life.

  One he didn’t deserve.

  Squaring her shoulders, she reached out to squeeze Akira’s hand. “Let’s end this.”

  Chapter 22

  Akira folded her arms over her chest, biting into her cheek as she watched Ford spread out every single cleaner they owned on a folding table in the garage, beside two coveralls Cort used for work. He stared at one of the larger stains, then at his phone, as th
ough whatever was on the screen was a recipe that hadn’t turned out quite right.

  Since the chat between her, Cort, and Ford about distributing the household chores more evenly so they could manage the house and raise a child together, Ford had been working hard to do more than his share. Likely to make up for slacking in the past, so she didn’t comment when he went overboard.

  But she’d been joking about him washing Cort’s coveralls. Sure, Cort tended to shove them in a bin in the garage and leave them way too long, but he did take care of them himself. She only added the task to her list when the stains he didn’t bother getting out of the dark blue material became noticeable.

  She didn’t mind Ford helping out, it would be awesome if the stains didn’t have time to set, but first she had to show him it wasn’t that complicated.

  His brow furrowed. Shaking his head, he picked up a can of Coke. Opened it and moved to pour it over the stain.

  “What in the world are you doing?” She hurried forward to stop him and he startled, spilling the entire can. She burst out laughing when he groaned. “All these cleaners and you’re using soda?”

  “Yes…?” He looked from her to the puddle slowly soaking into the fabric. “This website says it can break up grease stains, so I figured it should work for motor oil.”

  “Really?” She stepped up to his side, wrapping one arm around his waist. “We have special cleaners for that, but now I’m curious to see if it actually works.”

  He grinned at her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “So am I. Come on, I want to get started on dinner.”

  “Dinner…” She looked back at the mess on the table. “Aren’t you finishing this?”

  “Well yeah, but it’s got to soak for twenty-four hours.”

  Shaking her head, she grabbed one of the coveralls Ford had left in the basket. Looked like she was going to have to show him how this was done after all. “If it took an entire day of soaking to get all the stains out, I wouldn’t be able to get them all nice before Cort needs to use them. Grab two pairs of rubber gloves from the cupboard above the washer.”