Page 191 of Pucking Them
He is standing close to my brother, leaning forward and watching the game intently. He is wearing an easy smile, offering Shay an encouraging thumbs-up on the ice.
“Is he okay?” I study Noah. “He looks more relaxed than I’ve seen him in weeks, despite the pressure of the game.”
“He is.” D’Angelo’s expression softens. “We spoke for a long time on the phone. He was crying. For once though, they were happy tears. Silas has been oppressing and controlling not only Noah but his family and the other poorer relations in the town. Noah will possibly feel able to lead a more independent life now that the most powerful family member is imprisoned. Olivia has been manipulating him as well, using his therapy notes against him. I bet that she was doing the same to most of the staff andplayers. Noah said he could finally believe that one day he’ll be free.”
“We’re free,” I whisper. “Almost.”
I glance at Dad.
Cody, my men, and I will be free once we find a way to escape Dad’s control.
D’Angelo follows the direction of my gaze to Dad on the bench, before his gaze narrows. “I am working onthat. I have a plan.”
Exhilaration rushes through me.
D’Angelo still doesn’t look away from Dad. “People like Olivia and Anderson are deeply unhappy in their own way. They have demons that they can’t face, while they force everyone else to face theirs. Let the world say whatever they fucking want. I only care what the people who I love think.”
Unfortunately, it’s literally my job to care about what the world thinks and then try to change their minds.
This is precisely the type of noise — scandal — that the directors warned me against, which I was hired to avoid.
Except, this time it truly wasn’t the players’ fault.
I know that D’Angelo is still blaming himself.
Yet both Anderson and Olivia are abusers who use their position of authority to have access to both what and who they want.
Not anymore.
If anyone believes that they are untouchable, then I intend to make sure that they learn it’s not true.
Including Dad.
No one hurts my men.
I narrow my eyes at Wilder. He is another abuser who hasn’t been held to account yet. Although, if the Bay Rebels can only win this game, then he will be.
At the moment, however, the game is tied.
Without D’Angelo as captain, Wilder is dominating the game.
Does D’Angelo realize now how important he is to the Bay Rebels?
He is its heart.
Atlas has stepped in and is wearing anAon his jersey, chosen by coach as the alternate captain. He is doing his best to hold the team together and lead them like D’Angelo does.
What happened to D’Angelo has shaken the team, however, and they’re not used to playing without him.
It shows.
At least so far, the sympathy from fans, social media, and press has largely landed with D’Angelo.
When my phone vibrates, I tense, before pulling it out of my pocket.
I read the headline and subheadline:Bay Rebels’ Star Captain Struck down! Fans in disbelief, as Jude D’Angelo collapses after alleged assault by doc.
It looks like my fevered, hard work to control the situation has paid off.
