Saint strides over to me, then holds his hand out. Giving him a small grin, I accept his hand and let him pull me to my feet.
Matthew takes this all in, understanding dawning on his face. “You fucking set me up?” he screeches.
“Well, you did try to kill me, Matthew,” I reply with a shrug of indifference. “I think that’s only fair, don’t you?”
He starts to curse at me, but the cops drag him through an exterior gate cordoning off the outdoor part of the restaurant and right onto the sidewalk. A police cruiser slides to a halt. The officer opens the back and pushes Matthew’s head down, forcing him into the seat while he’s still hurling curses at me.
Kynan and Cruce join Saint and me as we watch the police car pull away.
“Couldn’t keep calm, could you?” Kynan asks sarcastically. “Just had to bait him.”
I smile slyly with not an ounce of apology. “Your way wasn’t working. My way got the job done.”
Tipping his head back, Kynan bursts out laughing.
Saint grabs my phone from the table, then hands it to me. “I think there’s a hockey player on pins and needles right now who is waiting to hear how everything went.”
Gratefully, I tap Kane’s name at its place on the top of my favorite’s list. Right now, he should be in the locker room getting ready.
It barely gets through a full ring before he’s answering, “Mollie? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I assure him. “Everything went down perfectly. Matthew is in custody.”
“And you’re not hurt?” he urgently presses.
“Not a hair out of place, but my feelings are a little hurt that he called me a bitch,” I quip.
Kane chuckles, and I can hear the pure relief and joy within it. “You are most certainly not a bitch, Noodle.”
“Phew,” I reply. “I was worried there for a sec.”
“Are you coming to the arena?” he asks.
“After I talk to the police. I expect you to play your heart out, Kane Bellan. Maybe you’ll even score a goal for me.”
“Done deal, babe,” he replies, only to follow it up with a fervent, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I reply, heart lighter than it has been in a long time.CHAPTER 24KaneThis is the last free Saturday we’ll have for a long time. Friday, we had a home game. Sunday, we’re leaving for Los Angeles to play back-to-back games with the L.A. Demons and the L.A. Dragons.
Tacker and Nora had decided to use the free day to throw a barbeque out at their ranch. It’s an even bigger affair than the party at Coach Perron’s a few weeks ago, which was adults only. The ranch is crawling with all the kids belonging to the Vengeance, making this a full family affair.
I’m not sure if it’s the festive atmosphere, the aroma of grilled beef, the beautiful woman at my side, or the fact we took down Matthew Brighton two days ago that has me feeling so fucking good, but I suspect it’s a combo of it all.
Mollie and I stroll around the barnyard, hand in hand, winding around the picnic tables laden with side dishes, the players, and their families. I’d introduced her to many of these people while at Coach Perron’s party, but I understand it’s a lot to remember so I make sure she’s re-acquainted. Those who know more of the details about what Mollie has been through with her stalker offer congratulations in the form of hugs, which she readily accepts.
The weight and stress of the situation have been lifted from her shoulders. Her smiles come easier—I hadn’t realized I had to work for them sometimes when Matthew had been hanging over our heads. Even her steps seem lighter.
While meandering toward the line at the food tables, we venture upon our hosts, Nora and Tacker, seated at a table. Tacker is hunched over a plate loaded with ribs, baked beans, corn on the cob, cornbread, and coleslaw, but Nora only has a bottle of water in front of her.
“Not eating?” I ask Nora, nodding at the empty spot where her plate should be.
She grimaces. “I have a bit of morning sickness. Dry toast is more my speed right now.”
“I can go make you some,” Tacker offers, nodding at the ranch house.
“No,” she says with a smile, bumping her shoulder against his. “Maybe in a bit, but water is good right now.” She tips her head back to see Mollie and me. “Go get some food, then come sit with us. You’ll have to fill us in on the exciting sting you pulled off.”
Mollie laughs. “It wasn’t that exciting.”
“It totally was,” I exclaim, bringing my arm around her shoulders to give her a squeeze of pride. Now that she’s safe and secure, I can act like it was no big deal, but fuck if I wasn’t freaked out of my mind up until the moment I knew he was in custody, and she was safe. “We’ll tell you all about it when we get back.”