Blades of Glory (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 4)

“Mom, it’s crap that I don’t get to play!”

Owen strikes his hips as Evan leans on the rail. “It is.”

I give them both a flat look. But before I can tell them the truth that will sting and piss them off, my baby boy says, “For one, y’all aren’t even Assassins.” They glare over him. “And for two, you play for the enemy—the same enemy we demolished. So, sorry, you’re lucky you’re even invited to watch.”

“Shut it, Quinn!”

“Why are you even here? You don’t like hockey!”

Quinn grins as he crosses his arms. “I’m here for the girls.” Jesus, these boys are girl-crazy. “Word is, Penelope Odder is here.”

“And she isn’t looking anywhere near you,” Owen teases. “Hell, wasn’t she obsessed with Evan?”

I want no part in this conversation. I go to my youngest, who, somehow, has sprouted taller than me, so it’s hard to ruffle his hair, but I manage as I roll my eyes. As I walk away, I grin back at my twins. They may be twins, but they are as different as night and day. Owen could survive, no matter what, but Evan… He’s my sensitive, sweet one. He tries so hard to be like his brother, but Owen is a different breed of man, just like his daddy. And because of that, I worry.

I don’t know if going to Carolina is a good idea for Evan. I know he is going because he and Owen don’t do anything unless they are together. Honestly, I don’t even know if this is the career he should have pursued. While Posey got my shitty thyroid, Evan got my anxiety and bouts of depression. It hurts my heart to think about, but Shea is convinced he’ll be fine. I pray so hard he’s right. He sometimes is—but mostly, I’m the correct one.

As I start down the stairs toward the ice where Shelli is waiting for me, I look around the arena that holds not only my blood family today, but my Assassins family. Everyone is here. Shea made a team of alumni to play against Aiden’s team of current players as one of Shelli and Aiden’s prewedding festivities. It’s basically the Cup-winning team, except for a few who have gone home for the summer.

My money is on the alumni. They’ve all known about this since earlier in the year, so they’ve been dusting off their skills and getting ready for war. I’m a little overly excited to watch Aiden play against his father, Lucas, and for Lucas to lay his son out. Word on the ice is that Boon thinks he can take out Shea. I’m here for it. I am ready.

This is going to be a blast.

When I find Posey with Mary Ann Welch, I squeal with happiness. When Shea said he was able to get Alex to come in for the game, I didn’t believe him. It’s been over a year since I saw them in Canada at the graduation ceremony of their youngest daughter, Lily. They now have an empty nest, which is probably why they’re here. They’re bored out of their minds. Can’t just go from wrangling five girls through sports, school, and life to nothing since both of them are now retired. Thankfully, Shea and I have the Assassins. I hug Mary Ann tightly as she squeezes me back. “It’s so good to see you!”

“You too,” I gush as we part, and I hold her by her elbows as I laugh. “I was surprised we got you guys here.”

She scoffs. “Alex can play, and y’all are giving us your house in Clarksville to stay in? Add in the fact that we have nothing to do, and we’re here.”

I grin. “Glad we can fill y’all’s time. How are the girls? I cannot believe you are a grandma, times four!”

Her face fills with such happiness. “They are wonderful. Jessie and Leighann are stay-at-home moms, Willa is working at the Canadian embassy in California, dating a Navy special agent, which is really cool. Angel and Lily are in college, both with no clue what to do with their lives. Unlike your Quinn, who has been planning his life since he was a baby, trying to do surgeries on the girls.”

“Right?” I laugh. “Don’t worry, they’ll figure it out.” We chuckle together as I lean over, wrapping my arm around Posey. She rests her face on mine as I press my hand to her belly. “I’ll need some grandma tips.”

Mary Ann’s face lights up. “I can’t believe it. I still see her as a baby! Now she’s married and having a baby. All so crazy.”

“I know. Shelli is next, but if I don’t figure out how to zip-tie Owen’s zipper shut, he might make me a grandma again.”

It’s a joke but a very real, very scary joke.

Posey snorts. “I think we’ll need to set him up for Subscribe & Save on Amazon for condoms.”