The Penalty Box (Vancouver Wolves Hockey #3)(19)

She nodded.

I had to ask. “Do you think Yazimoto set the fire?”

Her lip wobbled dangerously and her voice squeaked. “I don’t know.”

Shit. Tears were my kryptonite. “Let’s deal with that in the morning.”

She nodded, biting her lip, working not to cry.

“You can sleep in the guest room.”

Big brown eyes glistening with tears met mine. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Get some sleep.” I wanted to comfort her but my voice sounded gruff.

With another tremulous glance my way, she vanished into the guest bedroom.

I retreated to my bedroom, but despite my long day, I couldn’t sleep. Krista’s words about how tough it would be for Charlie to transition into my life came back to me. Tonight, Charlie had lost everything. I had to hand it to her. Most women would be in hysterics. She had handled it with determined stoicism. With no other options, she had called me and asked for help. Knowing how feisty and independent she was, I couldn’t imagine how much that phone call had cost her to make.

I thought it’d bug me to have her move in. In fact, I had been dreading having to share my space, but in my need to shelter her from those more powerful than her, it gave me a level of satisfaction that she was tucked safely in my guest room, away from anyone who might try to harm her.

I needed to get a hold of Andrusha. Tonight, things had escalated, and it was time to call in a friend who could offer a real solution.





*



Not being able to practice, work with my trainer or see my team was the worst kind of punishment. It drove the point home that I was not interested in life without hockey. In desperate need of exercise, despite the early hour and lack of sleep, I went for a lengthy run. I enjoyed how the cool air felt sharp in my lungs, the mist coated my face and my legs burned to the point of pain. As I ran under a long bridge, my senses kicked in. Someone was under this bridge with me. I stopped and spun around, ready to defend myself.

Andrusha stepped out from the shadows, speaking to me in Russian. “You’ve never lost your edge.”

I responded, loving how my first language felt on my tongue. “You’re about as sneaky as a rhino.”

He laughed and then immediately sobered. “I’m sorry to have to approach you this way. I figured you were in enough shit with the cops that you didn’t need to be seen with me.”

I put my hands on my hips, still breathing hard. “Are you okay?”

He nodded. “The police cast a wide net, hoping to catch a fish, but they caught nothing. Nothing except an innocent hockey player. I heard on the news they suspended you. And tossed your house.”

I worked to steady my breath. “They wanted me to turn informant on you. I told them to fuck off.”

“Mica, out of everyone, you got the worst of this. They found nothing in my warehouse, nothing in my home. They have nothing on me, so this is going nowhere. This will blow over for you.”

“That’s good.”

He eyed me, always knowing me better than anyone else. “What are you holding back?”

“I need a favor.”

“Anything.”

People in my life always told me I was wild and reckless. Compared to Andrusha, I was tame. He was the epitome of a crazy Russian. In the same minute, he could flip between being a stone-cold killer and gushing over a baby in a stroller. His personality embraced the extremes of the worst sinner and the greatest saint. Growing up, my only claim to fame was that I could outrun and out-skate him.

“What do you know about Yazimoto?”

Andrusha’s face clouded, and he spit over his left shoulder. “Sake-drinking bastard.”

“So, he’s not an ally?”

Andrusha leaned forward, passionate about the topic. “The Sasori run their business like a cold corporation, and they have absolutely no soul. I pride myself on running a family-focused business.” He shook his head in disgust. “He’s bad for all of us. Since he took a foothold, there are more police raids, and he puts everyone on the radar because he doesn’t give a fuck. He’s created a hostile environment with authorities, and no one likes it. Why do you want to know about that dirtbag, anyway?”

“A woman I know got saddled with her brother’s debt to Yazimoto. She’s on the infinite debt repayment plan.” My voice hardened. “I want that debt cleared and I want him out of her life.”

Andrusha’s face softened. “A woman, hey? Last time I saw you go to bat for a girl, you were in grade school. If I recall, she also crushed your iron heart. Who is this woman?”

“The woman I am going to marry.”

Andrusha’s face slackened in shock. “You don’t believe in marriage.”

I explained that this was the one way I could come back from getting traded, and it was still a long shot.

“Mica, Mica.” He shook his head. “This is my fault. I should have never called you the other night.”

“No,” I interrupted him. “I wanted to see you.”

He looked sad. “I promised myself I would never let my life touch or harm yours. I’ve already broken that promise.”

“You’re family, Andrusha. You always will be. Can you set me up a meeting with Yazimoto?”

He shook his head. “Let me handle Yazimoto.”