Page 146 of Stand and Defend
“After, we take it to the NHL Board of Governors, packaged in a neat little bow with this recording.” She wiggles her phone. “He could show up with cash in hand, and they’d spit in his face.”Clever girl. “Then we’ll give the media a head start before the Davenports or H&H can begin damage control.”
“We should call?—”
“Alexis,” she says, following my train of thought with a smile. She and my sister chatted about work a lot over Thanksgiving. Jordan knows she’s a journalist in Boston. Alexis is cutthroat. She’ll eat him alive.
“And she can use it as a jump start to expose the law firm that’s taking bribes on the side. I’m sure the NHL won’t be too happy to hear about it.” After a moment, her eyes soften, and she looks up at me. “I’m sorry, Cam. I never meant for you to get wrapped up in this.”
After hearing he laid his hands on her, it doesn’t seem like enough justice, but I’ll do whatever I have to to protect Jordan as she takes him down.
“Whatever you need, say the word.”
“I need you to trust me.”
Jordan is savage. On the outside, she’s sweet and feminine, but she’s got a fierce streak that’s almostfrightening. She’s a bad bitch with zero fear.And she’s mine.Just when I think I can’t love her more...
As much as I want to beat Bryan into the great beyond, I recognize her need to enact vengeance and love her enough to restrain myself to give her the satisfaction.
She’s thought this through, and Jordan’s right—this needs to be strategic. Bryan only has the balls to do and say the shit he does because of his money, business, and reputation. I grew up with the guy, I know the way his brain works. He’s nothing without cash and clout. He hides behind his prestige to give him the appearance of power.
And she’s about to rip it all away.
51
My car is warming up outside. I check the clock one last time as I pace—1:00 a.m.
It’s time.
I flip up my black hood and tuck the burner phone in my pocket. The house is silent. Tiptoeing into the garage, I’m careful to face the mud room door as I make my escape. Walking backward toward my car—while praying Cam doesn’t wake up—my fingers feel for the driver door handle, I pull it and spin around, ready to make a mad dash.
“You’re up late.” I jump out of my skin with a shriek when I see him already in the driver’s seat.
“What the fuck?! You’re supposed to be sleeping!”
“I could say the same to you.” He waits for me to explain myself.
“I need you to get out of the car. I have an errand to run.”
He chuckles. “Get in, Jordan. I’m not going to stop you from whatever thiserrandis, but you’re not going alone.”
My weight shifts. I don’t have time to argue with him. It’s now or never. I hurry around the car and climb into the passenger seat.
“Where are we going?”
I glare at him in the darkness. “Veronica’s.”
“Oh, is it a slumber party?”
“It is forBryan.”
“We’re not about to commit murder, are we? Because if that’s the case, I need to change my outfit.”
“Cam, please don’t joke. I need you to trust what I’m doing and not try to stop me. I didn’t tell you about it because I didn’t want to put you at risk. You cannot get in my way tonight.”
He nods, and we drive in silence. When we arrive on the street, I tell him to turn off the lights, and we pass Veronica’s house, parking behind Bryan’s car—my old car.
“Turn off the engine.” So far, he’s been doing what I ask without question, and I appreciate it.
Bryan liked to keep tabs on my location. How convenient that I can still track the Lexus he once gifted me. He’s been at Veronica’s all evening, based on the car’s tracker not moving, he’s staying the night. I’ve been waiting for this. I know exactly where her security cameras are and am careful to stay out of sight. Her house will easily allow me to get in and out undetected. She has no neighbors across the street, which is helpful.