“I’m not going to say you can trust me,” Delaney continued. “Because I’ll do whatever it takes to survive, and that includes fucking you over six ways to Sunday. But if you need someone to talk to…” She trailed off.
“Your father really wants this marriage, doesn’t he?”
“Desperate for it,” she answered.
“Why?” I asked. The media deal didn’t make any sense, not with my father’s cash flow problems.
“Your empire’s falling apart,” she said simply. “My father wants to pillage the ruins when it collapses.”
My hands tightened on the steering wheel.
“When it all goes to shit,” Delaney continued matter-of-factly, “my father will be there to pick up the pieces. The deal he signed with your father for this marriage guaranteed that. And if by some miracle, your father turns things around, my father will make a fortune by merging.”
“Fuck.”
She studied her perfectly manicured nails. “So here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll play the devoted girlfriend?—”
“You’re not my girlfriend,” I snarled.
“Your devoted girlfriend,” she repeated. “I’ll smile for the cameras, wear your jersey, and let you use me as cover for whatever bullshit games you’re playing.”
“I’m not?—”
“Please.” She cut me off. “I’m not stupid.” Her gaze turned to mine as I drove. “Just keep me safe, Cole. When this blows up—and it will—make sure I’m not collateral damage.”
I swallowed hard. Fuck. Fuck!
“All right,” I said roughly. “You play your part, and I’ll do the best I can.”
“Not good enough,” she snapped.
“Fine,” I muttered. “Appreciate your honesty.”
“I’m sorry,” Delaney said after a long silence. “About your girlfriend.”
“Yeah,” I said roughly. “Me fucking too.”
A text message displayed on my car’s screen.
Tristan
You really doing this?
I stared at it, my chest constricting. I’d warned him about Delaney arriving, that she’d be in the bleachers with the puck bunnies and girlfriends. He knew why I was doing it, and he was still pissed, dammit.
“Friend?”
“You could say that,” I rasped.
Delaney looked at me as I drove out of the airport parking lot. “You okay?”
“I have to be.”
I rolledup to pregame in my required suit, my hands shaking slightly as I gripped the steering wheel.
Just get through tonight. Play the game. Smile for thecameras with Delaney. Make Dad think you’re falling in line so he doesn’t hurt anyone.
Someone rapped on my window—Massi, already in his suit, icy annoyance written across his face.