His Dangerous Love On Ice (Olivia and Zane) novel Chapter 99

Zane’s POV

I stared at the threatening message for another minute before deleting it and tossing my phone on the desk.

Whoever was behind this clearly had resources. Information. Acess to things they shouldn’t have access to.

Which meant they were either someone in my inner circle or someone with enough money to buy their way in.

Both options were terrifying.

I stood up, pacing my office, trying to think through every possibility when there was a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I called.

Scott, one of my security team, stepped inside looking uncomfortable.

“Sir.” he said. “Your father is here.”

I froze, turning to look at him.

“William is here.” And he nodded.

“Yes Sir.”

“Where?” I asked.

“Downstairs,” Scott said. “He let himself in. He’s in the main living room.”

Let himself in. Because William Mercer didn’t believe in boundaries or basic courtesy.

“Is he alone?” I asked.

“No sir,” Marcus said, and his expression told me I wasn’t going to like the answer. “Ryan is with him.”

Fuck.

My cousin. The one Duncan wanted on the ice. The one my father had been grooming to be another perfect Mercer right after Antonio, his golden son.

“Tell them I’ll be down in five minutes,” I said.

Scott nodded and left, closing the door behind him.

I took a breath, steadied myself, and headed downstairs.

William was standing in my living room like he owned it, a glass of my whiskey in his hand that he’d helped himself to from my bar. He looked exactly like he always did-perfectly pressed suit, perfectly combed hair, perfectly controlled expression that gave away nothing.

Ryan stood next to him, younger, less polished, but with that same calculating look in his eyes, and I tried to remember the last time we met. Yes… in Chicago, when I broke his nose.

“Zane,” William said when he saw me. “Finally. We’ve been waiting.”

“You could have called,” I said flatly.

“I did.” William replied. “You didn’t answer. So I came in person. We need to talk about the game.”

“What game?” I asked, even though I already knew.

“Don’t play stupid,” William said. “The charity match next week. Wolves versus Raptors. Duncan MacLeod’s little publicity stunt. You agreed to play.”

“How do you know that?” I demanded. “I just got off the phone with Duncan twenty minutes ago.”

William smiled, Cold. Calculating. “I make it my business to know every hockey games that revolves around you. You should know that by now.”

Of course he did.

“What about it?” I asked.

“You’re going to win,” William said. It wasn’t a request. It was an arder.

“Obviously,” I said.

“I’m serious, Zane,” William continued. “This isn’t just another game. This is about reputation. About showing the world that the Mercer name still means something. That we’re still the best

“I know how to win a hockey game, Dad,” I said. “I don’t need a lecture.”

“Don’t you?” William challenged. “Because lately it seems like you’ve been more focused on your little girlfriend than on your career. More interested in playing house than maintaining the legacy I built for you.”

I felt my jaw tighten. “She has nothing to do with this.”

“Doesn’t she?” William asked. “Your performance has been declining. Your focus is scattered. You’re making reckless decisions-like sabotaging Cole Maddox’s endorsement deal-that have consequences beyond whatever drama you think you’re creating.”

“Cole deserved what he got,” I said, lying again.

“That’s not the point,” William snapped. “The point is you did it for a woman. A woman who, might I remind you, you’re only supposed to have for how long? A business arrangement because I know you. You don’t do relationships.”

“I don’t do relationships. It means you don’t know anything about me,” I said.

“Don’t I?” William moved closer, his eyes hard. “I know exactly what I’m talking about. I know you’re getting attached. I know you’re letting her affect your judgment. And I know that if you don’t end this soon, she’s going to destroy everything I’ve worked to build. I’m not going to repeat this conversation again.

“She’s not destroying anything,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Isn’t she?” William countered. “Your sister is furious with you. Your mother’s family is asking questions. The board is concerned about your priorities. Even though you made us aligned with her company just to keep her close. And all of it traces back to one girl who should never have been more than a listraction.”

“Enough,” I said.

“It’s not enough,” William countered back. “Not nearly enough. So here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to play this game. You’re going to win. You’re going to show everyone that you’re still focused, still dominant, still the player I raised you to be. And then you’re going to end things with Olive Monroe before she costs you everything”

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