by Kat Mizera
Las Vegas Sidewinders: Jared
Kat Mizera
Copyright © 2019 by Kat Mizera
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Contents
Also by Kat Mizera
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Epilogue
Excerpt from “Protecting Delilah” (unedited, subject to change)
Also by Kat Mizera
The Las Vegas Sidewinders Series:
Dominic
Cody’s Christmas Surprise
Drake
Karl
Anatoli
Zakk
Toli & Tessa
Brock
Vladimir
Royce
Nate
Sidewinders: Ever After
Jared
Ian (TBD)
The Inferno Series:
Salvation’s Inferno
Temptation’s Inferno
Redemption’s Inferno
Tropical Inferno (formerly “Tropical Ice”)
Romancing Europe Series:
Adonis in Athens
Smitten in Santorini
The Alaska Blizzard Series:
Defending Dani
Holding Hailey
Winning Whitney
Losing Laurel
Saving Sarah (coming soon)
Other Books:
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Protecting Bobbi (Susan Stoker’s Special Forces World)
Brotherhood Protectors: Catching Lana (Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors World)
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Protecting Delilah (Susan Stoker’s Special Forces World) (coming soon)
1
With less than two minutes left in the period, a familiar tingle of excitement raced up Jared Wylde’s spine. He hadn’t expected to get so invested this quickly, but ten days could feel like a lifetime with something like this. Ten short days since he’d gotten the phone call to step in as an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Sidewinders hockey team and now they were ninety seconds away from winning the Stanley Cup. They were up by two goals, so they had to hang on a little longer.
“That’s it, boys,” he murmured under his breath, watching team captain Cody Armstrong take a pass from Jamie Teller and skate it down the ice, away from their goalie. He waited a few seconds, changing direction and passing it back to Jamie, who skated behind the opposing team’s goalie and passed to Toli Petrov.
“One minute.” Head coach Brad Barnett exchanged a glance with Jared.
This was it. The whole team leaned forward, holding its collective breath along with everyone in the stands. Winning any game at home was awesome, but winning a Stanley Cup at home was a whole other level of excitement.
The guys on the bench started tapping their sticks as the clock counted down, and a vague sense of sadness washed over him just as it struck zero and the Sidewinders practically vaulted onto the ice. They’d done it. They’d won a second championship in just six years of existence as a team. Despite his personal demons, he allowed himself to be swept up in hugs and high fives, and he eventually made his way onto the ice with the rest of the coaching staff.
“Couldn’t have done it without you, Jared.” Brad clapped him on the back.
“The team practically did it on their own.” Jared grinned. “But I appreciate you saying that.”
The roar of the crowd was deafening and Jared took a deep breath as he pushed away memories of another championship, another time, almost exactly a decade ago. It had been the night of his life, in more ways than one. Until it turned into a nightmare.
“We’re having people over to the house,” Brad was saying to him as the on-ice celebration started to wind down. Their eyes met and Jared cocked his head.
“Not willing to let history repeat itself?” he asked dryly.
“That’s not the reason, but why tempt fate? Anyway, it’s going to be a good time. I’ve got ten cases of champagne and everyone’s bringing friends… I’m sure there’ll be plenty of mischief for you to get into.”
“I don’t do mischief much these days,” Jared laughed. “But since I’m staying with you, I’m going to be there one way or another.”
Pulling up to the big, sprawling mansion on the brand-new Harley-Davidson motorcycle he’d bought two weeks ago, he stowed his helmet and stuck his keys in his pocket. Though he’d been staying here since he’d arrived in Las Vegas, he was still surprised Brad and Andra had picked a home that was so big. They were in their late fifties, with no children living with them. How much house did one couple need?
He’d just lifted his hand to open the door when it flew open and a woman came out, all but bouncing off his chest as she ran into him. She jumped back in surprise, her hand flying to her chest.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” she burst out, her eyes widening.
“Hey, no problem.” He reached out a hand to steady her and found himself staring into a pair of stunning green eyes.
“Go on in,” she said, giving him a half-smile. “Sorry again.” She hurried down the front steps toward the street and opened the trunk of a sweet convertible Mercedes parked on the curb. She grabbed two big bags and nearly toppled over when she tried to close the trunk again.
Damn, who the hell was she and was she coming back in?
He had no idea, but she was probably going to hurt herself trying to carry everything, so he bounded back down to the street and closed the trunk for her. “Can I carry something for you?” he asked politely.
“Oh, um, yes. Thank you.” She handed him what appeared to be a soft-sided cooler and he was surprised at how heavy it was.
“It’s full of vodka-infused red velvet cupcakes,” she said, “so try to keep it right side up if you can.”
“Sure thing.” He smiled to himself as he walked back into the house. Vodka-infused cupcakes sounded like the opposite of what you’d serve a bunch of hockey players, but he was impressed nonetheless.
Andra met them at the door, smiling widely. “Thanks, Jared. Would you put that on the kitchen counter please? Renee, do you have anything else?”
“There’s a full tray of brownies on the seat,” the green-eyed woman responded. “But I’ll grab those in just a minute.”
“You have to stop feeding me,” Andra was protesting as Jared got into the kitchen and their voices faded out.
Renee. He’d have to remember that.
It wasn’t until the house was full and she’d had a few drinks that R
enee DeSantos wondered who the hot guy was that had helped her carry in the desserts she’d baked. She’d been anxious to get everything ready before the team arrived and hadn’t expected someone to be coming in as she’d been running out. She wished she’d taken a few minutes to talk to him, but there hadn’t been time and he’d been so good-looking she’d been momentarily gobsmacked. And that never happened.
Now, drink in hand as she mingled, she had a chance to think about him. Could he be the new assistant coach everyone had been talking about? She’d been out of town at a conference and a writing retreat for the last two weeks and hadn’t had a chance to meet him, but Andra had mentioned him. When one of the team’s assistant coaches, Yvon Gagner, had a heart attack just under two weeks ago during the third round of the playoffs leading up to the championship series, they’d needed someone to fill in immediately. That’s all she knew, but she intended to find out more, so she went in search of Andra.
As always, she was in the kitchen, and Renee asked what she could do to help.
“Not a thing. You baked all these wonderful desserts so I’m just going to set them out on the dining room table. I’m sure the boys will want to indulge.”
“Champagne and cupcakes,” Renee mused. “Yum.”
“Speaking of yummy, I saw the way you looked at our new assistant coach.” Andra’s eyes twinkled. “I need to have the two of you over for dinner.”
“Is he single?”
“He is. I don’t know that he’s open to a relationship at this time, but you don’t know until you try.”
“I can’t imagine a one-nighter would be a bad thing with a guy that looks like him.”
“A smart, beautiful woman like you should aspire for more than a casual fuck,” Andra said gently, moving toward the dining room.
Renee watched her go, wondering if she had a point. Hadn’t she mourned her husband long enough? She’d been alone a long time but had never really been lonely. In addition to a daughter she adored, she was lucky enough to have had the best girlfriends over the years. It wasn’t always enough, but she’d had her share of sex, men, and dates.
Her thoughts shifted as Jared came in from the patio and refilled his glass of champagne from one of the bottles in the dining room. Their eyes met across the room since the open floor plan afforded her a view of the dining and family rooms, and she smiled, inclining her head in acknowledgement. He smiled back and seemed to be assessing her carefully. He’d just taken a step in her direction when the door opened. A few more guys on the team arrived, and he was pulled the other way.
She sighed with disappointment but headed into the room to refill her own glass of champagne. Hopefully, they’d have an opportunity to talk later.
“Who’s ready for shots?” Brad called out, coming out of the kitchen with a tray full of small plastic cups filled with amber-colored liquid. “Fireball on the left, tequila on the right.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Renee caught Jared moving toward Brad so she did the same, arriving just as he did. They exchanged another long, interesting look as Brad turned to her questioningly.
“Fireball for me,” she said, taking one off the tray.
“I’m down with Fireball.” Jared took one as well.
“To champions,” Renee said lightly, raising the shot glass.
“I’ll drink to that.” Jared winked and they both emptied their glasses.
Renee swallowed and smacked her lips. “Nectar of the gods.”
“Nothing better than a woman who enjoys a good shot of whisky.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Renee plucked two more shots off the tray and handed one to him.
“To women who drink whisky.”
“And to the men who appreciate us.”
2
They downed the second round of shots just as Dom came barreling over to them.
“Shots!” Dom Gianni grabbed the tray out of Brad’s hand and headed outside to where some of his teammates were waiting. “You comin’, Jared? We’re playing beer pong, except now it’s gonna be Fireball pong.”
Jared nodded. “Right behind you.” He turned to Renee almost apologetically. “I’ve been summoned, but maybe we can do another round later.” His dark eyes gleamed with intensity and she smiled.
“I’ll be here,” was all she said. Damn Dom and his timing. They’d been about to actually talk and Dom had ruined it.
“Hey, Renee.” Dom’s wife, Molly, came up beside her.
“Hi, Molly.” Renee turned and smiled. She’d met Molly a few times at hockey games earlier in the season and she seemed like a nice woman.
“So after we talked last time, I read the first two books in your Phantoms of the Military series,” Molly said. “I have to say I’m loving it and book three is on my e-reader, waiting for me to find some quiet time to read.”
“Oh, good, I’m so glad. I didn’t want to start talking about my books when I was sitting with you guys because I hate putting my real-life friends in the position of feeling like they have to read them.”
“Well, I’m a voracious reader, and if I’d hated it, I just wouldn’t have said anything at all. I read a lot, though, and I’m so glad I started this series. Like we talked about the other night, I’d read a couple of your standalone novels, but I hadn’t read any of your series and this one is great so far.”
“I enjoy writing series,” Renee said.
“Hey, guys.” Another player’s wife, Erin Riser, joined them. “Are you talking about Petra and Her Phantom?”
Molly nodded. “I can’t wait to start reading it.”
“It’s soooo good,” Erin said. “I’m on book four, Fancy and Her Fantasy.”
“You should write a hockey romance,” Andra added, joining them. “Have a fictional team set in a city that doesn’t have an NHL team in real life, and each book can be about a different player on the team.”
Renee laughed. “I’ve actually considered it, but I have two more books in the Phantom series coming out this year and the first book in my spinoff, so it would have to be next year.”
“Well, you have plenty of great inspiration,” Erin grinned. “In this room and beyond.”
“Your temporary coach is definitely inspiring me,” Renee chuckled.
“I think he’s going to be more than temporary,” Molly murmured, glancing outside where the guys had all congregated by the pool.
“Brad is retiring,” Andra said, nodding. “And he’s put Jared’s name in the hat to take over for him. If Yvon hadn’t had the heart attack, the job might have been his, but now I think Jared’s a shoo-in. Petr doesn’t want the job and the guys seemed to click with Jared.” Petr Svoboda was the other assistant coach.
“The puck bunnies are going to lose their minds,” Erin said, shaking her head. “He’s hot.”
“He’s older than most of the players,” Molly pointed out. “I think the socialites are going to come out of the woodwork.”
“I just want to see him naked,” Renee whispered, a giggle escaping. The other women laughed, too, nodding.
“And when that happens,” Erin said, “you have to give us every detail.”
“Details about what?” Tessa Petrov, Toli’s wife, demanded as she joined them.
“What Jared looks like naked,” Andra whispered.
Tessa’s eyes widened. “Oooh, I’d be down for drinks and hearing the details about that.”
Renee blushed. “Guys, it’s just a fantasy. First of all, he’s younger than I am, so chances are, he’s not giving me a second glance. We also don’t know for sure he’s single. He may not be married, but there could be someone he’s seeing back wherever home is since he just got here. And anyway, I’m not hooking up with people on the team. I’m at all the games when I’m not traveling and I spend a lot of time at Chelsea and Nate’s house—that would be embarrassing.”
“Life is too short to be embarrassed about enjoying sex,” Andra said primly.
“I second that notion.” Erin raised her glass.
“Shot time.” Brad appeared out of nowhere with another tray filled with shots of Fireball.
“I’m going to die,” Tessa moaned.
“Come on,” Erin nudged her. “You’re too young to wuss out, and it’s been three months since your surgery.”
Tessa grimaced but picked up a shot glass. “Here’s to post-hysterectomy hangovers.”
“I don’t think I want to drink to that,” Renee joked.
After another round of shots, Renee moved out onto the patio with Erin and Andra as Brad was getting ready to make an announcement. He stood up and looked around after he’d gotten everyone to quiet down.
“Thank you for joining us in celebrating at our home tonight,” he said with a smile. “Most of us here are a little older since the younger guys and their significant others took off for the Strip, but before we get too shit-faced, I want to say a few words. As most of you know, I’ll be officially announcing my retirement tomorrow, so I’m proud to have won two championships with this team. It’s been a hell of a ride and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my career.” He paused, looking around. “All of you have meant something to me, from my players to the coaching staff, support staff and upper management. It won’t be easy to say goodbye, but I’m ready, so I’d like to toast all of you here tonight…and say a heartfelt, personal thank-you for the last six years.”
As he lifted his glass, Renee somehow found another shot in her hand, which she downed without thinking.