Sin Bin

by Maureen Smith

  Reid and Viggo were bent over their phones, smiling as they texted their fiancées. Hunter responded to a text, put his phone away and picked up his beer.

  Dmitri waggled his eyebrows at him. “Hot date?”

  Hunter’s lips twitched. “If you must know, I’m meeting someone in half an hour.”

  Dmitri grinned lecherously. “So it’s a booty call, then.”

  Hunter just chuckled and drank his beer.

  Dubinski looked at Logan, opened his mouth and closed it. He took a swig of beer and put his glass down, then blurted out, “Okay. I just have to say it.”

  Logan narrowed his eyes. He knew what was coming.

  “I can’t believe Lucien Brassard is your father!” Dubinski exclaimed. “Holy shit, dude! Why the hell would you keep something like that a secret? Your dad’s one of the most powerful men in this country, and you just coldcocked him like it was nothing!”

  Logan was silent, drinking his beer as Reid and Viggo glared at Dubs.

  He didn’t take the hint. “I played for the Maple Leafs, so I know what a big deal the Brassards are. I never thought I’d be teammates with a member of such an illustrious family. I mean, I know you don’t talk much about your past, but it’s pretty obvious you weren’t happy to see your old man—”

  “With good reason.” Logan set his glass down sharply, a muscle thumping in his jaw. “He didn’t acknowledge me for twenty-five years. As far as I’m concerned, he can go fuck himself.”

  “I hear you, bro,” Dubinski commiserated, shaking his head. “He seems like a real douchebag, and I don’t blame you for hating his guts. But the guy belongs to a fucking dynasty, man. When he dies, his kids are gonna inherit more money than God, and one of them will be put in charge of the foundation. As his firstborn child, you’re rightfully entitled to—”

  “Marek,” Hunter cut in softly.

  Dubinski looked at him.

  “Stop talking.”

  Dubinski reddened and gave a jerky nod, then downed the rest of his beer and mumbled, “I gotta take a leak.”

  No sooner had he left than two long-legged bunnies sashayed over, batting their eyelashes and gushing excitedly, “Heyyy, Rebels! We’re such huge fans! Mind if we join you?”

  “Thanks, ladies,” Hunter drawled, “but we’re good.”

  “Speak for yourself.” Dmitri winked at the girls. “I’d love your company. Please join us.” When he patted his thigh, the blonde practically knocked her friend out of the way to sit on his lap.

  When the brunette tried to sit on Logan’s lap, he shook his head and stopped her. “No.”

  She pouted. “Why not?”

  “I’m in a relationship.”

  Her pout deepened. “Is it serious?”

  “Very serious,” Logan said.

  She scowled.

  The blonde fluttered her fake eyelashes at Reid and Viggo. “Are you guys still engaged?”

  “Yup,” they confirmed.

  “When are your weddings?”

  “June,” Reid answered.

  “July,” Viggo said.

  “It’s May.” The blonde smiled suggestively. “You’re still free agents.”

  Reid and Viggo chuckled. “Not quite.”

  The blonde looked pointedly around the bar. “Your fiancées aren’t here, so what’s the problem?”

  “Yeah,” her friend purred cajolingly, trailing her hands over their shoulders. “Let’s have some fun, boys. We won’t tell anyone. It’ll be our little secret.”

  Reid and Viggo merely smiled, finished their beer and rose from the table. “Goodnight, folks. We’re out.”

  As they sauntered off, Dmitri slapped the pouting blonde’s ass, signaling her to get up. When she did, he stood and snaked an arm around each bunny’s waist. “C’mon, ladies. Let’s go someplace private and get better acquainted.”

  The girls simpered and giggled as Dmitri led them away.

  Hunter smiled wryly, shaking his head at Logan. “Let’s move to the bar. I feel like we’re sitting targets right here.”

  They picked up their beers and grabbed stools at the bar just as Dubinski came back from the restroom.

  “Damn. Where’d everybody go?” Without waiting for an answer, he rubbed his hands together. “I just ran into our good friend Hugo Girard,” he announced, referring to a popular Canadian IndyCar driver. “He’s having a party at a club down the street and he wants us to come.”

  “Count me out,” Hunter drawled. “I already have plans.”

  “Yeah, yeah, we know. You’ve got a booty call with one of your superhot ‘acquaintances.’ Don’t rub it in.” Dubinski grinned and leaned on the bar next to Logan. “What about you?”

  “I don’t think so.” Logan sipped his beer, watching the TV behind the bar. He’d been to several of Hugo’s parties over the years. They got pretty wild.

  “I told him I’d go,” Dubinski said. “Come with me.”

  Logan shot him a sideways glance. “Are you and Jess having problems?”

  A shadow crossed Dubinski’s face before he said quickly, “No.”

  Logan cocked a skeptical eyebrow.

  Dubinski’s eyes shifted away. “We’re good. I just—”

  “Just what? You just feel like sabotaging what might be the best relationship you’ve ever had?” Logan shook his head at him. “What’s going on, bro? What’re you trying to prove?”

  “Nothing, man. It’s just a party—”

  “A party attended by lots of beautiful, available women,” Hunter smoothly interjected. “Is that really where you need to be?”

  Dubinski blew out a breath and raked his hand through his short hair. “Look, I’ll be honest. Things are kinda rocky between me and Jess right now. I don’t want to get into the details, but…I just need a distraction, even if that means sitting in a corner all night talking racecars with Hugo’s pit crew.” He smiled wryly at Logan. “No offense, but you look like you could use a distraction, too.”

  Logan clenched his jaw, thinking of his father. As he looked down at his hand and flexed his swollen knuckles, renewed fury tightened his gut.

  “Come to the party with me,” Dubinski implored. “You can keep an eye on me, make sure I don’t do anything stupid.”

  “I’m not your babysitter,” Logan grumbled.

  “Aw, c’mon, man.” Dubinski puffed out a breath. “Look, I didn’t want to go there, but you owe me. Remember that time you got shitfaced and I covered for—”

  “I remember.” Logan shifted uncomfortably on the stool, avoiding Hunter’s speculative gaze. “Fuck you for bringing that up.”

  Dubinski laughed. “I knew it would come in handy one day. So what do you say, bro? Will you be my chaperone?”

  Logan glared at him.

  “C’mon, Brassard. Do this for me and we’ll call it even.”

  After several more seconds of glaring, Logan drained his beer and slammed the glass down on the bar. “Let’s go.”

  Dubs grinned in relief.

  Before Logan could stand and follow him, an iron hand clamped down on his shoulder. He turned his head to meet Hunter’s warning glare.

  “You’ve got a woman back home who loves and adores you. Don’t do anything to jeopardize that. Don’t do something you’ll regret.”

  Logan flexed his jaw and nodded tersely. “I won’t.”

  Hunter’s unflinching green eyes bored into his. After a tense moment, he released him and signaled the bartender for another beer.

  Logan rolled his shoulders and set his jaw, then stood and followed Dubinski out of the bar.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  MEADOW

  * * *

  Meadow spent saturday morning volunteering at a local nonprofit adoption center. Working with foster children always brought her such joy and gave her a sense of purpose like nothing else.

  She was in good spirits when she returned to Logan’s penthouse. She couldn’t wait to see him again. The Rebels were playing game four tonight and fly
ing back home immediately afterward. She really hoped they’d win and close out the series in the next game.

  Stepping through the front door, she tossed her keys on the foyer table, kicked off her shoes and padded barefoot to the gleaming kitchen. The massive refrigerator was stocked with bottled water, sports drinks, beetroot juice and craft beer. There was no soda. Though Logan indulged in alcohol, he avoided soda and other caffeinated beverages. He drank mostly water and those godawful protein shakes concocted by the team nutritionist.

  Although Meadow hadn’t acquired a taste for the gag-worthy drinks, she was making a concerted effort to eat healthier and get in better shape. Dating a prime physical specimen made her want to step up her game.

  She grabbed a bottle of water and headed for the master bedroom to change into her workout clothes. There was a spin class starting soon at the fitness center downstairs. She could make it if she hurried.

  After that she’d have to find something to occupy her time until Logan came home. Aunt Rosalie and Cam were attending an out of town hockey tournament. Bianca and Nadia were away on business. Scarlett had a band gig in Albuquerque and Jess was doing stuff with her mom. So Meadow was on her own today.

  Dressed in her workout clothes, she headed out of the room. When her phone rang in her hand, she paused and looked at the screen. She didn’t recognize the number, but the Las Vegas area code made her think she might know the caller.

  “Hello?” she answered cautiously.

  “Hello,” said a woman’s unfamiliar voice. “Is this Meadow?”

  “Yes.”

  There was a long pause.

  “Hey, baby girl,” the woman said warmly. “It’s so good to hear your voice.”

  The hair on the back of Meadow’s neck lifted. “Who is this?”

  “You probably don’t remember me. This is your aunt Everly. I’m your mother’s baby sister.”

  Her words punched the air out of Meadow’s lungs. She swayed as the floor seemed to tilt beneath her feet.

  “Meadow?”

  She was so shocked she could barely speak. “H-How did you get my number?” she said in a choked whisper.

  The woman evaded the question. “It’s been a long time.”

  With her legs threatening to buckle, Meadow leaned against the wall beside the bedroom door. “Why are you calling me? What do you want?”

  “I wanted to talk to you.” Everly’s voice quieted. “I’ve been hoping to reconnect with you for a very long time.”

  Meadow felt the twinge of a long-buried memory rushing back to the surface of her mind. She saw herself waking up in a hospital bed with a bandaged temple. There was a woman sitting by her bedside, tears streaming down her face. Someday you’ll understand…Be a good girl and do what you’re told….

  “It was you,” Meadow breathed as the memory became clearer, like an exhumed skeleton. “You left me at the hospital that day. You told me I was going to a new home because you couldn’t take care of me. Then you kissed me goodbye and walked out of the room.”

  There was a startled beat of silence. “You remember that?”

  “I didn’t. Not until just now. Hearing your voice…” Meadow rubbed her temple with trembling fingers, her mind buzzing with more images. A gray-haired doctor in a lab coat…nurses hovering with sympathetic frowns…a middle-aged Hispanic woman with the world-weary expression of a social worker who’d seen her share of horrors.

  Her aunt resumed speaking. “I had a friend who worked for DFS. So I was able to keep track of you for a while to see how you were doing—”

  “As if you cared,” Meadow said bitterly.

  “I did care!” her aunt insisted. “A few years ago I tried to find you again, but it was like you’d disappeared off the face of the earth! It was only when I saw your pictures online that I was able to track you down through social media.” Her voice softened, but her next words sent a chill through every corner of Meadow’s body. “I know you’ve been hiding from us. You’ve covered your tracks well.”

  “Not well enough, apparently.” Meadow’s lips trembled as she bit out the words. “You shouldn’t have called me. I didn’t want to be found.”

  “I know. And I don’t blame you.” Her aunt paused mournfully. “Your grandparents passed away a long time ago.”

  Meadow said nothing. She didn’t remember her grandparents. They were strangers to her. Strangers who hadn’t wanted her.

  “Your uncle Flynn died recently.”

  Meadow remained silent, offering no condolences, no words of sympathy.

  “We moved to a different house a few years after…after your parents died.”

  Meadow swallowed hard and closed her eyes tightly.

  “Will you please say something?” her aunt whispered beseechingly. “Talk to me—”

  “Why should I?” Meadow lashed out. “I don’t owe you a damn thing. You left me!”

  “I did you a favor!”

  “How? By abandoning me to foster care? By turning me into a ward of the state?”

  “Yes!” her aunt cried. “Do you have any idea how differently your life would have turned out if I’d kept you? Your uncle was a monster! We fought all the time and money was always tight! If you’d stayed with us, you would have grown up poor and abused—”

  “Do you think foster care was a picnic?”

  “No, but it was better than the life I could have given you! You were in the system for only three years before—”

  “Only three years? Those three years felt like a lifetime!”

  “But it wasn’t a lifetime! Harris Ryan rescued you! He bought you a nice house, raised you in a good neighborhood, put you through college. He gave you the kind of life your parents would have wanted for you. So yes, baby girl, I did you a damn favor!”

  Meadow was shaking her head from side to side. “I don’t understand you. If your husband was so horrible, how could you stay with him? How could you choose him over your own flesh and blood? How could you let your niece—an innocent child—become a fucking orphan?”

  “It’s not that simple—”

  “Yes, it is! You said yourself that he was a monster! Why didn’t you leave him?”

  “Because I loved him!” her aunt exploded.

  Meadow went still, incredulity warring with disgust.

  Her aunt broke down sobbing. “I’m not proud to admit that, but it’s true! He was my husband, and I loved him!”

  “Well, then, I’m sorry for your loss,” Meadow said with scathing courtesy.

  “I just wanted to protect you,” her aunt choked out between sobs. “That’s all I ever wanted!”

  A tiny knot of fear twisted in Meadow’s stomach. “Protect me from what?”

  Her aunt sniffled hard. She didn’t answer.

  “How did Uncle Flynn die?” Meadow asked slowly.

  There was a long pause. “He had an accident.”

  “What kind of accident? A car accident?”

  “No. He was drunk and he fell down the stairs at our house.”

  Something in her voice sent a chill through Meadow. As an unthinkable possibility occurred to her, she whispered, “Did you…did you push him?”

  Her aunt was silent.

  “Oh my God,” Meadow breathed.

  “If you go to the police, I’ll deny it,” her aunt said vehemently.

  A wave of nausea swept through Meadow. “Why?” she asked faintly. “Why did you kill him?”

  “I had to!” her aunt shrilled.

  “Why?”

  “Because he was sick and dangerous! And he was coming after you!”

  Cold fear slithered down Meadow’s spine. “W-What do you mean he was coming after me?”

  “He saw the pictures of you and that hockey player. He started talking about how you’d come up in the world, landed yourself a rich baller. He found out where you lived and he was coming to extort money from you. And I don’t think he would have stopped there.”

  “Dear God,” Meadow whispered sickly. S
he remembered the strange phone call she’d received from an unknown number. It must have been her uncle.

  “I couldn’t let him ruin your life. Not again!”

  Meadow’s blood ran ice cold. “What do you mean ‘not again’?”

  Her aunt began sobbing once more.

  “What did he do?” Meadow croaked.

  Her aunt just kept sobbing.

  “Tell me.”

  “I’m so sorry—”

  “Tell me!” Meadow yelled.

  “He killed your parents!”

  Meadow slid down the wall to the floor, trying to process her aunt’s shocking outburst. “I-I don’t understand,” she whispered through bloodless lips. “My parents…they…they were killed in a robbery.”

  Her aunt wept louder. “It wasn’t a robbery, baby.”

  “I don’t believe you. You’re lying!”

  “I wish I was—”

  “No!” Meadow felt herself starting to hyperventilate. “Please God, nooo!”

  The missing fragments of her memory slammed back into her brain with a sickening jolt that knocked the breath from her lungs. Suddenly she was plunged into the darkness of the past, harrowing visions from that fateful night hitting her full force. Violence. Blood. Death…

  * * *

  She was wearing pajamas when her parents came to pick her up from her aunt and uncle’s house. They’d been away at a teacher conference. She’d missed them and couldn’t wait to see them again.

  But something was wrong.

  Her daddy and uncle were shouting at each other. Her mommy was yelling at them to stop, but they weren’t listening. They were really mad. Suddenly her father punched her uncle. When her uncle punched Daddy back, Meadow screamed.

  As the two men started fighting, her mother scooped Meadow up and ran out of the room.

  “Why are they fighting, Mommy?” she whimpered.

  “Your uncle borrowed money from Daddy and won’t pay it back.” Her mother’s eyes were frenzied as she ran into the laundry room. She opened the utility closet door, shoved Meadow inside and knelt in front of her, peering urgently into her eyes. “Don’t make a sound! Okay, baby? Pretend you’re invisible!”