WRECKING THE CRUEL HOCKEY GOD

Chapter 4: The ‘Mara’ Project

✓ Zykiel

"So we're clear," I say into the phone. "She's hired. I'm covering her pay for the next four weeks; she stays at The Hyde with the rest of the crew. You just make sure she follows the damn rules I sent you."

"Absolutely, Mr. Gunner." Zester's voice has that pathetic scramble in it, trying to sound all calm and failing miserably. "I'll personally make sure Ms. Kensley toes the line."

"Money's not a problem on my end. You don't sweat that part."

"Actually... it's not the money I'm worried about, Mr. Gunner. Can I speak freely for a second?"

"Speak."

"Mara's sharp. She's more intelligent than most of the writers I've got. If she gets a whiff that I set this whole thing up with you, the assignment, the timing, all of it landing the same day Finn walked out... she's going to put it together. And when she does, my name's attached to it. My IceLine Media's attached to it."

"So?"

"So I need to know you've got a plan for that. Because if this blows up, it doesn't just blow up on you. It costs me my reputation too, and I've got a business to run after this month is over."

"Zester." I let the pause sit for a second before I say anything else.

"You worry about getting her ass on that bus tomorrow morning. That's your job. What happens after she's under my roof isn't yours to lose sleep over."

"I just don't want to be the one holding the damn bag if..."

"You won't be. I've handled bigger f*****g messes than a nervous editor. This one's already handled."

He drops mute for a second; I can hear him deciding whether to push it further. He doesn't.

"Understood. I'll have her on that bus at eight sharp."

"Good."

"I appreciate that, sir, truly. And I just want to say, IceLine Media is beyond grateful you picked us for this. We look forward to..."

"I don't take pleasure in hiring your company or any other media company in Seattle for anything," I interrupt.

"I don't do the media, Zester. I just want your employee. So take the money I gave you, and keep my secrets about Mara. We good?"

"Yes, Mr. Gunner, absolutely..."

"Perfect."

I hang up before he can spin another word. I don't need the rest of his bullshit.

I sit back and look through the floor-length glass at the traffic crawling the streets of Seattle. It's funny how so much has changed in just a short time.

Two years ago, I was terrified to walk those streets after I lost everything I built with my own brain and blood. But now I own the view.

I pull my laptop toward me and click through to the footage of Mara from this morning. A shot from one of the many cams Finn helped me plant in her room many months back.

I zoom in on her face.

Mara Kensley. Cuddling that little velvet box of whatever s**t she wanted to gift Finn for an anniversary.

The shot is so damn clear, I can see her teary hazel eyes despite the fringes of her brown curls covering her forehead.

I smile. "Kensley. You actually thought I forgot about you, huh?"

Two years of rebuilding a name she dragged through hell with one blog post and a headline, watching every damn sponsor throw me out, watching my own face get stomped on and burned on a jersey outside an arena I used to own.

Two f*****g years I spent quietly, working, letting people think I was done.

I sit with her face a second longer and run the list in my head.

Her job is handled; she's mine for the next four weeks and her boss doesn't have the spine to say s**t otherwise.

Her landlord is handled. I made sure he always hung that debt on her neck every single morning.

Finn is handled too. Paid off and shipped out before he gets attached to any of this.

I've watched her closely.

Her life, her routines. From the pathetic, sick apartment she calls home, down to every single pore in her naked skin.

I've had my eyes on all of it for so long.

There's nothing left of her life I haven't already seen and claimed without her knowing.

And what exactly is next? Her tears.

I'm going to watch every single piece of your reputation burn to the absolute ground, Mara Kensley. Piece by piece, until there's nothing to hold onto.

I'm going to make you see and understand what the f**k you started with me.

By the time this tour wraps, you're going to be on your knees, begging me to fix your completely wrecked life. Just like I did in every media office two years ago.

Then while you're at it, I'm going to wipe my floors clean with your tears, and until I have that, I'm not letting you go. Ever.

The door behind me gets a subtle knock and opens. Finn walks in wearing a grin he clearly can't wait to show off. I shut the laptop instantly.

"FINN ALBERTO."

He lands on the couch across from me, still buzzing and raking his fingers through his hair.

The bag of cash he picked from my assistant, Mikael, is still hanging over one shoulder like he hasn't put it down since he left her place.

I pull out two whiskey glasses from my shelf and give us a good pour.

"Good job, man."

We drink up and he sets his glass down.

"Man, did you watch that girl's face? Absolutely destroyed! I've never seen someone disintegrate that fast all my life." He shakes his head, still grinning and looking proud.

"Actually... What do you have against Mara Kensley? Like, for real. What'd she do to you that's worth a whole damn year?"

"That's not your f*****g business, Finn."

"Come on, man. I put in the work. I think I earned the story."

"Your job was Mara. Not my reasons."

“But honestly… are you in love with her? Did she break your hea…”

I set my glass down on the tiled desk. "You did your part, Finn. You got paid, and now you're done. Go enjoy that money with Eve… and stay the f**k out of my business with Mara."

He puts his hands up, backing off fast.

"Alright, alright."

"On a different note..." I pick up the folded and well branded jersey with his name on the shelf behind me. "Welcome to the team, man."

His whole face explodes with it. "Wait, seriously? I'm in?"

"You're in of course, Finn. You'll join the training next tomorrow."

We knock glasses again and he's out of his chair half a second later, pacing, like the room's too small to hold whatever's running through him right now.

"So that means I'm on the tour. For real. I already packed my bag; I've had it ready since..."

"You don't expect me to pack it for you, do you?" I tease.

"No, no, I'm good, I'm ready." He laughs, dragging a hand down his face like he's trying to hold himself together.

Being on my team has been his wildest dream for a year now and I tasked him with the ‘Mara project.’ He delivered perfectly.

"This is insane. This is actually f*****g insane."

"Go get some sleep. We leave early."

"Thanks, Gunner."

He's still grinning as he walks out. As soon as the door shuts, I flip my laptop open again to keep watching the face of my prey.

A crazy, nasty smile takes over my face and I'm growing rather impatient.

"Can't wait to see you tomorrow, Mara Kensley."