End Game (New York Stars Book 1)

“IT ISN’T enough to just play hockey, Liam. I’ve already passed invitations to Gracie that you should have accepted. You can’t be a hermit!”

“Why not? I don’t want to attend any of those bullshit events. I do the promo shoots. Surely that’s enough,” I demand, relieved that Andrews, my agent, had to split early because I rescheduled the meeting.

One-on-one, I stand a chance. Two-on-one? Not so much.

“They’re not ‘bullshit events.’ You yourself told me that you want as many sponsorship opportunities as possible while you’re based in New York. Has your intention to retire early changed and you haven’t told me?”

“It hasn’t, but I checked out each event. Do I look like the kind of guy who’d want to attend the release of an animated movie?”

“You’re a hockey player. Your demographic is wide—”

I’m grateful when, in the middle of Kara’s diatribe, my cell buzzes.

“Mr. Donnghal, Officer Brownhill here.”

Immediately, I hold out a hand to stall my PR rep. “Officer, great to hear from you. I hope you’re calling with good news.”

“With the footage your detail sent over, we located Ms. Bukowski’s purse—it was tossed in a dumpster. While most of the contents are in disarray, some of her personal effects aren’t damaged.

“Also, we have a suspect in custody. However, Ms. Bukowski isn’t answering her phone—”

“She isn’t?” I glance at the clock.

Gracie should be out of class at this time.

“No—”

“Wait a minute. Let me message her.” Concerned, I put him on speaker then switch apps so I can text her.

Me: Are you okay? Officer Brownhill is trying to call you.

Gracie: Still in my lecture. It’s running late. If you can’t deal with it, tell him I’ll call afterward, please.

Me: Will do.

“She says that if I can’t deal with things, she’ll call you back after her class is finished,” I parrot to the officer.

“That’ll be fine, sir. I’d like to arrange a lineup. Tomorrow at ten?”

Quickly, I look at the agenda Gracie finished for me yesterday because there’s no way in hell she’s handling this on her own.

“I have practice at ten,” I tell him. “Can we hold it earlier?”

“Sure.” I hear the bubble of excitement in his voice that appears because I’ll be attending with her. “Eight?”

“Sounds good to me.” Seeing as he’s making my life easier, I offer, “As a thank you, I can arrange for you to pick up some tickets to this Thursday’s game if you’d like?”

“Officially, I can’t accept—”

“Unofficially?”

“I can collect them from the box office if you’re amenable,” Brownhill says quickly.

“Great. I’ll place them under Ms. Bukowski’s name.”

“I appreciate that. I’ll return whatever of Ms. Bukowski’s belongings aren’t important for evidence to the doorman so she isn’t inconvenienced.”

Aware that he’s stretching the rules on our behalf, my voice softens. “And I appreciate that. Thank you.”

“See you tomorrow at eight, sir.”

With a hum, I cut the call and stare at Kara, whose lips are puckered in disapproval. “Gracie was mugged?”

Me: They found your purse. Brownhill will leave it with the doorman.

Me: There’s a lineup tomorrow.

Gracie: <3

Stroking my thumb over that emoji, I tell Kara, “Yeah. Yesterday. They think they found her mugger though.”

“Is she okay?”

Because Kara is all business, I’m surprised that she cares enough to ask. “She was shaken up, mostly pissed off that they got the drop on her.” I study her. “You should probably know that we’re dating.”

A gleam appears in her eyes. “At least Gracie will be able to convince you to attend the events I spoon-feed you.”

“Always a silver lining,” I grouse.