RISKY PLAY (RED CARD #1) BY RACHEL VAN DYKEN Page 0,62

you’ve built an empire by reading people and being business savvy, but this guy is a fucking idiot. He’s playing you. I’m going to just go out on a limb and assume he wants you in his pocket because he wants deep pockets and power. But he announced to an entire restaurant, and with media present, that your daughter spread her legs for me, then accused her of sleeping with another player—which was completely untrue. It may not seem like a big deal to you. People say horrible things—but when it’s said about someone like Mack, someone so pure and beautiful, and clever, and . . .” Mack’s eyes filled with tears. “So fucking strong . . . well, that’s not right. The fact that you didn’t fire his ass the day he walked out on her isn’t just alarming—it’s abhorrent. And the fact that you didn’t stand by your daughter the minute she came to you for support—that’s inconceivable.”

Her mother’s jaw dropped.

And then her father stood, turned, and looked at Alton, really looked at him as Alton opened his mouth to speak.

“Don’t.” He held up his hand and then looked back at me for a crazy minute like he was deciding if he liked me or not. Without looking back at Alton he said, “Pack your bags.”

“You can’t be serious!” Alton roared. He glared at Mack. “You bitch!”

I was out of my seat before Mack could stop me.

Thankfully, her father grabbed me before I could launch myself against Alton’s face.

“It’s not worth it, son.”

His strong hands held me back, calming me.

And mentally crumpled like the sad human I was.

Son.

Son.

Son.

Memories flashed.

I squeezed my eyes shut against them.

And then shook my head as Alton kept hurling insults at me, her family, Mack . . .

“. . . wrongful termination!” he roared. “I’ll sue you. I’ll sue all of you!”

Her father made a motion with his hands and two security guards came over to our table and grabbed Alton by the arms.

“Don’t fucking touch me!” he snarled. “You think I stayed with her because I loved her? It was the easiest way to the top!” An evil smile crossed his face. “So innocent and stupid.” He jerked away from one of the security guys. “I wasn’t saving shit for you—I was just too busy fucking someone else.”

Her father threw the punch this time.

While Mack covered her mouth with her hands.

Her mother started chugging her champagne with wide eyes.

Alton arched backward and went sailing to the floor.

“It’s really been such a rough week for that guy.” I grabbed the bottle of wine in the middle of the table and handed it to Mack. “Just an idea, but if you thrash this over his head, nobody’s going to judge you.” I nodded encouragingly.

She took the bottle with tear-filled eyes and then gave me a watery smile. “I was thinking more along the lines of ripping out his only remaining testicle.”

Alton was carried out.

Ice was brought for Mack’s dad’s hand.

Not the strangest dinner I’d ever been a part of, but a close second.

“So, son.” Her dad looked at me earnestly. “I owe you an apology.”

“Let me take your daughter on a date and we’re even.”

He cracked a smile. “Like I could stop you.”

I just shrugged.

“Alright, Mack . . . stay out of the tabloids this time.”

I winced. “We’ll try . . .”

“You?” He pointed at me.

I nodded. “Yeah, unfortunately.”

“Just how famous of a soccer player are you?”

The table fell silent and then Mack squeezed my hand and kissed the back of it. “Dad, he’s the best in the world.”

Chapter Forty-One

SLADE

“So that wasn’t awkward or weird at all. Sorry about all the hugging, my dad’s a hugger.” She sighed as we walked into the stadium.

I’d told her I had dessert planned for us.

Her eyes had lit up like the dessert was going to be of a physical variety, so when we came to the stadium I knew she was curious about what I had planned.

“I didn’t mind,” I said honestly, and I didn’t. Hugging was intimate—my dad had been a hugger, it reminded me of him. “I can’t believe he asked me to go golfing with him.” I hoped to God Alton somehow crashed our bonding time and I could beat him with my wood.

Mack grinned up at me. “Do you even know how to golf?”

“Please.” I snorted. “I can handle all balls, even my own, big shock. I know, let it sink in for a minute.”

She slapped me playfully on the chest. I caught her