Chapter 9: Chapter Nine

Cort had managed to shower and change into a decent suit in record time. This suit was a color called ‘stone-blue’, and he hated the thing, but Akira insisted it made him look less like a hired gun. The tie Scott Demyan’s image consultant had gotten him to buy ended up left on the bed. He felt ridiculous enough, all dressed up like this. If he wasn’t standing in front of a judge, he didn’t need a fucking tie.

Oriana had told him not to worry if he was late, but he still felt like shit, stepping into the fancy boardroom almost twenty minutes after everyone else had gotten there. He tried to be quiet, taking Ford’s seat at the far end of the long table to Silver’s right, but he wasn’t a small, graceful man. He managed to knock the empty chair next to his over as he quickly slid into place.

Apologizing, he lifted it, wincing as the damn thing screeched across the floor.

Standing a few feet behind Silver, a woman he’d never seen before shot him a sympathetic look. Keane paused his rundown of ticket sales, giving Cort a stiff smile.

“I assume your presence means Mr. Delgado won’t be joining us?” Keane folded his hands on the table as several board members who represented large investors muttered amongst themselves. “His sisters could have relayed any information necessary, Mr. Nash.”

Jaw hard, Cort met the man’s level gaze. “I’m sure they could have. But Ford was the one who trusted you with control of the team. If that was a mistake, the family who started this team needs to be fully represented.”

By his side, Silver put her hand over his, mouthing ‘Thank you.’

Oriana gave him a nod of approval.

Keane simply inclined his head. “Fair enough, but I assure you, it wasn’t a mistake. Whatever decision I make, it will be the best one for the team.”

“The best thing for the team would be to move it to a bigger city.” One of the investors, a transport mogul named Ridley Hill, flattened his hands on the table and shot a hard glare at Keane. “If you’re not willing to do it, find someone who will.”

“There aren’t enough Canadian teams. I’m not ready to give up.” A woman who rarely came to meetings like this, but who stood in for a property giant that owned condos across the country, spoke up. Cort tried to remember her name…Pauline Newman? Her family had invested a lot in the forum’s renovations. “The community outreach programs are bringing good attention to the team. We need to give it some time.”

“I agree, but my decision isn’t based on the health of the team alone. I called this meeting to assuage any fears that you may have that the rumors mean there will be any sudden changes. As you know, the sale of a team can take quite some time and a change in ownership requires league approval. Those steps have not been taken as of yet, so you may assume business as usual.” Keane surveyed every man and woman around the table. “Business being making the team profitable for this coming season. Projections are not looking good.”

Two hours later, a few raised voices—mostly Silver’s—and Cort had an idea why Ford and his siblings were so stressed. The possible sale of the team was completely out of their control, which had him wondering what Silver and Ford planned to do about it. Oriana was the levelheaded one of the three, he saw nothing but grim resignation from her, but Silver had a look in her eyes he didn’t much like. And whatever lengths she would go to, Ford would go further. The man had been raised to see what was legal and moral as an inconvenience. Sure, he was trying to rise above his upbringing, but old habits died hard.

If Cort was going to keep Ford from playing dirty, he’d have to figure out a clean solution. He hurried to catch up with Oriana as the boardroom cleared out.

“Hey, Cort. Thank you for covering for Ford.” She smiled up at him as she headed toward the elevator. “How is he?”

Cort’s lips curved as he thought back on his brief conversation with Ford. “He’s doing good. He was nervous about spending time with his son, but when he called it sounded like things were going well.”

“That’s good to hear.” She pressed the button to call the elevator and folded her arms over her breasts. She looked professional in her dark grey skirt suit, like a woman who could handle a business like this effortlessly. A shame she wasn’t in charge.

But he knew she preferred working closer with the team, an opportunity she wouldn’t have gotten if she’d remained in management with Ford and Silver. Both could go weeks without seeing the players during work hours, whereas Oriana was with the guys on a daily basis, tending to bumps, bruises, and making sure they were fit to hit the ice.

Which might mean she knew less about how the team was fairing financially, but he doubted it.

“You’re worried about him.” Oriana motioned for him to follow her onto the elevator. “I don’t blame you. Neither Ford nor Silver will take the team being relocated well. Sloan, Max, and I are already discussing what we’ll do when that happens.”

“When…” Cort’s lips thinned. “So you think it will.”

She nodded, her eyes sad. “Within the next few years. Even teams in bigger cities are struggling. The game is changing and there’s no way for us to survive here, as much as I love the city. It was always a risk, establishing a team here, but we’ve had a good run. And most of the players are young enough to build a life somewhere else.”

His brow furrowed as he considered the players who might not be. Like Max. And Dominik. Would they consider the few years they had left worth uprooting their entire lives? Landon was still in his prime, so he would likely go with the team. Which meant Silver would go with him.

Oriana would be torn if her men decided to remain. She could find a job with another team, considering her experience, but that would still mean her leaving Dartmouth.

What would Ford do? Akira had just begun the process of setting up her figure skating school, she couldn’t just walk away. Cort had his shop, which was doing better than he’d ever imagined. He loved the life they’d built here. To him, it had never been about the team.

But to Ford, the team was family. Was the first thing he’d ever had that wasn’t ruled by his father.

Either Kingsley or Delgado.

“Do you think Silver and Ford will accept the inevitable?”

Oriana snickered. “Not a chance. We both know they’ll try something. The question is what?”

He nodded slowly. “I was hoping you’d have an idea of how to save the team before we had to stop them from trying in their own…unique ways.”

The edge of her lip quirked. “I’m flattered, but honestly, I’ve got nothing. And I can’t even warn you of possible disasters, because the way those two think is beyond me. They’ve both got kids now, so hopefully that means there are some limits?”

He arched a brow. “If they think whatever they do will make things better for those kids? Think about it. Amia will either have to move to wherever her father is playing, or not see him for weeks at a time. And Ford needs to prove he can provide for his son. He can’t do that if he loses his job.”

She let out a heavy sigh. “True. Which means the gloves are off. Maybe we should be warning Keane.”

“Fuck him. None of this would be happening if he wasn’t ready to fold on the fucking team.”

“I’m sure he has his reasons.”

“Yeah. Money.” Cort ground his teeth. A few years ago he might have cornered Keane in his fancy office to suggest he reconsider. Likely on Kingsley’s orders.

He wasn’t that man anymore. A shame, because that would be damn easier than trying to figure out what Ford was up to. Cort had always kept things simple. Fear was a useful tool in the lifestyle they’d led. And he’d been good at using it when necessary.

Ford’s methods were more cheat to win. Which could mean anything.

“I wish I knew what to tell you, Cort. You know my brother better than I do. If he didn’t have you, I’d be more worried.” She squeezed his arm as they got off the elevator. “Between you and Akira, he’s in a good place. Just…talk to him about our father. With how things were with Kingsley, I’m not sure how he’ll take having Dad in his life. Or if it’s even the best thing for him.”

“Agreed.” Cort glanced over at her, not liking how casually she was calling the man ‘Dad’ again. “Though I’m not sure Anthony is good for any of you.”

Oriana let out a soft laugh. “You’re not the only one who feels that way. But don’t worry about me. I don’t play the games he does, so he won’t try using me.”

“But he might use Ford.”

Lowering her gaze, Oriana sighed. “I don’t know. I hope he wouldn’t, but the timing of him introducing Ford to his son makes me wonder. Ford needs to get his son out of there as soon as possible. I’m not sure how you and Akira feel about having a child living with you, but it’s obvious Ford wants to be a father. The sooner he can take on the role fully—without Dad’s influence—the better.”

“I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to Akira, but I don’t see her feeling any different than I do. Ford’s son is family. He’s a part of Ford. He belongs with us.” This conversation hadn’t solved the original problem, but maybe Oriana could still help him. “There’s no way I’m calling Asher, but having a lawyer to discuss what Ford’s rights are would be helpful. I know you had an awesome one when you finalized your adoption. Would you mind giving me her number?”

“Not at all. Let me get you her card.” Oriana quickened her pace, stepping into her office and quickly pulling the card out of a folder on the edge of her desk. “I called her the other day. She was able to get both Max and Sloan listed on West’s amended birth certificate, along with mine, as the parents.”

“That’s awesome. I’m so fucking happy for you.” He smiled as she handed him the card. “I notice you’ve been calling him West instead of James.”

She grinned. “You can blame Luke. As soon as he started calling him Westy, it stuck. Sloan wasn’t thrilled, but he agrees West fits. But I reserve the right to use his full name when our little boy gets himself in trouble.”

“As it should be.” Cort tucked the card into his jacket pocket. “Thank you. And hey, if you learn anything, give me a shout.”

“I will. And the same goes for you.”

“You’ve got it, sis.”

Oriana smiled at that, reaching out to give Cort a quick hug. “I’m so happy he has you. Rough edges and all. I wasn’t sure he and Akira would ever get past all their issues, but you brought them together. You got them through the worst already, Cort. This is nothing.”

“I hope you’re right.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, then shifted away awkwardly. Being part of a family like this was still weird sometimes, but he fucking loved it. He considered both Oriana and Silver his sisters, even though he wasn’t married to their brother. Ford would marry Akira once the two finally figured out that eloping in Vegas would suit them both and avoid the insanity of the wedding Silver had. He’d still be part of it. Paperwork or not, they both belonged to him. Which made their family his as well.

And God help anyone who messed with those he considered his.

“I hope so too. Having this conversation with you is much easier than having it with my own men.” She sighed again, leaning her hip against her desk. “Losing the team isn’t going over well with them. I may give you a call and have you come knock some sense into them one day.”

“Just say the word.” Not that she had to. If Max and Sloan were stressing her out, he’d pull them aside for a little chat.

She frowned at him, shaking her finger at him as though he was a naughty child. “No, Cort. Whatever you’re thinking, don’t.”

“Uh huh.” He gave her a slanted smile. “I’m gonna swing by this weekend to see my nephew. Give him a kiss for me.”

“Cort—”

“I really need to get back to work. Take care, sis.”

Oriana let out an exasperated laugh. “You too, big brother. And keep Ford out of trouble.”

“I’ll do my best.”

He made his way to the garage, feeling a little better about the situation, even though nothing had really been solved. Ford had a lot of people looking out for him. He might need a reminder, but Cort had no problem giving him one. He’d been waiting to take Ford and Akira’s lead for when they’d start a family, but now that having a kid was a done deal, he was more than ready.

Which was probably exactly what Ford needed to hear. He wouldn’t be fighting for his son alone.

He’d be fighting for their boy. With Cort at his side, where he’d always been.