Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 145402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 582(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 582(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
Four of Dan's sisters had made it. They wore white sundresses they'd altered so three spelled out FOX. The fourth sported a fox paw that was already starting to lose a toe pad. They practically crushed Dan, smothering her with a group hug before fawning over her. They were just as quick to hug Allison, and the familiarity in their easy smiles said they'd met her at least once before.
Stephanie Walker had the next seat, and she held on to Renee forever. Matt's parents had the seats next to her. His mother's braid was dyed orange and she'd come in equally bright overalls. Matt had talked about his mother often enough that Neil knew how much Matt adored her. Somehow he was still surprised at how blatantly that love was returned. There was a fierce pride in Randy Boyd's grin that reminded Neil of Dan, and she toyed with the spikes he'd gelled his hair into. Matt's father was a little more reserved but smiled as he clapped Matt's shoulder in greeting. The woman he'd brought as his guest looked barely older than Matt was, and neither she nor Matt acknowledged each other.
Betsy Dobson was the last to walk in. Andrew hadn't saved a ticket for her, so Neil assumed Wymack and Abby had invited her. Andrew didn't seem at all surprised to see her but went to her as soon as she was settled. She smiled at his approach and gestured around her. Neil couldn't hear her over the crowd but assumed she was making her usual redundant observations. Neil looked away before she caught his eye and turned his attention back on the crowd.
"You two could at least say hello," Wymack said, somewhat aggrieved.
"There's no point," Kevin said. "All they are is a distraction."
"It's called a support network. Look it up."
"Thea is watching from South tonight," Kevin said, looking to the elevated VIP box. It was too far away and too high up for Neil to make out any faces, but there was a small crowd gathered at the windowed walls already. Knowing the Court was here to watch them play sent a chill through Neil's veins. Kevin dragged his stare back to Wymack's face and said, "and my father comes to all of my games. That is enough."
On Wymack's other side, Abby's gaze softened. Wymack's jaw worked for a moment before he could say in an even tone, "Your mother would be proud of you."
"Not just of me," Kevin said in a rare bout of humanity.
It was getting too personal, or maybe that sharp spike of discomfort in Neil's chest was a fit of loneliness and loss. Neil left them to each other and went to join his teammates. Erik's handshake was firm and his smile wide. Neil mixed the sisters up almost immediately after their cheery introductions. Stephanie's patient smile was as unnerving as Renee's peaceful demeanor had once been, and Neil was sure Randy popped a couple vital organs with how hard she hugged him. Matt's father skipped a simple "hello" to tell Neil about a plastic surgeon he knew, if Neil wanted someone to clean up his face a bit.
"Dad," Matt said, horrified. "The fuck?"
"Neil Josten," a security guard said, "a Stuart Hatford is here to see you."
Neil followed the guard halfway down the inner ring. A wall separated the inner ring from the stands, and Stuart waited on the other side of it with his arms folded along the top. He dismissed the guard with a simple nod and turned a considering look on his long-lost nephew.
"I'd have thought you'd be back in England by now," Neil said.
"I've been going back and forth," Stuart said. "I would have come for you sooner, but he told us not to interfere until he made a decision." Neil didn't have to ask who Stuart meant by "he". Stuart waited for Neil's nod before continuing. "Your father's death left a void that's not easy to fill. Little boss is cleaning house and cutting losses everywhere he can, taking out people from California to South Carolina. Cops, doctors, moles—doesn't matter. If there's even a chance they're a liability to his new rule they're gone. Interesting stuff, the reshaping of an empire. Bloody, too."
"There were people in South Carolina?" Neil asked. As soon as he said it his heart skipped a beat. "Wait, doctors? Medical doctors or shrinks? Do you have names?"
"I stay out of the specifics unless they pertain to me," Stuart said. "Someone in particular you're looking for?"
"A psychiatrist in Columbia, Proust. Worked at Easthaven, let himself be bought out and used by the wrong brother. I told—the little boss," Neil said after a moment's hesitation, "about him."
"I'll look into it," Stuart said. He sent a casual look around and said, "You know they're still watching you, right? They're waiting for you to slip up, waiting to see if someone's stupid enough to take a bite. Bait and a mole in one. Be smart, would you? You bought into this, which means I can't protect you if things go sideways again."
"I'll be careful," Neil said. "Thank you."
"Chin up," Stuart said, straightening. "Eyes forward. Little boss is here tonight. Don't make him regret investing in you."
Neil wasn't stupid enough to look at the eastern tower. He just nodded and watched Stuart disappear into the crowd. He jogged back to Wymack and decided it best not to tell Kevin who was in attendance tonight. Wymack gave his team another minute to socialize, then herded them into the locker room. They changed out as quickly as they could, moods restored by their guests' enthusiasm, and ran laps in the inner ring until the Ravens showed up.
Neil thought the crowd was loud before, but the welcome they gave their home team had his ears ringing. The Foxes pulled back to the locker room to stretch and save their eardrums. They took their time putting the rest of the gear on and met up again in the main room. Wymack gave them a minute to breathe before sending them to the inner ring once more. Tonight's referees were split up between Home and Away and were waiting by the court doors to let the teams on. The Ravens were an endless stream of black as they entered from the far side, and Neil tried not to stare. Warm-ups had never felt so short; one minute Neil was taking his place and the next they were being recalled for pregame introductions.