Chapter 146

Lucas POV

My father's smug expression remained as he released his grip on my hand.

I knew I was the one making a deal with him, but it felt like he had the upper hand here. I didn't like the feeling.

He leaned back in his leather chair, reveling in his so-called victory. He must have expected me to agree to his terms so easily, and I can see that it satisfied him to know that he still would be able to control me in some capacity.

I hated that it had to be this way.

"That's not all," Kendrick continued, the grin never leaving his face.

I watched him cautiously, trying to hide any emotion on my face. What more could he want from me? I should've known this wouldn't be as easy as I thought. There was always a catch when dealing with my father.

By the way he was currently looking at me, I had a feeling it was something significant.

"The will," he said with an air of finality, amplifying the dramatics. "It must be amended to reinstate you as the heir."

"You removed me as heir?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Of course, I did." My father talked, shaking his head. "I told you that I would name your cousin, Edwin, as heir if you didn't obey me. You should know by now that I don't make false promises."

I knew that he'd change my heir status, but why did he want to change it back?

“You also mentioned you didn’t care about the business,” my father continued.

“I lied,” I rushed to say. “Of course, I care about the business and the position. I want to be heir.”

My father’s brows slightly rose, but he said nothing further.

"I want to be the heir again,” I confirmed. “Is there more you want to add to our agreement?"

My father tapped a finger on the table. "Yes, there's more I have to add. Do you object to that? Or do you want Shana to suffer from debt for the rest of her life? She can't pay it off on her own."

My heart sank as he spoke. What more did he want me to do?

I was dreading hearing what his other conditions would be, even though I knew what was coming.

"Hockey," my father stated simply as if he was toying with the word.

He was aware of how much hockey meant to me. Of course, he would use it as a test of my obedience... he's done it before.

I clenched my fists, my knuckles white. "What about hockey?" I asked. "It's over. We won the championship game already."

"Yes, well..." My father moved his next from side to side, cracking it. "I'm certain your ... interest in the sport isn't over, is it? Hockey is nothing but a game, a hobby. It isn't something to make a career out of."

My pulse began to race.

To return to the family business and be back in my father's control meant that I would need to abandon my dreams on the ice... the dreams I had been chasing for years.

My mind flashed back to the championship game where all of the scouts were offering me their cards and phone numbers to join their teams. They all looked at me as if I had the potential to be an excellent player.

Even Hawking University, my dream college, had noticed me and saw something in me. Someone that they wanted to add to their already phenomenal team.

Could I really kiss that dream goodbye? Did I want to?

I had never thought what my life would look like without hockey in it. I'd worked so hard to be noticed by Hawking University, and it had happened.

Giving that away just to please my father made me hesitant.

But Shana meant more to me than anything else. She was the reason I was making this sacrifice.

That meant, if I had to stop playing hockey for whatever reason, I would do it.

This deal between my father and I had turned out to bite me in the ass more than I originally planned, but I couldn't back out now. If I did that, he'd never help me.

The weight of my father's gaze bore down on me. "Lucas, you need to leave that hockey nonsense behind. Choose something worthwhile. Be sensible."

I clenched my teeth, fighting the urge to snap. "Yes, father. I'll... I'll focus my attention on attending business school and not playing hockey if it comes down to it."

"Oh, Lucas," my father laughed again. "It will come down to it. Do you really think you wouldn't get into Hawking University? You're a Busch. That alone will get you in, but it's a good thing you have excellent grades, too."

I couldn't deny that I felt a surge of anger and frustration. He wasn't even aware of how privileged he was. Getting into a prestigious school just from your name alone? Not many people could do that.

"I want you to leave that hockey nonsense behind," he said. "It's only a distraction."

He was playing with my passion for hockey, using it as leverage to get me to do whatever he wanted. And he knew I was at his full mercy because it involved Shana. He knew I would do anything for her.

It seems like he's finally been able to find what my weakness was, and now that he has my attention, he keeps adding to his list.

Get engaged to Victoria, fall back into the family business, quit hockey... what else was there?

"I have one final ask for you," my father declared, assessing me to see how I would respond to his confession.

I sighed deeply, intertwining my hands in my lap to appear calm. "Yes? What is it?"

"How can I trust you?”

“Trust me?” I asked.

“Yes, prove to me that I can believe you.”

I thought for a moment. What could I do to show my father I was serious about this?

An idea came to me, but I didn’t like it. It had to be done, though.

"I’ll move back home so that you can keep a closer eye on me and so I can get involved with the business more. I’ll end my relationship with Shana to avoid alpha families questioning my loyalty and engagement to Victoria.”

I hated every word that came out of my mouth, but this was the only way my father would have trust in me.

Obviously, I wasn’t going to actually break up with Shana. We would just need to keep our relationship a secret from my father.

That wasn’t going to be easy to explain to her…

"Very well,” Kendrick said, not showing any satisfaction. “It's easier for me to keep an eye on you when you're physically here. I've also been conducting more business at home, and it would be good for you to observe the work I've done," my father leaned forward.

All of this was the ultimate test of my commitment to Shana. If I could do this, then I felt like I would be able to do anything.

She wouldn't have a clue, but once her debt was gone then it would all be worth it...

"So, you believe me?” I asked, keeping my voice steady to show my determination.

I didn't want him to find me weak, and his terms weren't incredibly awful. I hoped that I would be able to stick to it all.

“I do.” My father's eyes gleamed with happiness; the satisfaction evident on his face. "Very excellent, boy. I knew you'd see reason eventually. Who knew that all it would take is a girl to help push you in the right direction."

He was visibly delighted, and I couldn't help but feel like I had just walked into a trap.

The odds were stacked against me, and I was cornered, unable to find a way out.

My father discussed the logistics and urged me to move back as soon as possible. Suddenly, the reality of the situation sank in.

It wasn't going to be as simple as me returning home. It meant that I would have to explain this to Shana somehow. She would ask why I had to move back in with my father, Grandma Jo, too.

As my father talked, I couldn't help but wonder how I would break the news to the two most important women in my life.