Jack Trent has always protected what matters most, yet the joint contract with Reid Vickers creates a closeness that exposes every hidden need on the rink. The lean forward masks his craving for belonging behind fierce loyalty, but Reid's dominance makes denial impossible.

Every practice ends with Reid closer than a teammate should be, and Jack stops moving away. Reid wants to claim him in the most permanent way, breeding a mark that no one can trade away, and Jack's body aches to accept it despite the risk to their careers. The penalty box pulled honesty out of them once already, but this carries a heavier price.

The rival executive is pushing to split them at the deadline, and Jack cannot tell whether the exposure or the security frightens him more. Reid says the mark goes on before that deadline passes.