Aftg react

Part69

"Ugh I can't believe it" muttered Matt embarrassed and horrified for his father's words as Dan patted his shoulder with a bit of sympathy.
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"Neil Josten," a security guard said, "a Stuart Hatford is here to see you."
Neil followed the guard halfway down the inner ring.

They tensed ones they heard that Name, they knew that something like that was coming but they couldn't help it. Stuart was meant to make a deal with the Moriyams so him comingmeant that they were going to see how that went.
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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?"

They had a feeling they knew what Neil meant and they couldn't help and hope for the same as him, even Andrew who doesn't care about revenge let his eyes narrow as he watched.
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"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.

They glanced at Kevin already panicking after knowing who was watching and the deal and silently agreed with Neil.
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Kevin stood calm and quiet until a referee opened the door for them. Before he stepped on Kevin tapped the butt of his racquet against the floor and passed his stick to his other hand. He strode to half-court head high and left-handed, and the crowd went wild.
Neil wasn't the only one who'd forgotten what Kevin was like at his peak. The Ravens had written Kevin off when he broke his hand then learned his right-handed style when they realized they'd be facing him again. Even if they'd known this was coming they wouldn't be ready, because Kevin was no longer afraid of showing Riko up. He exploited his former teammates' weaknesses every chance he got and, without Jean around to overhear, used French to call warnings across the court to Neil. Kevin scored just three minutes into second half, and five minutes later he did it again.

The energy in the room changed to one of fondness and proudness. They were proud of themselves that they managed to actually make it there and they knew that no meter what they were winning the game, they could see it and it was the best adrenaline rush.
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"They're not fast enough," Andrew said.
He had to mean their defense line, so Neil said, "I know."
"Are you tired?" Andrew asked.
It wasn't concern, Neil knew, but that didn't make it a less confusing
question. He hadn't gotten the ball often enough tonight to be tired, but he couldn't say that with Matt standing two feet away from him. "Not yet."
"Then I'm taking my turn. Matt," Andrew said, and Matt turned toward them immediately. Andrew lifted a finger from his racquet to point at Neil. "We're subbing Dan for Neil and Neil for you."
Matt stared. "We're what?"
"You're limping," Andrew returned. Neil hadn't even noticed, too focused on the ball and the Ravens. He shot a startled look down at Matt's feet like he could somehow see the source of Matt's pain. "You're no use to me right now. Get Abby to put a brace on that. Neil can hold them in the meantime."
They'd said all night that speed was the fatal weakness on their defense line. Neil was the fastest player in Class I Exy, but how Andrew thought this was a feasible solution Neil didn't know. Neil wanted to point out every reason this was a bad idea, but he didn't have the right to turn Andrew down.
"I started this game as a backliner, remember?" Neil said to Matt. "The Ravens put me up against Riko when I stayed with them in December. I know how he moves."
"Two weeks of practice don't make you ready to face the best striker in the game."
"Kevin's the best striker," Neil corrected him, "and I don't have to be the best backliner to counter Riko. I just have to be faster than he is. We both know I am. Trust me. I can keep him away from Andrew while you rest."
"Coach will never go for it," Matt said.
"Tell him he has to," Andrew said, like it was that simple.