Enemy Zone

  Enforcers MM Romance

  Heather Leighson

  HL Books Co

  Copyright © 2026 by Heather Leighson

  Published by HL Books Co

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner including but not limited to being stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by electronic means, recordings, or other versions, without prior written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. No part of this book may be used by AI including training purposes without the author's permission.

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this story are from the author’s imagination. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

  Cover design by R.L. Covers Designs

  Cover Photography by Fotografie

  Edited by Brandi @ My Notes In the Margin

  Proofreading by Karen Meeus Editing

  Contents

  Dedication

  About This Book

  Guide Enforcers Organization

  Dear Readers,

  1. Chapter 1

  2. Chapter 2

  3. Chapter 3

  4. Chapter 4

  5. Chapter 5

  6. Chapter 6

  7. Chapter 7

  8. Chapter 8

  9. Chapter 9

  10. Chapter 10

  11. Chapter 11

  12. Chapter 12

  13. Chapter 13

  14. Chapter 14

  15. Chapter 15

  16. Chapter 16

  17. Chapter 17

  18. Chapter 18

  19. Chapter 19

  20. Chapter 20

  21. Chapter 21

  22. Chapter 22

  23. Chapter 23

  24. Chapter 24

  25. Chapter 25

  26. Chapter 26

  27. Chapter 27

  28. Chapter 28

  29. Chapter 29

  30. Chapter 30

  31. Chapter 31

  32. Chapter 32

  33. Chapter 33

  34. Chapter 34

  35. Chapter 35

  36. Chapter 36

  37. Chapter 37

  38. Chapter 38

  39. Chapter 39

  40. Epilogue

  About the author

  Books by Heather Leighson

  Acknowledgements

  To everyone who has been lied to, deceived, and heartbroken:

  I hope you find the person who restores your faith in love.

  About This Book

  Enemies to teammates—with one shot at love

  Jamal King

  My life is almost perfect. I’m out, comfortable with who I am, and focused on hockey. Sure, I don’t have love—but it’s too complicated.

  Then Theo O’Keefe gets traded to my team. My stepbrother, who I only met once, hates me. And he’s the one who stole my life.

  But when he steps up to defend me when no one else does, my world turns sideways.

  Getting to know Theo only confuses me more. We can't... I can't... let things go further because I’m not participating in my own destruction.

  A scandal will ruin both of us.

  Theo O’Keefe

  Joining the Enforcers should be a fresh start. They should be thrilled to have me—assuming Jamal hasn’t already poisoned them.

  My stepbro talks about the importance of family, but he's made my life a living hell.

  Still, Jamal isn’t the monster his bio-father described.

  No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop antagonizing him and digging for honesty.

  And the truth I’m afraid to admit?

  Maybe I’m the villain in this story.

  Because we were never meant for each other.

  And Jamal will never feel the way I do.

  Enemy Zone is book four in the Enforcers MM Hockey series. Read if you love enemies to lovers, stepbrothers, rivals, hurt/comfort, a slow burn, and no breakup.

  Trigger warnings: Past childhood abuse talked about in general terms with visible scars, past abuse assumed, terrible and absentee parents, defense mechanisms lead to bad behavior, mental health rep with anxiety and panic, racial tension, and implied homophobia.

  Guide Enforcers Organization

  Guide To Enforcers Organization

  Ari Dimon - GM

  Jayce McKenna - Director of Player Development

  Finn - PR Director

  Coach - Head Coach

  Enforcers Team Roster

  Season 1

  Name jersey#-position-country-nickname

  Patrik Liska #30-Starting Goalie-Czech Republic-Foxy

  Lars Drakenberg #23-First line Center-Sweden-Drake or The Dragon

  Dylon Felix #7-First line Right Wing-United States-Lucky

  Caleb Benz #47-Backup Goalie-United States-Baby Benz

  Austin Lapointe #8-First line Left Wing-United States-Ace

  Jamal King #5-Second line Left Wing-United States-Rookie

  Mason Griffin #21-Second line Right Wing-Canada-Griff

  Chad Richardson #66-Third line Center-United States-Not worthy of name

  Kenney #18- Defender- United States- trade

  Season 2

  Rhys Brant #59-Scoring Defender-United States

  Maverick #71-Second line Center-United States-Mav

  Partners

  Patrik and Trevor – Truth Zone Prequel

  Lars and Dylon –Misconduct Zone

  Caleb and Leo – Penalty Zone

  Austin (Ace) and Grayson - Scoring Zone

  Jamal and Theo – Enemy Zone

  Maverick and Skylar – Dirty Zone

  Crossover from Unframed Art Series

  Shane Reynolds is cousin to Trevor Fox – Shane and Cole MCs of The Truth of Loving You Bk 1

  Von Blixt childhood friend of Lars Drakenberg – Von and Alec are MCs of The Truth of Our Past Bk 2

  Jayce McKenna is the Enforcers Director of Player Development – Jayce, Emmet & Madyson are MCs of The Truth of Our Secrets Bk 3

  Dear Readers,

  THANK YOU! I’m so grateful you’re choosing my book out of the thousands available. I understand the time and commitment required to read and review a book.

  If you notice any errors, please email me and let me know! Heather@heatherleighsonwrites.com Although my books go through several rounds of edits, those darn errors have super evasion powers.

  That being said, since Jamal is biracial, I used AAVE (African American Vernacular English) for Jamal’s thoughts and speech. I’ve had many conversations back and forth with my BIPOC sensitivity reader. But we’re only two points of view, so if you feel something hits the wrong way, I’m hoping you’ll reach out to me. My intention is to bring more positive representation and avoid accidentally doing harm.

  I appreciate each and every one of you and hope you enjoy this book. Thanks again!

  Chapter 1

  Jamal King

  No lie, the stomach flip-flops are heavier than the first time I stepped into the practice facility. Then it was unknown nerves, but now he’ll be here. The man who, despite having every single privilege life has to offer, has made me his enemy.

  Theo O’Keefe.

  I had to get my mind right for dealing with him, so I watched tons of his tapes. It turns out he’s not a dirty player. He saves all his vengeance and worst hits for me.

  Me. The one who was done bad.

  “King.” Ace, our team captain, pulls me out of my head and greets me with a smile and a fist bump. He isn’t a hugger, and I appreciate that.

  “You’re skating today?” I ask, surveying his locker with all his gear.

  “You don’t have to,” he assures me. “But I need to skate after my vacation.” He’s tan, sporting a wide grin along with his cheerful blue eyes. After his concussion a few months ago, he needed a break.

  I nod and throw my wallet and keys into my locker. I’m already dressed in workout gear.

  The locker room’s pungent smell is a firm reminder that not everything will change. I hate that I understand why Ace asked me to come to the new-player practice today. Because of him. Ace wants to ensure we won’t be a problem for the team. Of course, he’s too diplomatic to say that.

  To prepare for O’Keefe, I’ve done breathing exercises and stretches to calm my parasympathetic nervous system. My team deserves my best, and I will keep my shit tight.

  “Are we ready for some hockey!?” Benz bounds into the locker room with all his golden retriever energy. He’s my exact opposite. His face expresses his every emotion, and his mouth does not stop moving.

  I’ve got nothing but love for the man, but he can be exhausting.

  “Kingy, King, King!” Benz sings and rushes at me with open arms and no regard for my personal space, his round cherub face pink with excitement.

  I thump his back and pull away.

  “You missed me, didn’t you?” He keeps an arm around me.

  “Bet.” Knowing he’ll move on in a minute, I don’t step out of his embrace.

  “Ace! You’re back.” Benz careens into Ace, lifting him off the floor in a hug.

  Ace chuckles. “It shouldn’t be a surprise since I asked you here.”

  “Wait!” Benz shouts, covers his eyes, and flaps a hand in Ace’s direction. “Is that what I think
it is on your finger?”

  A black band inlaid with diamonds twinkles on his ring finger in the bright lights.

  Theo O’Keefe leans on the doorframe, listening and watching. My muscles tense, but I’m the only one who notices him.

  Benz jumps on Ace. “Congratulations!”

  “Gray and I want to tell everyone together. Can you keep our secret for a few days?”

  Benz switches into serious goalie mode. “You can count on me, captain.”

  “It sounds so festive in here,” O’Keefe says with condescension. “I thought you’d be seriously somber after losing to Boston in the playoffs last year.” Only O’Keefe would rub our noses in the loss to his old team while introducing himself.

  He saunters in like this is his locker room. His chiseled jaw and prominent cheekbones give him a haughty air that fits his personality to a T.

  He’s objectively good-looking if you like a blond, green-eyed, stick-up-your-ass type of man. Which I do not.

  Ace’s jaw ticks, but he extends his hand. “Welcome to the Enforcers, O’Keefe. We can’t be all bad since you came here.”

  O’Keefe takes his hand and shrugs. “I follow the money.” His voice drips with arrogance, implying the Enforcers wanted him enough to pay him top dollar.

  I don’t know the amount of his contract, but he ain’t shit for his comment. He’s going to test my last nerve this season. We’re less than five minutes in, and he’s insulted the team.

  My team.

  Maybe I need to ask Benzy for some of his calming crystals. He’s always spouting off about their healing properties. I could use a hit of serenity in rock form.

  O’Keefe saunters by me with a nod and does a lap, checking out everyone’s lockers.

  “How are lockers assigned here?” he asks.

  Ace tilts his head as if he’s trying to figure out O’Keefe. “Is there a problem with your locker?”

  He holds up his hands. “Nah, man, just wondering about the pecking order.”

  “Ace is the best captain,” Benz chimes in. “You’ll love it here.”

  If Benz can’t befriend O’Keefe, there’s no hope for the rest of us. I thought Ace would ask the veterans to meet the new players, but Benz is a strategic choice to make them feel welcome.

  O’Keefe pulls a face behind Benz’s back that sets my teeth on edge. I will my fingers to unclench and shake them.

  Ace’s phone goes off, and his face falls when he checks it. “There was a mix-up with the start time today. It’s the four of us for now.” He turns to O’Keefe. “Your choice—the weight room or the ice?”

  “The ice, baby. Always the ice.”

  “I’ll meet you out there.” I hadn’t planned to skate, so I search for the equipment manager.

  He apologizes for not having my gear ready.

  “It’s all good. I specifically said I wouldn’t need it. My bad.” He has one of the most thankless jobs in the NHL. He keeps track of all our shit and organizes it. A hockey player’s gear smells gross on a good day, and we’re not known for neatness.

  Fortunately, no one on the first two lines retired, and we only had one major injury, meaning most of our players came back.

  With only three new players and three active team members on the ice, it would’ve been difficult to avoid O’Keefe, but it’ll be impossible now with the four of us.

  Benz is fully dressed when I get back. Since goalies wear more equipment, I’m impressed.

  “I’ll wait for you.” He glances at the door.

  “Go ahead,” I say. When he hesitates, I add, “I’ll only be a few minutes.”

  His round eyes sweep the locker room. “You okay with this? I promised Leo I wouldn’t stick my nose where it doesn’t belong,” he says, lowering his voice to imitate his boyfriend. Leo was our goalie coach last year and Benz’s best friend’s dad. Now he volunteers his time unofficially because he’s Benz’s boyfriend. “But this is some crazy shit, right?”

  “Yeah. I knew it was a possibility before the announcement, but I didn’t think it’d happen,” I admit. I don’t say I’m the dumbass who told our GM, Ari Dimon, it wouldn’t be a problem.

  “At least you weren’t blindsided.”

  “Thanks for your texts.” He’d sent me messages after the announcement that we picked up O’Keefe in free agency. I raise my hand to fist-bump him, but he rocks me in an awkward goalie hug.

  “See ya in a few.” After he leaves, I let out a slow breath.

  My body’s buzzing, and skating will help release my tension. I refuse to let O’Keefe get the best of my anxiety. I won’t stay stuck in his game.

  The problem: I’m not sure what his game is.

  He didn’t need to come here.

  So why the hell did he?

  Chapter 2

  Theo O'Keefe

  Hockey is the only thing I’m good at. No, I’m fucking great at it. They’re lucky to have me. My only fear is that my dear stepbrother poisoned the team against me. He uses the press to act innocent, but behind closed doors, he’s said vile things about me. Things I wouldn’t want said about my worst enemy. Which is him.

  There’s a slight chance I came on too strong about their playoff loss last year. But the reactions were tame. If I’d said that in Boston, the captain would’ve lost his shit.

  Ace took it in stride, but I don’t trust it. He’s been around long enough to fake welcoming me to the team.

  Benz can’t be for real. He won’t shut the fuck up. No way a grown man believes in universal energy or crystals. But he’s a goalie, so who knows.

  The overhead lights hum. Being in the rink quiets the fear that coming to the Enforcers was a disastrous mistake. The Zamboni finishes its last pass, so the ice is pristine, smooth, and fast.

  “Nice of you to join us,” I joke as King enters the ice. “How about some two-on-two?”

  “Let me warm up,” King says as if I’m forcing him to play.

  “Sure.” I’ll kill him with kindness. For my entire life, I’ve heard that he’s better than me, but it doesn’t make it true. Shame we won’t compete head-to-head again now that we’re on the same team.

  King’s intricate braids extend a few inches past his helmet. His hair mesmerized me when we were seven. I’d never met anyone like him, with rich medium-brown skin and light aqua eyes. Stupidly, I thought we’d be brothers and friends.

  He hated me on sight, and the only contact we’ve had is on the ice. But I’m not the naive kid I was. Just because his father married my mother doesn’t make us family.

  With the move from Boston to New York, I accidentally made life better for my fucktwat of a stepfather. Now he can watch us together, falling over his son with praise and ripping into all my mistakes. At least I won’t have to hear about how his son’s team has a better record.

  “There he is”—Rhys Brant slides out onto the ice—“my internet boyfriend. Sorry I’m late.” He skates right up to King, and irrational anger flashes over me.

  “Hey, man.” King clasps his hand and gives him a one-arm hug. “Welcome to the Enforcers.”

  “That’s my line,” Ace says, and also gives Brant a bro hug.

  I clock the warm welcome he receives compared to mine. Brant asked for his trade from the other New York team, the Nationals. If the internet is to be believed, Brant witnessed a fight where Ace was present and his boyfriend got sued. The details were sketchy since the accusing little prick pointed his finger at Ace but then changed his story.

  Not my business, but King and Brant have a social media thing going on.

  It fucked me up seeing King out himself on Pride Night last season. But I’m over that. He had the audacity to accuse me of being homophobic after everything he’s said about me. Pansy-ass snowflake. I figure he’s pretending to be an ally and not really a member of the LGBTQ community.

  Against my better judgment, part of me held out a fraction of hope that we’d make amends. Even after he threw me against the wall with his forearm to my throat after their playoff loss to Boston. Hope is for suckers, but I can’t help wondering what I ever did to him.