Page 25 of Blood on Ice

He would just tell me to back off, and I wasn’t going to.

He’s your brother. You’ve always told him everything.

I’m not ready to talk about Zeke.

He already knows you’re obsessed with him. You know Devil and Angelo told him all about it.

Everyone in this fucking family tells everyone’s business. Sometimes it would be nice to just be on my own without everyone looking over my shoulder.

Zeke hadn’t seen me yet. I enjoyed watching him when he didn’t know I was there. His focus was so intense. He threw himself fully into what he did, just like when he’d jerked off, and I was sure he’d be the same way in bed with me. I was going to love trying everything we could think of to do to each other.

Finally, as he skated off the ice for a water break, Zeke noticed me. He scowled and turned away quickly. This time, he looked angry rather than afraid, despite learning who I really was. He had to know on some level that I wasn’t going to hurt him. I was here to protect him. He’d opened up to me, let me know his secrets. I was sure the team had no idea how much trouble he was in.

I already had people investigating the situation in Vegas. No way in hell was I going to let any assholes from there get their hands on him. What was the chance Pops wouldn’t catch wind of my investigation? My brother had tried to outmaneuver him a fewmonths ago, but Pops had been on top of it the entire time. Did I really think I was any better at keeping secrets?

I had learned a few things from Val. I wasn’t using anyone special or anyone connected with the family for the investigation. Only friends of friends, and they were looking quietly.

Maybe I’d get away with it.

I smiled at Zeke, and he turned away.

He played beautifully the rest of practice except for one play where he looked right at me and sent the puck flying off wildly. I loved the effect I had on him, but I couldn’t keep this game between us going too much longer or he would get in trouble with his coach. I wanted him off guard around me, but I wasn’t going to interfere with his career. He’d worked damn hard to get to the NHL. Sure, he’d made some fuckups along the way, who of us hadn’t? He deserved to be a star.

After practice ended, he wouldn’t look my way. He hurried toward the locker room, but I had no intention of letting him get away. We needed to have another talk. He was going to take my family’s money and clear his debt. We’d work out whatever terms he needed, but I wouldn’t let him remain in danger.

I wove through the crowd to the hallway where the team was slowly making their way to the locker room. “Zeke!”

He glanced my way, eyes wide. “You can’t be back here.”

“Come talk to me.”

One of the guys on the team whistled, and I gave him a glare that silenced him immediately. He might be a big, strong hockeyplayer, but when I let my scary side show, only fools kept pushing me.

Another guy, Johnson, slapped Zeke on the back and pointed toward me.

Zeke shook his head and kept on walking. I wasn’t going to chase him. “Zeke. I said I need to speak to you.”

“Sir, you aren’t allowed back here.” Great. Now security was annoying me.

I smiled at the man who was rushing toward me and held up a hand. “I only need a moment.”

“This area is for team members only.”

“And I’m happy to leave once I’ve spoken to Mr. Balogh.”

Another guard joined us, and several players stopped to stare, but Zeke kept walking. I scowled as he disappeared into the locker room.

“He doesn’t want to speak with you, sir,” the security guard said. “You need to leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

The man placed his hand on my shoulder and all my rage at not being able to get to Zeke rushed through me. I laid the guy out with a punch to the jaw.

As soon as my fist connected, I knew I’d fucked up. There wouldn’t be any keeping this from Val or Pops now.

The other guard grabbed my arms, pulling them behind me. I could have fought him off easily, but it was time to give in. I didn’t need to make this scandal any worse for the family, nomatter how angry I was. I would track down Zeke, and he would talk to me.

After a humiliating ride to the police station, I was allowed to call Val to come get me. He didn’t ask questions other than what I’d done to land myself in jail. I found his silence worse than if he’d chewed me out. He told me he’d call our lawyers, and the charges would be dropped.

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