Page 56 of The Penalty

I’m about to drive him back into the boards when he chirps at Beau. “Look, your sister showed up. Guess she couldn’t resist the offer of my dick tonight. Don’t worry. I won’t give her my jersey. She’s okay but not hot enough to wear mine. Plus, everyone has seen her tits now. I know I’ve got a pic saved on my phone.”

The rage I shoved down earlier comes roaring back and my skates clear the ice as I make a run at him. My entire body is trembling, limbs numb, all reasonable thought long gone from my brain. All I can think about is how hard I’m going to take that fucker down.

“Lucy, stop!” Beau’s warning comes way too late. And I don’t think I’d have listened to it even if it was in time.

There’s a thump, and pain spikes down my arm as my body hurtles through the air, slamming into him with a crunch.

We hit the ice, and he gets an extra slam when I land on top of him. At least he broke my fall, but now there’s chaos all around us.

I’m flying back as someone yanks me off him before I can get a punch in. I want to pound his face in until it’s unrecognizable.

I’m still struggling against the hold on my arms even as I’m dragged away.

The ref calls it a major and I’m sent to the penalty box, but it takes three of our guys to drag me off the ice. I’m not even sure who takes me. My vision is so blurred by my anger.

“What the fuck, man? Thanks for defending my sister’s honor and all, but now we’re fucked.”

I blow out a breath. “Sorry.” Even as I say it, I know it’s not true. I would pound that asshole into the ice again if he said anything about Cece. He was probably lying. She’s probably not even here.

But I look up toward the friends and family section, and my heart skips a few beats when I spot her. She is wearing a jersey. I’m sure it’s not mine, and that chafes, but the horrified look on her face cuts deep. I don’t want her to look at me like that.

The audience is going crazy. Some of them are riled up and pounding the floor, some of them are booing now that the away team has the advantage of a five-minute power play.

It’s painful to watch the next five minutes from the box. Boston scores two more goals before I’m out, and then Coach immediately pulls me.

“The fuck was that all about, Connell?” He gets in my face. “All I asked was for you guys to play a clean game, and you had to go out there and play the worst you have all year.”

“That asshole was playing dirty the entire game, and then he was talking shit about Beau’s sister. Family is off limits, Coach.”

“You know better than that. He was talking trash to get you riled up and gain an advantage. They know we’re better than them. Not that anyone could tell from that travesty. And you fell right into his trap. She’s not even your sister. I appreciate loyalty but not at the expense of the team.”

Now that the adrenaline has worn off, I’m shaky, cold, and tired. I lift a hand to swipe my hair away before I nod. “I’m sorry.”

I am, but only because I cost us the game. Not for what I did to him. It’s not like I actually started a fight. That would have been an immediate DQ.

“Get out of here. I’m not even going to make you suffer. I’m sure your team will take care of that for me, and the fans as well.”

Right. I don’t even bother to shower. Ripping my equipment off to change clothes, and slamming my locker shut on the way out. No way I’m waiting for Beau. That’s an uncomfortable conversation I’m not ready for. I’ll head home, grab a hot shower and hide out in my room until this blows over.

Except, when I storm out the back door, there’s someone waiting for me.

Chapter 19

Fallout Shelter

Cece

“Dev?” I keep mytone soft, afraid to spook him. He doesn’t look angry anymore. Just defeated and sad. “What happened?”

He shakes his head. “You really don’t want to know.”

My back snaps up into defensive mode. I don’t appreciate being told what I want and don’t want. “Yes, I do. I’ve never seen you like that on the ice. It was terrifying.” My hands are clenched at my sides to hide the slight tremble, and my heart still hasn’t quite settled from the fear. I don’t want him to think I’m scared of him, though. He looks upset enough as it is.

“I can’t.” He shakes his head.

“Tell me. It might help. Beau looked more riled up than usual too, so it must have been bad.”

“Oh, fuck. It was.” He shifts on his feet, staring at his toes. “He was talking trash about you.”

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