Page 105 of The Golden Goalie

He gets in her face. “Back off, b—” And then he’s ripped away from both of us.

Aiden’s here. Aiden spins him around and throws his fist into his nose faster than I can blink. “Aiden, stop,” Bri says. She puts her hand on his shoulder. “Just let him go. Call security and let them deal with him.” Aiden’s breathing hard, and I know he’s having a hard time letting him go.

“It’s okay, Aiden,” I add. “He’s not worth it.”

That was the wrong thing to say. Adam throws Aiden off and comes after me. He grabs my arm and wrenches it to the side, causing me to cry out. And then Adam’s hauled away from me, but this time it’s not Aiden. Rico slams him against the car. Adam strains against him, but Rico has him pinned. “You listen very carefully to me. You don’t touch her again. You don’t talk to her. You don’t contact her. Ever. If you want to have contact with the baby, you go through me.”

Adam scoffs. “Like I would ever want that.”

“Then sign papers and give her full custody and then stay out of her life. Forever.” He leans in closer. “And know this. Theonlyreason I’m not beating you right now is because she’s standing here watching and hates fighting. Touch her again, and I won’t be this gracious twice.”

“Thank you, Mr. Garcia. Security can take it from here.”

I turn at the sound of Chloe’s professional voice. Two security guards step up next to Rico. I put my hand on his back, and he steps back, releasing Adam. Adam sneers at me as he walks past, but I put my hand on Rico’s chest so he doesn’t respond. Chloe smiles at him. “Mr. Grey, have we had the pleasure of meeting? I don’t think we have,” she continues before he has a chance to say anything. She takes a step backwards, right into Gunner. She doesn’t even bat an eye and pretends that Gunner’s not right there.

“Who are you?” Adam practically spits.

“Me? Why I’m the woman who’s going to make sure your hockey career is over.” She smiles as she says the words. He spins towards her, but Gunner steps in front of her. She waves at somebody, and I turn to see a police car entering the parking lot with its lights flashing.

“What did you do?” he growls.

“Oh, I just made a call,” she says with a smile that is anything but sweet.

Rico gently turns me to face him. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” His eyes scan me head to toe.

“No, I’m fine.” He pulls me into his arms, making me feel safe and protected. “Thanks for protecting me.”

He kisses my forehead. “Always. You’re mine to protect now, remember?” I smile up at him for a moment and then lay my head on his chest and watch as the police officer talks to Adam while Chloe looks on. Gunner stands just a few feet from her. “She’s scary, but man I really want to be like her when I grow up,” I say softly.

He chuckles. “Yeah, she’s terrifying. Gunner’s going to have his hands full.”

“Are they together?” I ask in surprise.

“Not yet,” he admits.

“Gunner seems to be protective of her,” I point out.

“Yep.”

I shake my head. “Like I said, she’s terrifying. I don’t know if she’ll let him close.”

“He won’t let that stop him,” Rico says.

“No?” I question.

Rico grins down at me. “What can I say? He’s a Green Thunder player, and we always get our girl.”

I laugh. “You guys do have a pretty good streak going.”

He kisses me. “Yeah, we do.”

“I don’t know, though. She could be the one to break this winning streak.” My words couldn’t be more perfectly timed.

Chloe’s voice rises. “Don’t even think about it, Gunner Coftman!” She strides away in those four-inch heels as we stare after her.

“You were saying?” Rico asks with a grin. We both watch as Gunner follows her at a distance, making sure she gets inside the building safely before he turns back and heads to his car. With a wave at us, he climbs inside and drives off. “Yeah,” Rico says easily. “Cap’ll get his girl.”

Chapter 41

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