Page 89 of Shots & Echoes

My pulse quickened, adrenaline surging through my veins as I watched them. It was primal, instinctual. This wasn’t about logic or professionalism—it was raw and visceral. Something inside me snapped as I felt the heat rising in my chest.

Predatory.

Territorial.

Mine.

Before I could even think through the consequences, I pushed off the boards and stormed toward them, muscles coiled and ready to strike. The rink blurred around me; all I could focuson was that hand resting on her shoulder like he had any right to claim her.

I felt alive with rage and something else—something intoxicating—and there was no turning back now.

Chris noticed me first. His easy smile faltered, and I saw it—the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

Good.

I stopped just beside them, the tension thick enough to strangle. Iris went still, the roll of tape slipping from her fingers onto the bench.

“Evans,” I said, my voice even, but edged with something darker. Something lethal.

Chris straightened slightly, shifting his weight like he was ready to hold his ground. Like he thought he had a chance.

“We were just talking about dinner,” he said smoothly, but there was something forced behind it now.

My eyes didn’t leave hers.

I didn’t give a fuck about whatever excuse he was trying to make.

I wasn’t asking.

“I need you in my office,” I told her, low and firm.

A command.

A goddamn need.

Her lips parted slightly, breath catching, but she didn’t argue. She knew better than to push back right now.

Chris, however, had to make it difficult.

“She’s got plans,” he said, casual but pointed. “You can’t keep her here all night, Coach.”

I turned my head slowly, finally letting my gaze settle on him.

Wrong fucking move, Langley.

“That so?” I murmured, my tone deceptively calm.

Chris held his ground, but I saw the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers twitched at his sides. He wasn’t stupid. He knew exactly what was happening here.

I didn’t look at him again.

Instead, I stepped past him, close enough that he had no choice but to shift back, then reached down and grabbed the roll of tape from the bench.

I held it out to Iris.

She took it, but her fingers brushed mine, and that one second of contact sent a sharp bolt of electricity up my spine.

She felt it too.

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