Page 72 of Ice Wolf
“Yeah. Yeah. I need to clean up my act. Rocco is a jerk, Lily. I know that. We have bad blood, but I just didn’t like what he said about you. Okay? I’ll stay away from him.”
While the man had charisma, he remained determined to bust my balls while destroying his reputation. All the haggling with the larger-than-life man was exhausting. But I could tell by the look in his eyes he was angry with Rocco entirely because of whatever had been said.
“I hope you’re right. I need to get home, Saint.” I backed away, snatching my purse from the edge of the sink. I suddenly realized I was still wearing the garish jersey. His jersey. I dropped the purse again, yanking it off so fast I almost dragged my shirt off as well.
When I tossed it back at him, his face fell. “How come you hate me so much?”
“Why do you think I hate you?”
“When a hockey player gives his jersey away, it’s a big deal. I don’t do it very often. The jersey is special to me. You know? Maybe you wouldn’t know.” He crumpled it in his hand and suddenly, I was the one who felt like a complete jerk.
“I’m sorry, Saint. I didn’t know. I thought it was just…”
“Another grandstanding moment. Yeah, I get it. I’m a big, dumb jock who doesn’t understand the real world.”
“You’re not dumb. Not at all. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. It’s just been a difficult night.”
He nodded a few times. “Let me take you home. Unless you enjoyed being force-fed microphones, that is.” His grin returned, but the hint of pain in his eyes remained. I’d really hurt his feelings.
“How are you going to get us out of here? Won’t they just chase you down? You’re the big star, not me.”
Without asking, he took my hand and backed toward the door. “You’re going to need to trust me. Just this once. I won’t ask again. Come on.”
He led me through a labyrinth of corridors I assumed headed to the back of the arena.
“Good job tonight, Saint,” a man in a uniform called as we passed.
“Thanks, Charlie.” He didn’t stop to chitchat, taking long strides that were difficult to keep up with. He’d tossed his jersey over his shoulder and I had the urge to slip back into the stinky material. Maybe I was suddenly being a little possessive.
“Where are we going?”
“I keep my car around back near the loading dock. It helps in evading the reporters.”
“You have that much of a problem?”
Saint laughed just as we reached an exit door. “You have no idea. Just keep your head down and I’ll get you out of here.” Before he opened it, he stopped short. “You aren’t afraid of speed. Are you?”
“Speed? As in a fast car?”
“Yep.”
I thought about his question. “Not unless you’re a reckless idiot who craves danger and is intent on dying in the process.”
“Good. I’ll take that as you like the rush of adrenaline.” He smashed his hand on the door, leading us outside. I noticed a few vehicles parked in a more clandestine spot. We were only a few yards away from the group when we both heard people shouting. His laugh sent a strange thrill through me. “Come on. Let’s outrun them.”
I had no clue reporters would actually break into a mad dash to try to get to anyone they wanted to interview, but that’s what happened. Men and women seemed to be coming from every direction, bounding toward us like a mob.
My heart thrummed as my pulse kicked into a higher level. He ripped something from his pocket and the lights flashed on one of the cars.
He acted as if he was going to open the passenger door for me.
“Go!” I yelled and broke away from him, rushing toward the door, only once glancing over my shoulder. My God, they were getting closer. This was crazy.
I jumped inside, immediately slamming the door about the time Saint settled in. He took the time to toss me a look before starting the engine. “Put your seatbelt on, Lily. You just might need it.”
He didn’t need to tell me twice. We were almost instantly surrounded, reporters crowding on every side. I was suffocated, gripping the dashboard as the swarm continued.
The fact he revved the engine didn’t seem to have any effect on them. They didn’t bother stepping back. There were microphones everywhere, lights flashing and cameras rolling.
