Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Despite my motives, I’m serious about my job.
So I spend most of the open skate talking to the team doctor about ways to improve the players’ agility and minimize injury. I also speak to the head physical therapist about the areas of potential muscle strain of each player.
He and the rest of the team check them regularly and often give them sports massages to help loosen their tense muscles. I’m fascinated by the amazing equipment and machines they have access to. But then again, the team is almost on a pro level and is the reigning champion of the college league, so the program makes sure they reach their full potential.
Doesn’t hurt that many players are sickeningly rich, so their families pour endless amounts of money into the team.
Who would’ve thought that the field I chose, medicine with a focus on physical therapy to help with Violet’s constant back pain and bad shoulder, would now be used to benefit the entitled assholes?
One of whom could have attempted to kill her.
By the end of open skate, I’ve got the gist of areas with potential improvement chances. So I head back to the bench area after the managing team leaves.
The players head to the showers, smacking each other, and talking loudly. It’s a chaos of overwhelming testosterone.
There are a few female staff, the most important being the team administrative manager, but they’re mostly in their offices.
As most of the team filters out, Kane skates toward me and stops at the barrier, then removes his helmet and runs a hand through his damp hair. It randomly falls to his forehead, partly camouflaging the iciness in his eyes. Though they’re clearer now, less frozen and more…familiar.
He looks absolutely stunning in his hockey gear with his hair wet, fresh out of open skate. I’m sure I’m not supposed to find him hot or beautiful, but he’s both of those and more.
I blame his depraved sexual tastes.
Because whenever I see him, my mind keeps replaying images from that maze.
Hot, electrifying, and erotic scenes that drive me insane.
Kane leans both his arms on the railing so they’re hanging right in front of me.
“That looked fun.” I clear my husky voice. “The team’s spirit is back, right?”
“Partially.”
“Why only partially?”
He pauses and stares at the gloves in his hand. “Preston ditched open skate.”
“He’s probably ashamed about his poor performance from last night. He’ll come back.”
“He never ditches open skate. Besides, he lacks the ability to feel shame.”
I frown.
Honestly, Preston can choke, but I don’t like that his absence causes strain on the team and Kane. That slimy bastard is one of the Vipers’ indispensable pillars and has constantly been in impressive form.
Except for yesterday.
But, also, I seemed to have underestimated the bond between Kane and Preston.
Possibly Jude as well.
“Have you checked in on him?” I ask.
“I will.” He watches me, his gaze heavy and imploring. “Enough about the team. Tell me, how was your first day?”
“It was fine. I have a lot to work on.”
“Don’t work too much.”
“I’m confused. Didn’t you push me to accept this position so I can work?”
“Not really. It’s so I can keep an eye on you.”
“So I’m here for your entertainment?”
His lips pull in a smile. “If you want to call it that, suit yourself.”
“Wow. You’re not even going to offer excuses?”
“I believe we’re at the point in our relationship where we don’t need to offer those, don’t you think?”
I release an exasperated breath, trying not to think about the part where he said ‘our’ relationship. There’s no relationship.
We’re only using each other.
That’s it.
I’ll make sure that’s all.
“See you tonight at my place.” The vibration of Kane’s low voice drags me from my thoughts.
I draw a circle on my thumb. “Why?”
“Be there, Dahlia.”
“And if I don’t want to?”
“I wasn’t asking.”
“You need to stop doing that, Kane.”
“I’ll send you the code. Let yourself in.” He smiles, pats my hair as if I’m some sort of pet, and then joins his teammates.
What a prick.
Anyway, I pretend to clean up with the team and discretely gather DNA samples, mostly sweaty towels, especially from those I know are Vencor members—namely Jude.
I manage to steal his glove that he changed earlier after it tore due to his inhuman strength.
It’s unfortunate that Preston didn’t make it to practice today, but I’ll eventually add his DNA to my arsenal. Hopefully, I can find a clue within the team’s Vencor members, because infiltrating the actual organization is proving to be next to impossible.
And, hopefully, I won’t lose myself in this world.
And, more importantly, in Kane.
Just the thought of what he’s planning tonight makes me tremble.
Fear and excitement mingle so homogeneously, I can’t distinguish them.
I tell myself I’ll ignore him.
Even as I walk into his trap with my own two feet.
21
KANE
Iwait in the shadows.
I’m used to the shadows.
The shadows have been my friends since the systematic destruction of my childhood.