Page 214 of Sin Bin

“Look, I already bared my soul to you guys over lunch yesterday. Whatever emotions I haven’t worked through will get worked out on the ice tomorrow. If someone’s face happens to get in the way, all the better,” he quipped, half joking but half serious.

Hunter frowned. “So you’re going into our first playoff game expecting to drop the gloves. Is that it?”

“Hey, man, what can I say? Hockey’s a violent sport.”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

Logan snorted. “Fuck outta here.”

“I’m totally serious,” Hunter argued, walking up to him. “I’m half Italian. You think I didn’t inherit hot-blooded genes? You think I’m never tempted to drop the gloves and fight? You think I don’t wanna pulverize assholes when they talk shit or make dirty plays?”

“I don’t know. Do you?”

“Hell fucking yeah. But I’ve learned to harness my anger and exercise restraint.” Hunter tapped his temple. “‘The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting,’” he quoted.

Logan smirked. “Sun Tzu?”

“Of course.” Hunter folded his arms across his chest. “The point is, you don’t always have to fight. The time you spend in the penalty box is time you could be contributing on the ice.”

“I know that,” Logan grumbled irritably. “Anyway, why are you busting my balls? I’m not the aggressor in these fights—”

Hunter coughed.

“Not always,” Logan insisted heatedly. “That little fucker Brad Marchand is one of the dirtiest players in the league. Am I supposed to let him get away with the crazy stunts he pulls? Nah, fuck that. If assholes wanna start shit, I’m gonna finish it. That’s all I’m saying.”

Hunter gave him an indulgent smile. “Have you noticed that Reid has been fighting less ever since he got engaged to Nadia?”

Logan snorted. “Reid’s pussy-whipped.”

“And you’re not?”

Logan opened his mouth, but he couldn’t bring himself to say the word No.

Hunter laughed knowingly.

Lips twitching, Logan jabbed a finger at him. “By the way, no more private dinners with my woman.”

Hunter lifted an amused eyebrow. “Or what?”

“Or I’ma kick your ass.”

Hunter chuckled softly. “No, you’re not.”

“No?” Logan playfully put up his fists. “Let’s go, samurai.”

Hunter’s eyes gleamed with amusement. The next second he dropped gracefully and swept Logan’s legs out from under him with controlled precision.

It happened so fast, Logan barely had time to react before he was flat on his back, staring up at Hunter in slack-jawed disbelief.

“Dude, what the hell?”

Hunter stood over him with a hint of a satisfied smirk. “You might be able to beat me with brute strength, but I can disarm you with patience, skill and strategy.”

Logan scowled as Hunter reached down and grabbed his hand, helping him to his feet. His pride was wounded. He’d seen Hunter fight before, but he’d never unleashed any of those ninja moves.

“How the hell’d you do that?” Logan groused.

“I’ll show you later.” Hunter clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s meditate.”

---