Page 176 of Pucking Obsessed

“How long?” Heine whispers.

“How long would the prison sentence be for drugging, kidnapping, and assault?”

Heine bites his lip, unable to hold D’Angelo’s gaze any longer. “I only wanted you to love me.”

D’Angelo’s expression becomes even colder. “You can’t force someone to love you. I’m fucking obsessed with my lovers but I spent years alone because Robyn chose a different man to me. I didn’t force or try to possess her. Love has to be willing. It’s a series of choices. Tomorrow, I’m going to play in the game, despite everything you’ve done, and win because of that love. You’d never understand that type of sacrifice. But you won’t see it because you’re going to be on an airplane flying to Germany. Deal?”

Tears are streaking Heine’s cheeks.

He holds out his hand, however, and shakes D’Angelo’s like it’s a business transaction. “Deal.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Rebel Arena, Freedom

Shay

Exhilaration rushes through me.The energy in Rebel Arena is electric. The passionate home crowd are chanting and cheering.

Our fans are brilliant. Their enthusiasm makes me feel like I’m not the shortest man on the rink but the tallest.

The thrilling atmosphere helps me to battle through the pain and exhaustion.

I’m on my skates. This is where I come alive.

I’m alive.We all are.

We’re safe.

And tonight, we won’t be the losers.

We’re bloody winning this game.

It’s Saturday evening and our final game against the tough team, the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks are keeping up the pressure on us. They’re relentless.

Yet my team are playing with a dogged resilience that makes me glow with pride.

D’Angelo is leading us with a grim determination. It reminds me of Eden’s typical way of dealing with pain.

The two men are more similar than I realized.

I glance at my brother and Robyn who are standing on the other side of the glass.

Eden is dressed in a smart suit. He looks incredible in suits in a way that I never could. Also, comfortable like he’s finally found his real skin.

Perhaps, D’Angelo should set up a formal dom training course for Eden because looking like this, it’s more obvious than normal that he’s a natural dominant.

D'Angelo’s smart that he knew suits would help Eden drill down to that side of himself in public and help him to cope with the noise, crowds, and anxiety.

Robyn is wrapped up warmly in a honeydew wool dress and a hat and scarf. They’re standing as close as it’s possible to without having their arms around each other.

Eden hasn’t left her side since last night. He hasn’t left any of our sides.

I can’t help losing focus and sneaking glances at them throughout the game. Eden narrows his eyes at me and mouthsconcentrateevery time that I do.

Yet I need to check that they’re still there.