Page 21 of Pucking Christmas Triplets Surprise

“You know what men do to boys like you?” I don’t even give him a chance to respond before my hand locks around the throat of this tattooed, skinny-jean-wearing punk, his legs kicking uselessly in the air as he gasps for breath.

My pulse thunders in my ears, drowning out everything except the harsh rasp of his strangled gasps and the faint sound of Josie’s panicked breaths. If it weren’t for the pull to turn and hold her, to make sure she’s safe, I’d have already snapped his neck without a second thought.

“C-Chris,” she whispers, her voice trembling, barely cutting through the haze of red clouding my vision.

“Turn around Josie.” I snarl, my eyes locked on the reddening of his skin, the way his eyes are seconds from popping out of his skull. I knew I was going to break every bone in his hand the minute I saw his hands on her, even before she said stop— this man was nearing injury, and well now he’s dead.

Who am I kidding, this punk was dead when he crossed the dance floor. Dead when he brought her a drink. Dead when he followed her outside. Even if he didn’t know it, he should have, Josie is mine, even if she doesn’t want to be. I am hers even if she won’t have me, right now, I will make sure she will.

I won’t blame him for being attracted to her, Josie is the most gorgeous girl in the world and we are all at her mercy. I am at her mercy, because this is what she does to me. All these years of media training being known as the golden retriever of theNHL and I am in an alley where anyone can see me seconds away from murdering a guy who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Chris,please.He stopped,” she stammers, her fingers shakily pressing into the curve of my spine.

I grit my teeth, my grip only tightening around his throat as I growl through clenched teeth, “Hehurtyou.”

The words feel like fire in my mouth as my fingers press harder, the guy’s nails scratching desperately at my arm, but I’m barely aware of him. All I see is Josie’s face, the fear in her eyes, the bruises blooming on her skin, and the sick satisfaction this asshole probably felt when he thought he could get away with it.

“M-man,” he gasps out, his legs kicking beneath him.

“Shhh, I’d pick your last words very carefully.” I taunt, slamming his limp body against the wall, ready to make him fight for the final moment of his pathetic life.

But then her hand slides from my back to my shoulder, and she pulls at me, trying to get me to look at her. “Chris, please… look at me,” she whispers, voice trembling as her hand slides up my neck, leaving feather- like heat in her wake.

My eyes leave the purpling punk and land on her wide, green eyes brimming with tears. She pleads with me, her bottom lip between her teeth as she gnaws on it nervously. My grip loosens slightly, and I can hear him sharply suck in a breath.

She shakes her head, her thumb brushing lightly over the vein popping out of my neck in a way that makes something insideme crack.

“He’s not worth it.” She says barely above a whisper. “I-I’m fine. Look at me. I’m fine.”

I cut off her stammer with a snarl, pushing the fucker against the wall harder. “You’re crying.”

“Because despite how much I hate you. I can’t stand the thought of you going to prison.” Josie lips twists to the side after she speaks, and right when she is about to take her hand off of me I release my grip on the punk and grab her wrist stopping her from not touching me.

“Don’t.” I don’t know what I am saying don’t to, but I hold onto her hand like it is the only anchor I have to earth.

I turn my attention fully to Josie, reaching out to steady her, my hand brushing against her cheek as I try to reassure her. She places her cheek perfectly in the palm of my hand, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“Are you okay?” I ask softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nods, but I can see the lingering fear in her eyes. “I… I think so,” she murmurs, glancing quickly at the guy slumped on the floor. She looks back at me, her fingers curling around mine.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here.” I whisper, turning to guide Josie to my car.

“You think you can just assault me like that, Golden Boy?” he sneers, trying to muster up some bravado even though he can’t get out a word without groaning. “I’ll sue you. Take every damn penny you’ve got. Let’s see how tough you feel when your career is in shambles.”

I feel Josie’s hand tighten in mine, her face paling as she shoots a worried look my way. But I don’t let go of her, not even for asecond. I turn back to the guy, my expression cold and steady as I take a step closer, looming over him.

I lower my voice to a growling whisper, leaning in just enough that he feels the heat of my anger. “Listen up, because I’m only going to say this once,” I say, my tone dark, controlled. “If you so much asthinkabout laying a hand on her again, if you evenconsidertrying to mess with her life, I’ll make sure you won’t have a life left to mess with. Got it?”

“You can’t just-”

“Let me make myself clear, if she wakes up tomorrow, next week, a decade from now and decides she wants you dead then I will hunt you down, and murder you with my bare hands.” I chuckle darkly in his ear. “I’d be more concerned with trying to outrun me than a payday. Don’t you think?”

The guy’s cocky smirk wavers, and his eyes widen. He tries to hold his ground, but I can see the fear creeping in, the way his shoulders shrink as he nods slightly, glancing away.

“Good,” I say, straightening up and never breaking eye contact, allowing him to see the deranged shadows in my eyes. It’s not often people see me, and not the golden boy image. “I’d suggest you keep your mouth shut and start running.”

In complete silence, I drive Josie home. She clings to my hand tightly, and I can't decide which makes me feel worse— her lack of communication or the fear evident in her grip.

---