Page 138 of Break The Ice

The hairs on my neck raise, and I shudder. I think I’m going into shock. My brain isn’t working properly, and I’ve got a bitch of a headache. My legs are shaking now. I lean over, resting my hands on my knees.

“Ryann?”

I let out a small shriek before I realise it’s Kelly. With a groan, I pull the phone up to my ear. “I can’t see him.”

“Ryann, you have to get out of there.”

“I can’t. He’s always right there. I can’t escape.”

“Ryann, help is coming. Stay calm, stay-”

“You don’t need this, darling.”

I let out a scream as the phone is ripped from my grasp. I kick out, getting him off me, and bolt again.

He’s letting me tire myself out. I can see it, but what can I do? He must have gone around the outside in the shadows to get ahead of me.

This time, I don’t stop. I slam into the coach’s box and grab the hockey stick. I see the pucks in a bucket and grab them too before I step onto the ice.

My shoes aren’t the best, but I was good at this. If I’m going to get taken, I want it to be with me putting up a fight, and I want it to be on the ice I love so much.

I skid and skate my way towards the goal and upend the bucket of pucks. I brace myself and look up, waiting for him.

He laughs and steps onto the ice.

It’s the first time I’ve been able to see him clearly, and now, without the contacts, without the wig, I see someone I do know. Someone I should have recognised straight away.

“Wesley?” Shock makes my voice high and my head light. How can it be Wesley?

He grins. “I did it all for you. Everything. So we can be together.”

Chapter forty-two

Ryann

He walks out ontothe ice easily, his eyes locked on me. I hold my ground, even though I really want to back up. He takes a step towards me, and I hit the puck with a slap shot and send it pelting dangerously towards my stalker.

He pauses, his eyes narrowing. “That was really rude, Ryann. I thought we’d moved past this.”

He takes another step. He! Wesley! The assistant coach! I squint at him.

“You played on my dad’s hockey team, didn’t you?” I say, taking a stab in the dark. I don’t remember him clearly, no matter what the others say.

“Of course. That’s where we first met, don’t you remember?”

“To be honest, no. Not at all.”

He scowls and takes a step towards me. I fire off another puck.

And then another.

He stops and crosses his arms. “I’ve been there for everything, Ryann. Aw, my poor lovely Ryann, don’t you know, I’ve been by your side the whole time. I’ve protected you from the people who want to hurt you. I’ve made sure your home was safe. I love you.”

I stare at him, unable to move as his obsession makes itself sickeningly clear.

“How?” I croak out. “How did you-” I trail off, not sure I want to know, but his eyes gleam.

“I have always been in your life, my love. Always a step behind you, protecting and caring for you. Danyal was getting too suspicious, so I arranged for his accident.”

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