Page 22 of Bradford

What is wrong with you?

Keep your cool, Bradford.

I refuse to believe that Nikoli purposely distracted me with the fight so someone could steal Florence right out from under my nose. What the fuck happened?

Me: What did he say to start the fight?

Nikoli: He called Willow a juicy whore.

Ouch!

Me: Florence was taken during the fight you started.

I see he's read my message, but he isn't replying. Glancing at the ice, I see him storming toward the guy he fought. He grips the guy by the throat and slams him into the boards. I can't hear what's being said, but the confrontation is escalating. Rhodes and Dario try to pull Nikoli away while the other team gets in their faces. I see Nikoli talking and gesturing toward the other guy. My friends tense up and focus on the guy. The fact that the guy's teammates calmed down and looked at him too suggests that they must have said something.

A few moments later, my friends and teammates move away to speak with the coach. There are three minutes left in the game. Nikoli shoots off the ice while the others get back into position.

I head out of the arena, but I have no idea which way she went. Where the hell is Dodge? The thought conjures the man who staggers toward me. Then, I notice the blood. I rush up to him and grab his arm before he falls. "What the hell happened to you?"

"I was ambushed in the restroom," he hisses. "Headache from hell."

"You're bleeding." I glance around and wave the staff over. "Get the paramedics up here." There is usually an ambulance crew close by during a game. I help Dodge over to the side and down to the ground.

"I don't need an ambulance."

"Two paramedics are on their way," the staff member says.

"I'm not calling them off because you look terrible."

That startles a laugh out of him.

"Can you stay with him? I need to look for someone."

"Check the security cameras," Dodge says. "Tell them I sent you." He winces. "Fuck! It's been a while since I was taken down." He sighs. "Speak to Leon." Dodge slumps against the wall just as the paramedics arrive. I get out of their way and notice that the staff member helping has a badge with the name "Scott" written in bold white lettering. "Scott, can you take me to security?"

"Yeah, sure. Their office is on level four.”

I grip my side and wince, slowing my pace slightly in hopes that it will help with the pain. My shoulder aches deeply, and I'm going to talk to the team doctor about it. It's more uncomfortable than painful. My situation is damn frustrating.

15

FLORENCE

"Just keep walking,Ms. Night. You'll be fine."

"Since when are kidnappers polite?" I snap, feeling a mixture of fear and anger.

This man took me right from under Bradford's nose. It didn't even have anything to do with his father. How could we have been so lax about what happened in Vegas staying in Vegas? My ex needs a comeuppance. I just hope he's at the end of wherever this guy is taking me, so I can kick him in the dick. He loves that part of his anatomy, so it would give me great pleasure. If he doesn't get the message then, maybe I can find something to hit him in the face—another one of his favorites. I shake my head and smile to myself. I'm not one for murderous thoughts, but with him, it'll be an exception.

"Asshole," I mutter. "Where's my boyfriend?" I turn my head to look at the man with the mustache.

He doesn't answer.

I stop. "I'm not taking another step until I know Bradford is okay."

The man with the mustache sighs. "He's probably looking for you. It isn't him the boss wants."

"Who is the boss?"

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