Marcus stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "A trinity bond?"
"Yeah."
"Fuck, Luca. Does the team know? Does Coach know?"
"Marcus knows now. The rest will figure it out."
"This is..." He ran a hand through his hair. "This is huge. You and Roarke? How is that even going to work?"
"I don't know. We're figuring it out."
Before Marcus could respond, Jaxon appeared at my other elbow.
"Need some air, Vale?"
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
We walked outside together, my entire team watching us go.
The alley behind Power Play was dark, lit only by a single flickering streetlight. Away from prying eyes. Away from questions.
"Your team knows," Jaxon said.
"Marcus does. The rest will figure it out soon enough."
"Good. I'm tired of hiding."
"Easy for you to say. You don't give a shit what people think."
"And you give too much of a shit." He stepped closer. "You played like shit tonight because you were worried about what your teammates would think if they found out about us."
"That's not true."
"Bullshit. I could feel you through the bond. Feel you second-guessing every play."
The accusation stung because it was partially true.
"You played dirty tonight," I countered.
"So did you."
"That slash in the second period was bullshit."
"Your check in the first could've broken my ribs."
We were chest to chest now. Anger and desire mixing into something volatile.
"You think I went easy on you because we're bonded?" Jaxon's voice was low, dangerous. "Think again, Vale."
"I don't want you to go easy on me. I want you to play fair."
"This is hockey. Nothing's fair."
His hand shot out, wrapped around my throat.
Not choking. Just holding. Possessive. Dominant.
The same way he'd done it at the cabin.
