The space inside the car suddenly feels a whole lot smaller. And the exact reason I didn’t want to be alone with them in the first place.
I cross my arms over my chest, pointedly ignoring the lingering heat in my veins, the way my body still hums from everything. Or the way peaches fill the space.
Graham tells the driver to take me home, while Carson studies me for a long moment before saying, “First order of business is making sure you wear blockers when you go out. Finn might be a beta, but he could still catch your scent, and that could make everything worse.”
I shiver, which seems to satisfy Carson, because he leans back in his seat as the town car merges back into traffic.
Hunter doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t have to. His presence is enough.
Walkinginto practice should feel like freedom.
Instead, three massive shadows trail after me, broadcasting my every move, turning me into the main act of a VIP security detail.
Because, apparently, I am.
I push through the doors of the rink, the cool air immediately soothing the lingering warmth of the morning sun. I can hear the distant hum of my teammates already skating laps, the faint whoosh of wheels against the track. But the moment I step inside, I feel them at my back, a wall of muscle and silent authority.
I stop just inside and whirl around, glaring up at my unwanted entourage.
“Okay, this is where you stay. Outside.” I gesture toward the parking lot, my tone all fake-cheerful, the way you’d talk to lost tourists.. “Go be ominous out there.”
Graham crosses his arms, his storm-gray eyes flat. “No.”
I exhale harshly. “I knew you were gonna say that.”
Hunter remains silent, but the set of his jaw makes it clear he’s on the same page.
Carson, ever the most laid-back of the trio, smirks. “C’mon, princess, what’s the harm in letting us watch? You enjoy attention, don’t you?”
I scowl. “Not this kind.”
“Too bad.” Graham jerks his chin toward the track. “We’re coming in.”
Before I can argue, all three of them move past me,stepping into my space with the easy confidence of men who belong. Like they aren’t about to cause a scene.
And sure enough, the moment I follow them further into the building, everyone notices. Practice screeches to a halt as every single one of my teammates takes in the three very large, very alpha men now invading our space.
Twinkle Toes skates up first, eyes flicking between them, then settling on me. “Uh, Jinx?” she says, dragging out my name. “Are we taking in strays now?”
Smack ‘N Cheese stops next to her, propping a hand on her hip. “Damn, girl,” she whistles. “You open up a bodyguard adoption center without telling us?”
Oopsie Daisy skates right up to me, lowering her voice just enough for me to hear but loud enough that it’s definitely not subtle. “Are you—” she jerks her chin toward them, “—knotting one of them?”
“Oh my God.” I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “No. Absolutely not.”
Daisy doesn’t look convinced. “Because I would support it.”
I shoot her a glare. “They are not here for that.”
Equi’Knox coasts up, arms crossed. “So, why are they here?”
I feel all their eyes on me.
I force a breezy shrug. “Oh, you know. PR stunt.”
Knox raises a brow, it’s obvious she doesn’t believe me. “A PR stunt.”
“Yup.”
