“I found him with his hands wrapped around Adeline’s neck.” His tone is perfectly calm. It’s terrifying, really.
My uncle spins, giving me a once-over. “Are you okay?”
I nod quickly. “He just took me by surprise. I’m not normally that weak.”
Shoulders falling, he rushes to me and pulls me into his arms. “You aren’t weak. Being attacked like that doesn’t mean you aren’t the strongest woman I know.” He tightens his grip on me and rubs my back.
At the comforting touch, my walls crumble and my nervous system crashes. My body, already trembling, shakes in earnest now.
He almost killed me. He might have if JJ hadn’t found me. He took advantage of me years ago. Drugged my drink. Stole my private pictures. Plastered them to walls for a whole team of men to see.
I can’t breathe. It’s too much.
“It’s okay. It’s okay,” my uncle murmurs as I suck in deep, shuddering breaths and cry against his chest. “What else did he do to her?” Gavin’s tone is laced with pain and fury.
“He took advantage of her. Four years ago. It’s why she didn’t play in that NHL game. He drugged her and put private photos of her all over the locker room.”
“I need you to take her. Can you do that for me?” Gavin says. “I need you to get her home and take care of her.”
My heart cracks at the desperation in my uncle’s voice.
Stop being weak, Addie. You are strong. You can do this. I take a long breath and step back, forcing my shoulders to straighten. “I’m fine. Sorry, I just needed a minute.”
I swipe the tears from my cheeks, but more pool in my eyes, making the scene before me a blurry mess.
JJ drops Dirk, who falls in a lump onto the floor. Then JJ’s scooping me into his arms, cupping the back of my head. “Oh, Adeline. I’m so sorry.” He hugs me tight and I bury myself in his chest. “I just?—”
I shake my head. “If I’d found you the way you found me, I’d have done the same.” I let out a bitter laugh. Because I’m not this weak. I could have protected JJ.
“Of course you would have. You’re the strongest person I know.”
“Can you get her out of here?” Gavin says, staring down at Dirk, who is moaning on the floor.
JJ cups my cheeks, looking at me with so much love in his eyes. “Want me to call the guys so they can create a distraction before we head out?”
I blink, my mind spinning. Considering. It takes a moment to understand why he’s asking. There’s always press around the arena. It may not be a game night, but because it’s the Holiday Skate, a few local stations are here.
“You trying to tell me I look bad or something?” I try to tease.
He gives me a pained smile, swiping the tears from my cheeks. “You look beautiful, like always.”
I drop my forehead to his. “I can do this.”
“Of course you can.”
I straighten again, and he presses a kiss to my lips.
As if he’s imbued me with some of his strength, I nod and take another breath. Then I head toward the door. I don’t look at Dirk. He doesn’t deserve another ounce of my attention.
JJ opens the door and steps to the side. At the threshold, I stop and peer back at him, holding out a hand.
His brows tug together as he studies it. “Adeline.” He swallows. “The press is out there. And our teammates.”
I nod. “Take my hand anyway.”
“Everyone will know.” The words are rough, like he won’t allow himself to hope that I want that.
“Take my hand anyway,” I repeat, meeting his gaze.
