Bear Meets Girl
Page 109

And I rest my case.
Cella looked at Crush, but he only shrugged. Its up to you. But I should remind you that you invited Hannah to the try
Oh, my God! Cella pointed at Reed. Round up a few of the guys and all of you get on your gear. Ill meet you in the rink.
Okay.
Cella ran back to her locker and yanked out her equipment, quickly putting everything on.
Without opening her eyes, Sophie knew someone was in the Atlantic City hotel room with her, and even as she reached for the gun she kept under her pillow, she already knew it wouldnt be there.
It wasnt.
Might as well get up, darlin. Aint got all day.
Her mind scrambling for a way out of this, Sophie sat up, her eyes straying to the two windows closest to her and the door. Maybe she could
Youll never make it out of here before I catch ya. We both know that.
They did. Sophie studied the tall, big-shouldered female sitting across from her. In the twenty-three years Sophie DiMarco had been on this earth, shed learned how to read people. It was a skill that had kept her alive and relatively unscathed. When shed picked up that bleeding guy, shed known she was safe with him. Not just because he was bleeding out in the car, but because she could tell. She sensed it.
With this woman, however ... she knew if she ran, the bitch would kill her and it wouldnt even cross her mind again once it was over.
What do you want?
Eyes like a dogs blinked at her. I need you to show me where you picked up that boy.
Cant I just give you?
Its not that I dont trust you ... I just dont trust anybody. So show me where it was.
And then what?
Darlin, if I was gonna kill you, Id have done it by now. But commitments were made and I hold to those.
Yeah, but
You want that boy safe, dont you?
I guess. I mean, I dont really know him or anything.
You always pick up strangers bleeding out on the street?
Realizing the woman was either going to kill her or not and there was nothing Sophie could do about it, she admitted, That isnt what I saw. And we both know it.
Help me, the woman said. And Ill make sure no one bothers you. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and added, As long as you keep your mouth shut.
Crush followed Cella to the rink, then stood outside. A few seconds later, Reed and the rest of the players hed managed to find at the Sports Center ran by, with their gear on except for theirskates. Crush grabbed the handle and pulled the door open, allowing the team to charge inside. Reed stopped. You coming in?
The signhe pointed at the big sign that had several stadium guards standing around itsays only players and tryout invitees. Im neither.
The wolf grinned. Aint you cute. Then he grabbed Crush by the shoulder of his sweatshirt and hauled him inside.
Are you sure this is okay? I mean
Quiet, son. And just watch your woman work.
Cella skated across the ice toward Novikov. Novikov, who was in the middle of a tirade against some kid that didnt even look eighteen years old.
Cella maneuvered between the two, coming to an immediate stop in front of Novikov. What is wrong with you? she asked him.
Nothing. Why are you here?
Im here to help.
You cant. Youre not on the team.
I cant help, you idiot, during a game. Theres nothing that says I cant help with tryouts.
Youre supposed to be getting me an enforcer from the losers we already have. Ill handle the new losers.
Cella closed her eyes, took a deep breath. Can I talk to you for a minute?
Not if youre just going to yell at me about how I shouldnt call any of these idiots losers. Especially when youre not even on the team anymore.
Cella opened her eyes, looking up at the seven-one hybrid through those black lashes.
Uh-oh, Crush muttered.
Yeah, Reed agreed. I was thinking the same thing.
Cella skated off across the ice, stopped at one of the other exits, and walked out.
Reed looked at him. Thats it?
Doubt it.
Novikov was already back to destroying the hopes and dreams of complete strangers when Cella came in again. She skated over to him and stopped, gazing up at him.
What? Youre back? Why?
You did ... didnt you? a small voice said, and Crush and Reed leaned over to see who was standing in that entrance Cella had just come through.
Oh, man, Reed muttered. Malone is stone cold.
I know.
Novikov glared at Cella, then faced his fiance. Blayne
You! the wolfdog exploded, are a horrible, horrible man! How could you say that to Cella after all shes been through? Ill never marry you! Never!
Blayne ran out and Novikov handed his stick over to Cella. I hate you, he told her.