Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

DARIO

Doc patches up those who need it. Including me. These New Yorkers are no pussies. I hate for Gemma to see me like this. It's not like I haven't come off the ice with a few cuts and bruises before. It's the first time since she's been mine. It won't be the last.

It wasn't a good idea to fight on the ice so soon after being thrown around by a car bomb. My hands hurt worse and so do my ribs.

The two new idiots on the team laughed at our sorry state as we walked off the ice. Just wait! Next season they'll be where we are now.

It wasn't my fault tonight. It had been Bradford's. He'd come storming out of the goal, went after the New York right winger. I still don't know what set him off in the first place.

Doc gives me a nod as I gingerly get up from the treatment chair. "Let me get you some ice packs. Use them when you get back to the room."

"Thanks." I walk away, leaving Nikoli to hop on the chair. Back in the locker room, I give Bradford a glare. He smirks in return.

Asshole.

My friend comes over and helps me out of my shoulder gear because I'm hurting. "What did he do?"

"Called me a pussy."

Surprised, I ask, "And you let that get to you?"

"It wasn't what he said, it was the way he said it."

"Well, can you behave tomorrow? My ribs can't take much more right now."

He winces. "Sorry. You should have stayed out of it after the bomb."

"Bomb?" Nash repeats in a high-pitched voice. I didn't know he was behind me. "You said bomb, right?"

"Nothing big," Bradford says.

"Wait a minute! The bomb that was at the arena. Last night. That was you?"

"Let's not rehash it," I say, hoping he's listening. I don't want Gemma to be reminded of it, or how close I came to being dead.

The shower feels good, but it ends too soon.

My girl is waiting for me.

Half dressed, I place the ice packs on my ribs and button my shirt. I wave to Dover and Nash as I head out. But Rhodes stops me. "Rosie just texted. We're meeting them at the hotel bar. Apparently Dodge and Levi took Gemma back to the hotel via a small private airstrip to drop off Wyatt and Dallas."

"I thought the girls were staying here until we were done." I'm a little annoyed that she didn't watch the end of the game. On the other hand, at least she didn't see me get punched in the face.

"She saw the game, Dario. They left as soon as it was over, so Rosie tells me. She's traveling with Gemma."

"Okay." To the rookies, "Looks like you get to ride the bus." I grin.

The hotel bar is busy when we arrive, but when the staff see the team entering, they direct us to a reserved area outside with a large fire pit. The two rookies don't need a babysitter, they look right at home among the team. I smile as they get carded. I still do, and it's nice to see others having to pull out their IDs.

It's kind of a free for all now that we're here. The girls I saw at the bar have joined our group. My eyes search for Gemma, but I don't expect her for a while.

Lake sits down next to me and hands me a bottle of beer. "Nothing like it after a brutal game."

"We did a good job of holding on to that one- point lead. I thought for sure they'd at least equalize."

"No, they made stupid mistakes trying to take it away from us."

I grin and notice Lake's eyes darken as he looks over my shoulder. Before I have time to look, I feel someone sitting next to me. My heart drops as I turn and recognize Naomi from the night I screwed up with Gemma.

She sees me recognize her and smiles. "I've been worried about you since I saw the explosion on the news. It scared me."

"Oh."

Lake the idiot laughs.

"Will you introduce us to your friend?" She waves her friends over. The seven of them.

"Hell!" I mumble, apologizing to Lake as I beg him for help. He's no help though, as his wife Juniper has found him and taken up residence on his lap.

I'm so screwed if Gemma walks in on this. Especially with Naomi sitting next to me.

The look on Naomi's face when she notices Juniper is not good. She jumps up. "Hey, bitch! We were here first!" She lunges at Juniper, but I'm up and grab her around the waist. Naomi struggles against my grip, her eyes blazing with anger. I try to calm her, knowing things could escalate quickly.

Lake gets up and hands his wife to Nikoli. He gets in Naomi's face. "Who do you think you are talking to my pregnant wife like that?" Juniper looks frightened and clings to Nikoli for protection as Lake steps between them.

I turn and throw Naomi away as I wave security over. I say, "You and your friends are not welcome here. Get out!" I move to Juniper, who is wrapped around Lake. I lean over and plant a kiss on the top of her head. "Congratulations." I meet Lake's gaze. "To both of you!" I squeeze his shoulder, and then I see her.

She is the most beautiful girl here. My face splits into a grin that fades when she doesn't return it. Dodge doesn't look happy either. I sigh. I'm not in the mood for this shit. It's been a long couple of days and all I want is my girl. I don't want to have to explain shit every time someone jumps on me.

Holding Gemma's gaze, I move toward her. "I'm going up to the room. You ready to call it a night?"

She glances across the room. "Not yet."

Irritated, I walk away without a backward glance. I call for the elevator and step inside. It's quiet as it rises, and I hang my head. Gemma is safe with Dodge, even though I wish she was with me.

I enter the room and decide to take another shower, hoping it will cool me down. Maybe Gemma will be back with me by then. We can talk. If not, I'll go after her.