Page 78 of Fighting Chance

Grayson shakes his head with a laugh as he skates by me. “Nice set up, Ashford.”

I bow low. “My services are always available.”

A snort rings out behind me but it’s not one of celebration; it drips with sarcasm and loathing.

By the way Grayson’s jaw clenches, I know exactly who it belongs to.

My eyes are rolling before I even face Chase Montgomery. “What is it now, Montgomery?” I drawl. “Still have a stick up your ass over IceHawks not wanting your small dick?”

Chase is in front of my face before I can blink, well, as close as he can get. He might act all mighty, but he isn’t as tall as me. I’ve got a good head over the prick, the one who tried to not only take Grayson’s spot on this team but also made disgusting comments about Drew.

“Shut your fucking mouth, Ashford.”

I can feel the darkness swirling in my eyes as I lean forward ever so slowly. “Or what.”

With gritted teeth, he spits, “You’ll fucking regret it.”

I skate backwards, pointing at him as I smile. “Nah, I like my mouth running just the way it is.”

Chase stalks me on the ice, a hard glint in his gaze.

Everyone in the league knows he’s dirty on and off the ice but I seem to be the only one that truly notices his evilness. It’s dark, soulless, and completely full of rage.

Perhaps I learned it from the foster home, the soulless eyes of young boys who grew up with such hatred in their hearts they went on to spread their misery, having experienced torture from far too many people. It’s why it doesn’t shock me when he suddenly grins, coming to a stop in front of me and spraying ice across the length of my body. “Got a little one now, Ashy?” He tsks, shaking his head. “You have to be so careful with them, especially when they’re at such a young age. Accidents…they seem to be magnets for them.” He shrugs as he moves backwards toward my home bench. “Wouldn’t want something to happen to her.”

My jaw snaps shut so fast I swear I hear a crack.

He’s goading you.

He can’t hurt her.

He can’t touch her.

He wants you to lose your temper.

Grayson skates up beside me. “What the fuck did he say?”

My hands are clenched so tightly I’m worried I’ll splinter my stick. “He said I need to becarefulwith Emmy because accidents happen so easily.”

Grayson’s head snaps up, murder in his gaze, but nothing willcome close to the way I look as I watch Chase Montgomery lift his hand and wave to Emmy.

I see red.

Fuck keeping my cool. Fuck a penalty, fuck the sin bin. I’ll savor every penny I’ll have to pay for the fine I’m about to get.

“Stay the fuck away from her!” I roar before I throw my entire body weight at him and slam the bastard into the plexiglass.

I can hear the arena’s collective gasp, the murmurs and the screams girls let out at the sudden violence. The refs blow their whistles but I ignore them.

I yank Montgomery’s helmet up. He’s smirking up at me, his plan working exactly how he wanted. But this fucker needs to know exactly who he’s dealing with.

“If you so much as look toward my daughter I will end you,” I growl with such venom his grin begins to fade. I pull him even closer. “Threaten her or use her against me and you’ll be leaving here in a body bag from the accident I makeyouhave.” My eyes narrow. “And that’s a fucking promise.”

The black and white stripes of the ref’s shirt comes into my peripheral and right as they reach for me, I shove the scum away, raising my hands in surrender as I back off.

The ref blows his whistle right beside me, his face red. “Ashford, penalty box, now!”

I can’t hold back my smirk. Damn, even the ref doesn’t mind me body slamming him. I hope the league starts to hate him as much as every other player does. Hell, even his own teammates aren’t skating over to help the bastard up. They probably know it was deserved.