Page 107 of Ice Devil

“I can understand that.”

“No offense, but you really don’t know.”

“You’re right. I don’t. But maybe I want to. You allowed me to see your wolf in whatever form that was so you could save my life. You didn’t think twice about what you were doing. You did what was necessary. I didn’t know shifters could partially transform.”

“I didn’t either until recently,” he said in a subdued voice. “I just knew when I was standing inside my office that you were in trouble. Much like the feeling I’d had with that asshole in Scottsdale.”

“My protector,” I said quietly. “What does that mean, Beck? Why do we feel so close yet want to kill each other?”

While I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off him, he was staring at the water. “You don’t want to know the scientific reason.”

“Scientific reason? The last time I checked, kismet didn’t need to be examined under a microscope. People or creatures or whatever are either attracted to each other or they aren’t. That’s not rocket science.”

He cocked his head in such a way to indicate I wasn’t entirely correct.

“Oh, please. The bottom line is that you’re the one who doesn’t want to discover or believe the truth. Correction, you won’t accept reality if I spelled it out for you.”

“Oh, you wound me.” He smacked his palm against his chest. I was so exasperated I pummeled his abdomen with my fist.

“Don’t tempt me.” I was obviously amusing him by the twinkle in his eyes. Why was it my stomach was doing flipflops?

“Fine, I’ll bite. What is the truth? What can you tell me about what happened with those assholes? Or why people doctored pictures of us? Or why a few were real? Then there’s the fact the Cruisers still want me crucified. Ford’s along for the ride. What I do know is that I trusted you and I don’t trust many people. Since you’ve been involved in my life for longer than a single game, maybe now you can figure out why. I don’t want any handouts. I don’t expect undue praise either. I will work extra hard to prove my worth. I always knew that’s what I’d need to do. Is it difficult to keep my wolf in check? Sometimes. He had a mind of his own and lately, he’s… angry. However, shifters are provided the skills early on in our lives to be able to curtail using our attributes. But when people constantly try and poke the bear, the bear will eventually lose his shit.”

“The bear should lose his shit as well as enjoy a hearty lunch,” I countered, trying to find the right words and around him, even the simple task I’d taken for granted my entire life had proven draining. “I very much understand trust issues. I have them myself. One of the reasons is because of Matt. Yes, we were close once. In fact, I looked up to him. I’d never considered myself naïve as my parents didn’t raise me that way, but he was older and accomplished. He wasn’t polished like so many guys I’d been around. He’d been a professor at one point, becoming a reporter because he believed in several causes. One of which was corruption in the world of politics and large companies. I admired him and my first job was working with him.”

Beck acted as if he didn’t want to pay attention, but I could tell he was listening to every word.

“Yes, I even thought I was in love with him, but that quickly faded. When shifters came out in the open, he started doing reports on politicians who were against wolves from the start. In retrospect, I think he was working both sides, offering support under the guise of remaining neutral. I was involved in gathering information on a scathing article that he wrote after being heavily influenced by a couple Congress members. I didn’t know it at the time. I truly believed we were trying to dispel fears. When I found out the truth, I quit.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. I even tried to write an article of my own in rebuttal, but by then, he’d used what I’d written against me. My reputation as a political reporter had been jaded so I pulled out of political reporting altogether. After a couple months of floundering, I was given an opportunity with the paper I currently work for writing for local sports teams and built my career from there. Like as had occurred so many times, the paper was bought out by a huge media conglomerate just a year ago and guess what? Matt came along for the ride as my boss. I should have cleared up what happened with Bronco. I still will but my way. Not with Matt breathing down my neck.”

He studied my face as if checking if I was lying to him. “He’s a damn snake in the grass.”

“Yeah, he is, but I honestly didn’t know how much of one until recently. I don’t know where his full loyalty stands, but I do not trust him. However, until I figure out a plan to fix this, I don’t want him tipped off I’m working against him.”

“Where does he think you are right now?”

“Taking a few days off to cool down. Jamaica to be exact.”

“Whatever is happening, my career could be in the toilet. Hell, my agent mentioned the Cruisers’ owner is considering filing assault charges. I didn’t put Bronco in the hospital.”

“No, you did not and over my dead body,” I hissed. “You have a brilliant career ahead of you. The crap floating around the internet will die down, another player taking center stage. By then I’ll have a plan of attack. I want you to help me. I know how you feel about me, but I can do something to fix at least a portion of this bullshit.”

He remained uncertain. Could I blame him?

“Sloane, I’m not entirely certain the Hellions’ owners want me back on the team.”

“Don’t you have a contract?”

“With clauses. Even a couple codicils with shifters terms involving cheating, immoral acts, etc.”

Immoral acts. Another red flag flew high in the sky. Not only was Beck considered expendable, so was I.

“That’s illegal.”

“Not if I sign on the dotted line, which I did.” His shrug was almost in resignation. To hell with that. “So did Ford.”