Page 135 of Ice Devil

There were dozens of celebrities in the seats, the Jumbotron catching their faces when goals were made and lost.

And the hockey players? Well, all I could say was that the puck bunnies were out in full force, most wearing short shorts and tiny little tops that highlighted what God had given them.

Or in most cases, their plastic surgeons.

The insanity included the media from local to national television stations.

And the tailgaters outside went on for a couple of miles surrounding the building.

There was the usual share of assholes as well. Only this time, I was at the point of being unable to tolerate them.

I’d almost beaten up a poor woman who’d been at the wrong place at the wrong time. Honestly? I regretted not doing so. Her sign?

Shifters Aren’t Human

Yes, she’d almost gotten a black eye, but I’d refrained. Granted, not until Samantha had pulled one arm and Georgia, Ford’s beautiful mate the other.

Plus, a little voice had whispered inside my head reminding me that now as editor of a major newspaper, I could have more freedoms to educate the real wild dogs out there.

Those with no shifter DNA whatsoever in their bloodstreams.

“As we await the start of the final period,” the sportscaster announced over the microphone, “I’m happy to report that the event has already raised over a half a million dollars for the Children’s Hunger Fund. Way to go, Hellions. Such a great event.”

“It is, Joe, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to see such a fantastic game between two of the league’s most electric hockey teams.”

Joe laughed. “You’re right, Steve, and how incredible to have two sets of dynamic duo brothers. I don’t which I’d put my money on. The Masters brothers or the Kendricks.”

I glanced at the crowd, grinning when thousands began to chant the same thing.

“Kendricks. Kendricks. Kendricks.”

My heart was singing a little bit.

Plus, I was enjoying that I’d been the one to tell the people like Sports Today and the soon to be former owner of the Las Vegas Cruisers who’d been stupid enough to ask if they could be allowed to participate to shove it up their asses. Let them eat crow.

Including Matt.

His betrayal continued to hurt, but I’d get over it. At least he’d been allowed to resign quietly and last I heard, he was still sending out resumes.

“I’m so nervous,” Samantha moaned.

“Beck is going to get it done,” Cole said while giving me a funny look. “Granted, Savage Masters is running hot for the Wild Dogs tonight.”

“So is your brother Ford,” I reminded him. “And you need to place your trust in Beck as goalie. He’s the hottest player in the league right now.”

And I firmly believed that.

Even if the jealousy streak was running wild and free inside me from the number of marriage proposals that he’d received from thousands of girls online.

I’d learned so much in a couple of months with being around Beck and his family. From gaining a better understanding of shifter DNA to the more important aspects of how close they were, perhaps I’d benefited the most from my experience in learning to embrace and adore all that shifters could be.

Including sizzling in bed.

Even now, my skin tingled and as the players moved around on the ice, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Beck. Perhaps I was jaded, but he was the most handsome man in the NHL. Hands down.

The Jumbotron was active, flashing to various people in the stands, catching every celebrity cheering on their favorite.

“We’re coming down to the wire.” Margaret Kendrick was a powerful matriarch and when she squeezed my arm after joining me in front of the glass, a smile lit up my face.