Page 37 of Ice Devil

“I can’t interview all four. I won’t be allowed that kind of time or access for an in-depth interview. Who do you prefer I cover?”

“There are countless articles on the Masters brothers. Ad nauseam. They are a beloved icon with fans all over the world.”

I laughed. “Let me guess. The powers that be, the ones that keep you in the lifestyle you’ve come to require are a little fearful of tearing down icons. However, until the Kendrick brothers win a Stanley Cup, they are fair game.”

He checked his watch.

Obviously, Tawny had an expiration date.

“I’m glad we understand each other. I’m certain you’ll weed through the lies and find the truth.”

“That’s the only reporting I will do.”

“You’re being watched, Sloane. People can see how incredible you are. Just keep in mind sometimes we must do things we feel go against our beliefs.”

I didn’t bother answering right away. Why bother?

Only when he started to walk away did the appropriate retort come to me. “You mean like selling our souls for the almighty dollar?”

His sudden stop was followed by a laugh before he walked away.

Once he did, I realized how much I desired a shower. I felt dirty. What in God’s name had I seen in the man?

I returned to my seat, staring at my handwritten notes, The truth was that I wasn’t a fan of social media. Yes, as part of my job, I was required to pay attention to what was being said and what was trending. Usually doing so helped with details of my article. I’d done so before meeting with Beck, finding one too many accounts especially on Instagram that reminded me just how popular the game truly was.

Had I actually been jealous?

With a little laugh, I saved what little I’d written on the article and switched to social media. I’d hesitated to pay any attention to what was happening with the Hellions team, although I had caught on the news they’d won their last two games after leaving Arizona. One at home.

Okay, so maybe I did know a little more about what was happening than I wanted to let on. However, that didn’t mean I was eager to read about any additional escapades Beck might have gone on.

What we’d shared had been… special. Okay, I could admit it.

I rose to my feet, peering over the partition to ensure Matt wasn’t walking up on me again before surfing for the Hellions’ page. Whoever they’d hired to be their social media director was doing a very good job.

He or she had managed to capture some incredible photographs. Including of Beck and his brother.

I couldn’t tell a lie. Both men were hot as hell. They also looked very much alike. As soon as I pulled up a picture of just Beck after coming off the ice, I heard my heavy sigh and frowned. Yeah, I’d enjoyed myself a little too much with him.

Including the silliness about the massage. What kind of guy would think of something like that?

The crowds were wild. So were the women.

Wait. Was the one girl wearing balloons under her bra? Or were those her real tits? I leaned in, completely uncertain. What was clear was how hot the hockey players thought she was. Another cringeworthy moment.

I flipped through a few more, finding several of them outside of the Portland arena. There appeared to be a few protestors, but for the most part, there were fans lining the parking lots and sidewalks.

The Charlotte game was different. As I moved from one screen to another, you would have thought I’d accidentally found a group of photographs from a political rally or God forbid, an event highlighting social injustice from decades before. Here, the ridiculous comments being made by supposedly intelligent people were… Wow.

Let’s just say the signs were not kind.

No Beasts Allowed

Hunt and Kill

And my personal favorite.

Animals Should Only Be in Forests