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“Wrong move, McKinnon,” I call as I approach, shaking my head, feeling wild and out of control.
He hurt my Hazel.MyHazel. He thought he could help himself to her. He sent herlingerie.
This ends now.
He shakes his head, wearing a stupid grin that makes me want to break every bone in his body. “She’s got you fuckingwhipped.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Streicher growls. “She’s your physio, and he’s your captain.”
McKinnon burps. He’s fucking wasted. “Whatever.”
I grab the front of McKinnon’s shirt, hauling him up straight so I can look him in the eye. Everyone in the bar is silent, listening and watching as tinny Christmas music plays.
“You don’t fucking touch her,” I tell him in a deadly calm, lethal voice as my pulse races. “You don’t go near her. You don’tlookat her. You’re nothing to us. This stuff?” I gesture at the bar. “You don’t show up for these things anymore. You’re going to pull that shit? You’re not part of the team.”
He’s breathing hard with the ugliest, most resentful expression.
“I can’t kick your sorry ass off the team but I can make sure you never bother Hartley again,” I continue. “Ask for a new physio or I’ll do it for you.”
Silence stretches between us, and in McKinnon’s eyes, I see something settle. Defeat, I think.
“Understand?” I give him a shake, and he stumbles.
“Fuck you,” he spits.
My blood simmers, crackling with energy. Every primal, male instinct in me wants to hit him.
He’s wasted, though, and it’s not a fair fight.Captain, Streicher called me. I’m trying to be the guy Ward wants, and I can’t hit a guy who can barely stand up straight. Hazel watches with a worried look, and that settles it.
“Go home,” I tell him in that same deadly calm voice before letting him go. Streicher and Owens escort him out of the bar but I’m already at Hazel’s side, leaning down.
“Rory, what are you—” She lets out a yelp of surprise as I haul her over my shoulder, careful not to bump her ankle.
I’ve got one arm wrapped around Hartley, holding her steady, and Volkov places the crutches in my free hand. “I’m taking you home and you’re not going to argue,” I tell Hazel.
I need to get her out of this place. My blood is pounding with the need to get Hazel home, get her safe, and get her all to myself.
She doesn’t say a word, and Pippa’s eyes are wide as she watches us leave. Even Jordan’s eyebrows are at her hairline.
“Have a great break, everyone, and nice work today,” I announce to the silent bar, carrying Hazel out the door. “And Merry Christmas.”
CHAPTER55
HAZEL
I wakeup on Christmas Eve morning to Rory gently moving a pillow under my ankle, elevating it while I sleep. I open one eye, squinting in the bright morning light as he walks to my kitchen, studying his muscular back and broad shoulders while he rummages through the cupboards, pulling out the coffee. His ass looks so good in those tight black boxers.
It’s nice watching him move around my kitchen like he’s at home here. In the middle of the night, I woke up and reached for him and he was right there, curled around me, warm and solid and steady.
He glances over and does a double take.
“Hey, Hartley.” He walks over, and I let my gaze wander down his body, counting every well-earned ridge and groove.
There’s a twinge between my legs when I think about what we did the other night and how hard he made me come. My gaze flicks up to his but he’s frowning, concern furrowed in his brow as he looks me over.
The bed dips as he sits beside me, picking up my wrist to check the swelling. “How’s it feeling today?”
“Better.” I test my ankle out, flexing and pointing as much as I can. There’s a sharp streak of pain as I hit the limit of motion, and Rory’s eyes widen when I suck a breath in. “It’s okay,” I reassure him. “I’ll stay off it today. You can wait on me hand and foot if you like.”
