Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

ESCA

I walked into my apartment with the night still replaying in my head. The roar of the crowd, the sting of Wallace’s fist, and the quiet way Nia had looked at me afterward. I dropped my bag by the door and peeled off my hoodie. The fabric carried the sharp smell of sweat and cold arena ice.

“Nia,” I muttered to the empty room. “What are you doing to me?”

My phone pinged on the counter. A text from Liam.

Liam: You good bro? Nia was looking for you.

I typed back quickly. I’m fine. I already talked to her. Then I powered the phone off completely and set it down. Tonightl did not want anyone reaching me.

I still could not wrap my head around it. She had actually come looking for me. After all the cold shoulders and clear hatred in her eyes, she had still shown up. Coach probably asked her to, but she could have said no. She had every right. Yet she had driven me back, cleaned my cuts with careful hands, and let me sit in her car in silence.

I stepped into the shower and turned the water hot. Steam rose around me as I stood under the spray, eyes closed. Water ran down my sore jaw and bruised knuckles. Her face kept flashing behind my eyelids-the softness in her touch, the way her eyes had lingered on mine for a second longer than necessary.

There had been something else in that look tonight. Not quite hate. Not quite kindness. Something warmer that made my chest feel strange.

I dried off, tied a towel around my waist, and walked to the fridge. Leftover lasagna waited inside. I heated it up and carried the plate to the couch. I ate in silence, staring at the city lights through the window, Tomorrow I will have to face the coach and the team. But right now all I could think about was Nia. Had we finally formed some kind of truce? The thought followed me to bed.

I woke up the next morning with my jaw throbbing. I swallowed the painkillers Nia had given me and waited for them to kick in. Then I kept my workout light, just enough to stay loose without pushing too hard.

I dressed carefully. Black jeans, tan crew neck sweater, black boots, and a baseball cap to hide the bruises. No duffel bag today. I was not playing. I just needed to see the coach, apologize, and leave

I locked the apartment and headed downstairs. Nia’s car was not in its usual spot. Typical early bird.

Rogers Arena felt quieter than usual when I arrived a few minutes past nine. I kept my head down and avoided small talk as 1 walked to Coach’s office.

“Morning, Coach,” I said as I stepped inside.

“How are you doing, Kane?” He gestured for me to sit.

“I’m good, sir. I’m sorry about yesterday. I disappointed the team.”

The coach leaned back. “It is alright, Maddox. For the first time you did not start the fight. Just stay out of trouble. There is no more room for mistakes.”

I nodded, eyes on the floor. “Okay, sir.”

“That is all for today. I told the boys to rest. We still have games before the playoffs.”

14:37 Tue, Jul 7 MACA

Chapter 28

55 vauene

I left his office feeling a little lighter. On my way out I stopped by the physio suite. I needed to see her. Even if it was just for

a minute.

i knocked softly and pushed the door open. “Nia?”

She looked up from her files. Her expression stayed flat. Cold. “Yes?”

I shoved my hands into my pockets. “I wanted to check on you. I did not see you this morning.”

“How nice,” she said sarcastically. She shrugged off her lab coat and stepped past me into the hallway.

“What’s your problem?” I followed her toward the rink.

“You are acting dumb now?” She scoffed and pulled her phone from her pocket. She shoved the screen in my face.

Bella’s Instagram post filled the display. She wore my old hockey jersey, smiling like she owned the world. The caption read: “You are mine, even though the world doesn’t see it yet. You still are, secretly.”

I stood there, stunned. “Nia, I swear I did not know about this. My phone has been off since last night. I did not want-

“Maddox.” Bella’s voice slid in smoothly, too smooth.

She sashayed toward us in an oversized white button-up shirt, tiny micro shorts; and thigh-high boots. The shirt looked familiar. Too familiar. Nia’s hand twitched like she wanted to leave. I grabbed it gently and held her in place.

“I have told you multiple times not to just show up around me randomly,” I said, voice low and angry.

“I just wanted to see you, Daddy,” Bella whined, tilting her head.

“Leave, Bella.”

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