Page 42 of Monstrous Serpent

“Drop it,” I snarl.

He raises both hands. “Fine.”

I lean over and untie my laces. I’ve never lost it like that during a fight before. But no one has ever made a fool of me on the ice like the two Serpents.

“Cody, you gotta calm down, man. You’re gonna snap the laces.”

I toss my skates to the side, shove my feet into my slides, and rush out of the room before I’m fully out of my gear. Everyone in the lobby stares as I pass. Probably should’ve put a shirt on, but if that bus leaves—

Good, they’re still here.

The arena doors slide open, and I step outside, heading toward the tallest of the fucking Serpents. I yank a stick out of one of their players’ hands, close the distance, and swing it across the back of Kincaid’s legs.

He staggers forward, drops his bag, and then spins, his arm cocked. I stand there, unflinching. But he doesn’t throw the punch.

And it pisses me off.

“You think I’m some dumb fuck you can manipulate.” I toss the stick aside, then shove his chest with everything I have. “Well, I’m not.”

Someone nearby taunts. “Ohhh, someone's got a death wish.”

“Yeah, he does.” I swing, my fist connecting with Kincaid’s jaw. “Him and his motherfucking friend.”

I swing again, but this time he catches my wrist. So, I go to use the other hand. He grabs that one too. Then he backs me up against the stone wall of the arena, pinning my wrists above my head.

“You done?”

I spit in his face.

He blinks, then drags his cheek across his shoulder, wiping my spit away. His fingers tighten until pain shoots through both wrists. “Now you're done.”

“Not even close, you dickhead.” I yank at my arms and drive my knee up.

He shifts his hips into mine, pinning me completely, and then leans closer. “Already told you to quit thinking about hitting me in the cock.”

“I wasn’t thinking about it. I was doing it.”

“You were trying to. But didn’t succeed.” Atlas leans one shoulder against the wall, smiling as he looks between us. “For all the money this school has, you’d think they’d sell popcorn inside. I could use some right now. You two should see yourselves.”

“I hate you. Both of you. I’m not some weak link you can exploit so your dumbass team can finally beat us.” I thrash around, trying to yank my wrists free. “I’m not as stupid as everyone thinks.”

Atlas straightens, his smile vanishing. “We never said you were—”

“You did.”

Fingers clamp around my jaw, forcing my head forward. Hunter stares down at me, unblinking. “Hockey has nothing to do with this.”

I huff. “Oh, really? So, what the fuck am I? Your source of entertainment?”

His grip tightens. “You’re ours.”

My lips part, and I blink rapidly, trying to refocus on his face.

He leans closer, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. “You belong to us now, Little Titan. Get used to it.”

Heat crawls up my neck, and my breath catches.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Reed strolls over, rolling his eyes. “You two leave him alone and get the hell on the bus.”