My team’s captain, Hayden Lockwood, throws his stick into his locker with a clatter. He’s the resident crashout, from what I’ve been able to tell. The reason for this little outburst? His best friend and biggest aggravator, Callum Grey, just made a joke about his girl. I glare at them as Callum tries to jump over the benches in between the lockers and Hayden threatens to kill him in various ways. I don’t have to do anything though, because Tristan Vale swings his stick out and trips both of them in one go. He’s the mean ass goalie who everyone is afraid of, but he runs with these two idiots for whatever reason. I don’t need to be friends with these guys, that’s not why I’m here, but I’m smart enough to pay attention to who runs this place. And ironically, it’s these dipshits. I know of Callum, but have never met him. His cousin is the best bull rider The Falls has ever seen, and I’ve done a few side jobs for him. He’s got his hands in everything that goes on in that town and he’s not above getting his hands dirty, either. Callum left town when he was young, so we never crossed paths. There were rumors going around that he killed his own father, but in a town like that, you never know what’s made up and what’s absolutely true. They might think their little temper tantrums are intimidating, but I could take all three of them out right now if I wanted to.

I wouldn’t feel a shred of any emotion if I executed every single person in this building. My entire existence is wired around one girl. I was shaped into something monstrous just for the chance to keep her. I’m only entertaining this hockey bullshit because it gives me a free pass to knock the shit out of people, get my aggression out while I wait for the call.

I close my locker slowly, the metal creaking under my palm. My reflection in the steel is sharp and cold. This isn’t who I wanted to be, but I became him anyway.

For her.

My phone vibrates once. The screen lights up with a name I don’t expect. Speak of the fucking devil.

Caiden Grey.

I hesitate only a second before yanking open the back door and stepping outside into the freezing alley behind the arena. The cold wind hits me in the face, but to be fucking fair I need that right now. I need something to snap me into focus.

I swipe to answer. “Yeah.”

There’s a pause on the line. Then a voice, slow and cutting. “Kill anybody lately?”