Bloodfeather
Bloodfeather
(A Puck It Novel)
Linz Lenay
Bloodfeather
(A Puck It Novel)
© Linz Lenay 2019
© Cover design by Dark Water Covers
© Editing by Kristi Coleman
All rights reserved, with exception of quotes used in reviews, No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of Linz Lenay, except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This author acknowledges the trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
For you. Yes, you.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
About the Author
Other Books by Linz Lenay
Acknowledgments
Thank yous are always hard to put into words.
I’d like to thank the Internet for any knowledge I needed to learn for this book. Music and coffee for keeping me functioning. Patience for not giving out on me. And hockey for inspiring me to write this book in the first place.
My betas, you’re amazing, thank you for being the gears to my machine.
Dark Water Covers, Tracie, you made my cover so pretty and I’m so so happy with it. You brought Gaige to justice for me. Thank you.
Natasha, you're the proofreading queen. I bow to you.
Kat & Layla, thank you for being my sounding board and giving me that push to finish this baby.
Sansa, YOU are amazeballs, even if you argue about that.
And as always, D. Your support and encouragement for my writing still astounds me. Thank you for that.
Chapter One
Dasia...
“Dasia, open this damn door!”
My best friend, Storm, is determined to get me to go out with her tonight, at least that's what her text told me an hour ago. I, on the other hand, am going over one of the Lykan Basilisks media pages as I sit at the desk in my home office. It’s a work from home day.
They're the hockey team that I work for, and over the summer the media has been finding anything and everything they can. According to them there was baby-mama-drama with one guy, a drunken arrest with another, then there's the golden boy who everyone thought was cheating on his wife. The truth is that, Tripp “Golden” Sheppard was hosting his sister while she went to college in Lykan; Forest broke his second beer on a guy's head after getting pushed by some chick who thought he was a dog, which he kind of is, but he's also a damn good defenseman and sweet as candy when you get to know him. Now Jack, he just has really bad luck. His baby-mama was a one night stand, three years ago, who turned girlfriend because he wanted to do right by his kid. The drama turns out to be that he wasn't the only one she was fucking and Alice may not be his biological daughter, he's still fighting to get a paternity test through the courts and Angela is talking to every media person who will give her time.
Why am I mentioning all of this? Because I'm the one they hired just before the playoffs ended, to try and clean up the media mess. I've made statements, backed up the player's words and stories, and even pushed them through a few charity events to make their character shine through. They've become my boys and I'm the mama bear you don't mess with, even though I've only been with them going on six months. Pretty sure that behind my back people call me a viper, fitting for our team's mascot, King the Basilisk.
I hear the door to my house jiggle and then open, Storm must have remembered she has a key. I close my laptop on the desk, getting up to greet and save her from my black lab, Monster.
“Hey, Storm. I'm sorry I was working on some things and didn't hear the door until Monster moved from my feet.”
“Liar. You were ignoring me because you don't want to go out with me. Monster has been pawing at the door and nosing the bells since I first knocked. You just want to save your pretty ass.” She gives me this look that says I'm in trouble.
“Fine, you're right. I give, but I still don't want to go out.”
“Listen, I just started having weekends off and I've missed a lot of good bands coming into town, the least you could do is celebrate with me. Plus it's your favorite band.” She gives me her best pout and begging eyes. Fortunately for me, I'm one of the only ones that can ignore it.
“That face won't work on me, but I'll go on one condition, since I know you've been working hard to get a 7 to 7 shift at the hospital. I wear comfortable clothing and shoes. I refuse to stuff myself into something and be self conscious.”
She squeals and squeezes me to her chest. I'm 5'3” and she's taller than me at 5'9” so I'm perfect height for boobage level. When I can breathe again, I head to my upstairs bedroom to change out of my sweats. When I work from home I take advantage of not being seen and wear whatever I want, like not wearing a bra. For tonight, I grab a pair of black leggings, a red sweater dress, and some soft cozy socks to pair with my black biker boots. I brush out my waist length wavy dark purple hair; that I only get away with at work because it can pass for black, and pin back one side with a couple bobby pins to keep it out of my face.
“Well I wasn't expecting this. I thought for sure you'd come back down in your Nightmare Before Christmas onesie.”
“As much as I would love that, I don't think Dave would let me into the bar wearing it.”
“Oh he would, but on the condition that he be the one to take it off you at the end of the night.” She busts out laughing at her own joke, knowing how true it is.
Dave owns The Kilted Rose, the only pub that I will go to. He went to school with us growing up, and has always had a crush on Storm and I, no matter how many times we've said we'd rather be friends. He's a nice guy, but I've friend-zoned him so hard that there should be imprints.
Sighing I tell Monster to be good and guard the house, then lock up as we head out to her SUV.
“You'll thank me later for this. You need a night out. The PR nightmares you've been handling have you stressed out so much I haven't seen your real smile in months. You don't have to drink, I just want you to relax. Plus you know that Hailey is working tonight and she'll make us the best meal and throw in a piece of her apple cake.”
At that moment my stomach growls and I realize I haven't eaten since breakfast. Hailey is Dave's sister and is amazing in the kitchen. She makes anything from simple to crème brule, but loves to stick to her Irish roots when it comes to the pub. She makes exceptions for us because we're like family, if we're feeling something that deviates from the selection, Hailey makes it happen. Their specials change each week depending on what Hailey finds at the farmers market and she tries to keep it on the healthier side without losing flavor.
“And now I'm starving. Drive faster.” I laugh, knowing it's not far to the pub and we could walk it if it were summer, but the 40 degree temperatures that are decreasing as the days grow shorter, make it harder.
“Think he'll take his shirt off tonight?”
“Without a doubt. It's his M.O., Storm.” I scoff and laugh, making her giggle.
“If he wasn't madly in love with his girlfriend I'd try to get his pants off, too.”
I almost spew my hot tea out my nose at this. Storm smirks as she takes a sip of her whiskey on the rocks, letting me know that her aim was to get me to laugh. We enjoy the rest of our cake in silence, well as silent as a bar with a band setting up can be. I glance around and notice there aren't many patrons around, but the band won't start for another half hour, so maybe they'll trickle in then.
The band has been playing for about an hour, our bellies are satisfied and Storm is a bit tipsy. I've been drinking my tea and agreed on having a shot every other cup, conscious enough to be an adult but also letting myself go a bit. We're dancing along to J's beautiful voice, having a great time when I feel someone rub against my ass. I brush it off, the floor is packed being such a small area, but when it happens again, and this time is paired with a come on, I stiffen.
“Did you sit in a pile of sugar? Cause I'd like to have this sweet ass.”
Without thinking, I turn around and punch the asshole right in the nose.
“The fuck you will. Keep your hands to yourself and get some new lines.”
“Shit, Gaige! Man, are you okay?”
“Yeah, but what the fuck!?”
I look to this Gaige and his friend incredulously as I cradle my hand and wrist, because his face was really hard and now it's throbbing.
“Seriously? You grab my ass, hit on me, and ask why the hell I hit you?”
“Look, little one, I apologize for myself, but I was just being an asshole. Gaige didn't do anything but brush past you innocently. I'm Karter, by the way.” He awkwardly throws his hand in my face for a shake. I just look at it.
“Wow, you're adorable. I'm Storm, this is is Dasia. She's not going to shake your hand.” I hold in my giggle at her sarcastic start of conversation.
I look over at Gaige and notice he's no longer holding his nose, but even in strobe lighting, I can tell it's swelling. Now I feel bad because I hit him, but also want to strangle his friend. I'm a mixture of emotion right now.
I run and grab a waitress with my good hand and ask for ice in a cloth for him, which she's quick to get me. I'm lucky enough that Storm and Karter are in some kind of heated argument, that I can't really hear over the song playing, because that means Gaige is still standing there trying to get his friend out of the war zone. I get his attention when I reach them, and hand him the ice with an apologetic look on my face. I feel guilty when he takes it and pulls me off to the side where it's a little quieter. Instead of using it on his face, he gently takes my right hand and puts the ice on my wrist.
“I've had worse to the face. It was more surprising than anything, I'll live. You on the other hand look like you need this ice more.” His voice is like molasses. A bit gravely, but smooth.
It's then that I take in his appearance. He's tall, almost a foot taller than myself, his hair is shorter on the sides and longer on top where it looks soft enough to run my fingers through the curls. His nose, although swollen, looks like this isn't it's first break, which for some reason makes my panties scream at me to toss them at him if I were wearing any. It gives him that bad boy rebel look, especially paired with his trimmed beard, that shows off his beautiful cheekbones, full lips and bright blue eyes. He has broad shoulders, and his arms look like they could do some damage to anyone that pisses him off, but with the gentle touch he's using also protect anyone he cares for. His build and strength remind me of an alpha wolf; ready to kill any threat to his pack, it's intimidating. His hands are both tattooed, on the fingers, sides and on the tops. As I'm looking over his arms, I notice that his thermal shirt is pushed up a little, revealing some tattoos up one arm that I can't make out and a tattoo that makes me giggle on his left forearm.
He looks at me curiously when I laugh out loud, so I flip over my left wrist to show him my hockey heart sticks that match the puck saying “Puck It”. He lights up at it and understanding blooms in his eyes.
“Nice ink. I think that you should have your wrist looked at. It feels like just a sprain, but it could be broken.”
“What are you, a doctor?”
“No, but I've had plenty of experience with wrist injuries.”
Being the pervert that I am, I burst out laughing.
“Too many nights with the beef jerking?”
It's perfect timing for the band to take a break, because as the lights come back on, I'm able to see Gaige's blush form.
“Uh, not answering that one. Lets grab our delinquents from their makeout session and take you to the ER.”
At his words, I look to Storm, and sure enough they're where we left them, practically fucking on the dance floor with their clothes still on. I'm surprised, since we left them at each other's throats. I guess it's true when they say that there's a fine line between hate and passion.
He guides me with a hand on my lower back to our friends, who jump apart when we get to them, and explains what the plan is. Storm races over to our table, throws enough cash on it to cover our bill, grabs our purses, and meets us at the door. Gaige offers to drive since it will be a pain, literally, to get us there, so he helps me up into his big truck. Okay, so he lifts me into the passenger seat because I'd have to use both of my hands to climb up. Storm has no problem, but Karter helps her anyway, by lifting her ass.
It doesn't take long to get to the ER, but it feels long because Gaige and I have to listen to the sounds of grunting and lip smacking coming from his backseat. Yes, they went back to sucking face, gag me now. I love my best friend, who is more like a sister to me, but tomorrow she's going to be either in a lovey or a self loathing cloud, and I'll be the one that has to bring her back to earth so she can function.
After we check in with the nurse, we settle into the waiting room.
“Thank you for bringing me up here. I could have brought myself, but it would have been a pain and maybe they can look at your nose too.” Shit, when did I turn into the shy girl? I'm a dragon at work, yet now I get around a sexy guy who's into hockey and I turn into a stuffed wyrmling.
“Did you just say wyrmling?”
“Did I say that out loud?” I look at him wide eyed, embarrassed that my filter malfunctioned.
“Yes, yes you did. Care to explain that one? I don't know if you're insulting me, or cursing me.”
“Uh...it's a baby dragon.” I mumble.
“What? You'll have to repeat that, because it sounded like you said something about a dragon. If that's the case, what kind of spell are you casting on me?”
“I said, it's a baby dragon. It had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. My team calls me The Viper at work, and my boss tells me to be the dragon when I handle shit, but being around you, I feel more like a wyrmling. Knock it off with your charm, damn it.” My eyes go wide when I finish, because fuck my filter and it's ability to work.
“You think I'm charming? We haven't even started to get to know one another. You break my nose, possibly your wrist in the process, and I'm a gentleman about the situation. I haven't even turned the charm on yet, Dasia.” His eyes smolder and I want to melt.
Thankfully, before my filter can get me into more trouble, my name is called and we follow the nurse back to a bed. Gaige follows me, while Storm and Karter stay behind. I glare at my best friend, and she gives me a win
k in response. I'm going to kill her. She sees an opportunity for me to meet a guy and she pushes it.
“Hello, I'm Dr. Pettis. What seems to have brought you in.” A tiny sprite of a girl comes over to us after a nurse has taken my vitals and written down my information.
“I punched him in the face by accident.”
“I'm sorry. How do you punch someone by accident? Was he falling and just so happened to meet your fist on the way to the ground?” She looks at us incredulously, and then shakes her head. “I'm sorry, start at the beginning, please.”
So I do. I tell her about Storm and I dancing, the two shots that I've had, the stupid pick up line, which she tries but fails to not laugh at, then the whole punching thing. She pulls herself together enough to play with my wrist professionally, and decides to send me for X-rays.
While waiting for the doc to read my images, the silence starts to make me nervous. When I get anxious, my brain to mouth filter evaporates, kind of like in the waiting area. I stare at Gaige, and he returns my gaze. Then my brain betrays me.
“Did you know that everyone is worried that robots will take over the world, yet we should be worrying about when octopuses are going to make us their bitches?”
“Uh.. What?” He looks completely taken off guard and confused. So I embarrass myself some more with random facts.