All Chapters of DANGEROUS ICE: MY HOCKEY NEMESIS IS MY SINFUL OBSESSION: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

I pressed the red button on my phone screen immediately. The loud beep signaled the end of the call, and the sudden silence in the kitchen felt incredibly heavy. My face burned with a severe heat, and I refused to look directly at the large hockey player standing across the counter. I wanted to sink straight through the floorboards to escape the total embarrassment.Michael placed his plastic coffee cup down onto the granite surface. He pressed his lips tightly together, but a deep chuckle finally escaped his throat. The sound echoed warmly in the small room. He was not mocking me at all, and the very awkward situation genuinely amused him."Please do not say a single word about that phone call," I pleaded quietly, covering my hot face with both of my hands. "My mother has absolutely no filter when she gets worried, and I am so sorry you had to hear her say those inappropriate things.""You do not need to apologize to me, Axel," Michael replied softly, walking around the kitchen islan

I pressed my foot down hard on the gas pedal. The heavy iron gates of the massive estate finally appeared in the bright headlights of the sports car. I reached for the digital console and punched in the security code Michael had given me yesterday. The metal barriers swung open very slowly, and I drove the vehicle directly up the long paved driveway. I hit the brakes aggressively and slammed the gearshift into park near the front stone steps. Michael practically fell out of the passenger seat before I even turned the engine off. He stumbled across the manicured lawn and hurried toward the massive front doors. His breathing sounded completely wrecked, and his wide shoulders shook violently under his dark hoodie. I pulled my cell phone from my pocket with trembling fingers. I quickly opened my text messages and found the contact number for Gabe. *Axel:* Do not come to the house tonight. Your brother is sick again. I will take care of him, but you need to stay away until tomorrow morn

The shocking confession hung heavily in the quiet bedroom. I lifted my head from his chest and stared down at his face. The faint light coming from the hallway illuminated the severe pain in his dark eyes. He was completely serious, and he did not look away from the ceiling. "What do you mean she ran away?" I asked softly. I shifted my body slightly so I could look at him better. Michael swallowed hard, and his throat clicked audibly in the silent room. He kept his heavy arm wrapped securely around my waist. "My father is a very cruel man," Michael started slowly. His voice was completely flat, completely drained of all emotion. "He controls everything and everyone around him. He completely isolated my mother after they got married. He restricted her bank accounts, and he monitored her phone calls. She was entirely trapped inside this massive house."I listened quietly. A severe ache formed directly in my chest. I could not imagine living in such a terrifying situation. "She event

The news of his sudden departure settled over the dining table, wrapping around us like a heavy blanket. We had spent the last two years fighting each other, and we had finally admitted our real feelings just hours ago. Now, the public relations team was tearing us apart to capitalize on a viral photograph. Gabe put his fork down and broke the tense silence. "I can clean up the kitchen while you two go upstairs. You should probably start getting your clothes ready.""Thank you, Gabe," I replied softly. We left the kitchen and walked up the massive wooden staircase together. The playful energy from our morning shower had vanished. Michael walked into his dark closet and pulled a large black suitcase down from the top shelf. He threw the heavy luggage onto the mattress and unzipped the main compartment. He did not say a word as he started grabbing thick sweaters and expensive dress shirts from their hangers. He tossed the clothing into the suitcase without bothering to fold anything.

I stared at the threatening message from Silas for a long time. The digital text felt like a heavy physical weight inside my quiet bedroom. He knew my exact dorm location, and he wanted me to feel unsafe in my own space. Before I could type out a firm rejection, my screen switched to an incoming FaceTime call. Michael's contact name flashed across the display. A huge wave of relief washed over my chest. I quickly swiped the green button to accept the video call and propped the device against my pillows.Michael appeared on the screen. He sat on the edge of a hotel bed wearing a plain white t-shirt. Dark circles rested beneath his eyes, making him look exhausted. He rubbed his face with his free hand and offered a small, tired smile when he saw me."You look worn out," I noted softly. I pulled the blankets up to my chest and shifted my position on the mattress. "Did the flight go okay?""The flight was fine, but Vanessa scheduled a press conference the minute we landed," Michael repli