Crosschecking Hate

Chapter Eight :Rowan

I didn’t sleep.

Not even for a second.

The image of Elena in Luca’s arms replayed in my head all night like a curse I couldn’t shut off.

Her flushed cheeks.

Her hands gripping his shirt.

The way she looked at him like she trusted him completely.

I hated it.

No—

I hated him.

Luca Devereux had everything I never could keep.

Control.

Loyalty.

Love.

Meanwhile I destroyed every good thing that got too close to me.

I sat alone in the empty hockey arena long before sunrise, elbows resting on my knees while the cold air bit through my hoodie.

Usually the ice calmed me down.

Today it did nothing.

Because all I could think about was her.

Elena Vale.

The girl who looked at me like she knew I was dangerous and stepped closer anyway.

I should stay away from her.

I knew that.

But the problem was…

I couldn’t.

I saw the way she froze when I touched her.

The way her breathing changed when I got too close.

And last night—

God.

Last night she looked at me before I walked away.

Not Luca.

Me.

Like some part of her wanted to follow me.

That thought alone nearly drove me insane.

“You look like hell.”

I glanced up to see my teammate Mason walking toward me carrying two coffees.

“No kidding.”

He sat beside me carefully.

“You and Devereux almost killed each other.”

“He started it.”

Mason snorted. “You were staring at his girlfriend all night.”

I didn’t answer.

Because there wasn’t anything to say.

“She’s trouble,” he warned quietly.

I laughed bitterly.

“I know.”

The problem was…

I liked trouble.

Especially when it had dark hair, sharp brown eyes, and a mouth that looked dangerous when she got angry.

I leaned my head back against the cold glass behind me and closed my eyes briefly.

Big mistake.

Because immediately I pictured her again.

Pressed against that hallway wall.

Breathless beneath Luca’s hands.

My jaw clenched painfully.

Jealousy burned through me so violently it almost felt physical.

I’d never wanted something that belonged to someone else before.

Not like this.

And the worst part?

I knew Luca loved her.

The guy would burn the entire world down for her.

But every time Elena looked at me…

I started wanting impossible things.

Things that would destroy all three of us.

My phone buzzed suddenly beside me.

Unknown Number.

I almost ignored it until another message appeared.

Unknown Number:

Stay away from her.

I stared at the screen.

Then laughed quietly to myself.

Because Luca Devereux clearly didn’t understand one thing yet.

I was trying.

And failing.