Chapter 72 White hallway

Chapter 72 White hallway
I ran toward the gate, my heart breaking. My brother. My brave, protector brother was lying in a pool of blood because he tried to be a hero.

I looked at Julian. He was standing a few feet away, looking shocked. But I saw his eyes. There was no sadness there. There was only a cold, dark satisfaction. He had done it. He had taken out the Captain.

Jaxson looked up from Leo. He saw Julian’s face too.

Jaxson’s eyes turned into something I had never seen before. It wasn't just anger; it was a promise of death. He started to stand up, his fists clenching, but the medics pushed him back so they could reach Leo.

"He’s losing too much blood!" one of the medics shouted. "Get the oxygen! Move! Move!"

They lifted Leo onto the stretcher. His eyes were half-closed now. He looked so small against the ice.

As they rolled him toward the tunnel, Jaxson stood there, covered in my brother’s blood. He looked at the scoreboard. There were thirty seconds left in the game.

Then he looked at Julian.

"You're dead, Sinclair," Jaxson whispered. His voice was so quiet, but it carried a weight that made the air feel cold. "I don't care about the game anymore. I don't care about the trophy. You're dead when I catch you outside."

I reached the edge of the ice just as the stretcher passed by.

"Leo!" I cried out, reaching for his hand.
He didn't answer. His hand was cold and limp. The medics didn't stop.

They disappeared into the tunnel, heading for the ambulance.

I stood there, alone on the edge of the ice, watching the red trail my brother left behind. 



The Emergency Room was a place of bright lights and cold metal.

It was the middle of the night, but the hospital never slept. I sat on a hard plastic chair, my hands still shaking. I looked down at my white rop. There was a smear of Leo’s blood on the sleeve, a dark reminder of the moment the ice turned red.

Jaxson was pacing in front of me. He hadn't taken off his hockey skates yet, he had just pulled the guards over the blades so he could walk. He still had his jersey on, though it was torn at the shoulder.

Every time the double doors opened, he jumped, hoping for news about Leo.

"He’s going to be okay, Jax," I whispered, though I wasn't sure if I was talking to him or to myself. "Leo is strong. He’s the Captain."

"He shouldn't have been down there," Jaxson growled, his voice thick with guilt. "I should have been the one to block that shot. I was closer. I saw the Husky coming, but Leo... Leo always has to be the hero."

"It wasn't your fault," I said, standing up to put a hand on his arm. "It was an accident. The game was moving too fast."

"It wasn't an accident," Jaxson said, stopping his pacing to look at me. His eyes were dark and full of fire. "I saw Julian, Elena. He didn't trip. He leaned into the fall. He wanted Leo to go down. He knew that if Leo was on the ice, the Huskies would finish him."

"It will be alright." I said again trying to console him and at the same time, hoping the words would be enough to calm my nerves.

He sighed as he stopped pacing to face me. "Your dad wasn't at today's game. Have you called him to inform him about Leo's injury?."

Before I could answer, the elevator dinged.

The doors opened, and Julian Vane stepped out. He looked perfect. He had already showered and changed into an expensive sweater and slacks. In his hand, he held a massive bouquet of white lilies. He had a look of deep sadness on his face that made me want to scream.

"Elena," Julian said, his voice soft and fake. "I came as soon as I heard the update. How is our Captain? Is he out of surgery?"

Jaxson didn't wait. He moved like a bolt of lightning. Before Julian could even react, Jaxson had him pinned against the hospital wall. The flowers flew out of Julian’s hand, scattering across the floor like broken glass.

"You snake!" Jaxson roared, his hand gripping Julian’s throat. "I saw what you did! You tripped him on purpose! You let them break his leg!"

"Jaxson, stop!" I yelled, grabbing his arm. "Not here! There are cameras everywhere! You’ll go to jail!"

Julian didn't fight back. He just leaned into the wall, a tiny, sick smile appearing on his lips where only we could see it. "Careful, Miller. Assaulting a teammate in a public hospital? That’s a one-way ticket off the team. And I’m sure the police would love to hear about the aggressive rookie who lost his mind."

"I don't care about the team!" Jaxson screamed, pulling his fist back. "I care about Leo!"

"Jaxson, look at me!" I got between them, pushing my weight against Jaxson’s chest. "If you hit him, Julian wins. He wants you to get arrested. He wants you gone so there’s no one left to protect Leo. Please. For me. Let him go."

Jaxson’s chest was heaving. His knuckles were white. For a second, I thought he was going to swing anyway. Then, slowly, he opened his hand. He shoved Julian away with a disgusted look and stepped back, his body still vibrating with rage.

Julian straightened his sweater and wiped a speck of dust off his shoulder. He looked at the flowers on the floor and sighed. "What a waste of good lilies. But I suppose it doesn't matter. As of ten minutes ago, Coach Reed called me. Since Leo is... incapacitated... I am officially the Acting Captain of the Vipers."

He stepped closer to Jaxson, whispering so low that only we could hear. "And as Captain, my first job is to clean up the trash. Enjoy your final days on the ice, Miller. Because once Leo is officially out for the season, you’re nothing but a memory."