The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 45

I felt the gnawing ache in my stomach as I sat in the dimly lit shed, weak from hunger. I returned to cutting at the rope, but my movements were less methodical and more robotic as I grew tired.

It looked like midday, but I wasn’t sure if that was a whole day that had passed by, or perhaps more than that. Either way, Bruce hadn’t been back and I felt oddly less comfortable with that knowledge. I didn’t know how secluded we were, so there was a possibility that just anybody could walk in with even worse intentions. without the threat of prying eyes.

My arms were growing sore from cutting, but I was prepared to push through it before the doors of the shed suddenly slid open. I jerked away from the shovel and maneuvered the chair so that I was facing Bruce as he walked in.

Of course, he wasn’t dumb enough to ignore the fact that I’d traveled across the room. He narrowed his eyes as he walked forward, a large bag dangling in his hands.

“Up to no good?” He dropped the bag at my feet and hovered over me, observing my ropes. He kissed his teeth and grumbled, “As I thought.”

I was prepared to give him a lousy

bag caught my attention. I stretched my neck, attempting to get a glance at whatever was inside. Noticing my curiosity, Bruce laughed and picked it back up.

attention. I stretch cuse, but the savory aroma drifting from the

“You must be hungry,” he said, his voice oozing with satisfaction. He kneeled down beside me and started pulling out the contents of the bag, which were just a box. and some utensils.

When he popped open the box, my mouth watered at the sight of waffles and eggs with a side of sausage links. He took the bundle of utensils and began sawing into the sausage.

“Bruce, please,” I said hoarsely, my throat crying for water.

He simply shrugged and stove a slice into his mouth, chewing painfully slow. It seemed that a whole hour passed as he went through the breakfast, sampling each. side with intrigue, as if acquiring a new taste. All the while, my stomach roared and grumbled, calling for its own fill despite the cheap looking food.

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Eventually, he finished it off with a loud burp that he blew in my direction. Then, with a smile, he tossed the utensils into the box and shoved it all to the side.

“Delicious!” he cheered, beaming at me. “But I know you can do better. Remember those breakfasts you used to make, Coco?”

I watched him, quietly taking him in. Those breakfasts were more so for my father and 1, especially as he got leaner over time. Getting the proper sustenance every day was a priority that he gave up on entirely.

“I hope you enjoyed the meal,” Bruce taunted, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Maybe you should have brought a snack?”

His words only served to deepen my resolve to escape. I had to keep him in at relatively good mood, which I was used to.

“So, what’s your grand plan, Bruce?” I asked weakly. “Why go through all this trouble?”

Bruce hummed as he picked at his teeth with his pinkie nail. He spit out whatever residue had been lingering. “Simple. I’m going to get my share of the money you won in court.”

shifted in my seat, wincing as the rope cut into one of the burns it had left on my wrist while I was cutting it. Bruce

1. in.

Bruce taunted, still seated beneath me like a petulant child. “I must say, you’re not as resourceful

snap back at him. Playing along, at least for

him.

only chance to gain any advantage or at

“It’s not every day I find myself in this kind of

hard to act tough, Coco. Too defiant, just like

at the mention of my late father, who Bruce seemed determined to bring

him,” I said, my anger flaring. “He

Chapter 45

them

yes. Your dear old dad. Such a

next words from slipping out. He was just trying to provoke me, to

him, you know,” Bruce continued, his voice dripping with venom. “Weak, pathetic, a burden

words stung, and I felt that familiar wave of self–doubt wash over me. He noted. my hesitation and

you’re just fooling yourself. No one cares. about

to sting as fresh tears threatened to spill. His words were all meant to prod at me, but they had broken through my resolve so easily. Only from Lucas and Aria did I ever

drawn out my tears. “I called lover boy, and he said he’d be here

in

last part, but I could hear the tension in his voice. He stood up and dusted off his pants before kicking the bag of food off to the side. Then he walked around and placed his hands on my shoulders. his tight grip a warning

and my heart pounded loudly in my ears. I strained to listen for

out her name from beyond the walls

flooded through me, knowing

a harsh slap to

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Chapter 43

his hand. Before I could scream, he pulled

his grip on the knife tightening. “Don’t

his tone urgent. “Evie, where are

kick against the shed’s wooden walls, hoping he would hear the noise and realize I was inside. But Bruce’s iron grip

not going to ruin this for me, Evie,” Bruce whispered, his face inches from mine. “Don’t fuck this

I tried to scream, but the duct

up on trying to silence me, instead rushing to the door and flattening. him against the wall beside it. Abruptly, the shed door squealed open, and

gaze finally landing on me. He was drenched from head to toe in rain water, making his face and

he saw me bound and gagged.

so fast,” Bruce warned, the knife gleaming dangerously in the dim light. “One step closer, and I won’t hesitate

His gaze locked with mine,