Arrow Hawk: Gronk Smash! (Book 5)

Vladimir Tarasenko, Peacekeeper - Vladimir Tries To Talk To Gronk

Kelly leaves the headquarters at once and tracks down Vladimir, who is in Chicago warming up with his team. Kelly enters the United Center and walks up to the boards and the rink. She instantly spots her boyfriend flying around the rink, taking an occasional slapshot at the goal. She can't help but smile at him as she watches him laughing and skating around.

God, those legs and arms and hands....and that ass! Kelly thinks to herself. You're so hot Vladi baby! What did I ever do to deserve you? Lost in her thoughts and helplessly mooning over him, she doesn't realize as he spins around spotting her and comes up to the boards. He removes his helmet and shakes his short spiky blond hair out...or as much as he can "shake" out.

"Maybe it's because you said hi to me and I thought, 'oh, she's too precious and cute'?" Vladimir jokes, smiling at her.

"Oh God, you heard my thoughts didn't you?" Kelly exclaims, blushing like a helpless romantic.

"Only the "You're so hot Vladi baby! What did I ever do to deserve you?" part. But it's alright... it's all the telepathy right?"

"Yeah. If Hawkley or anyone ever found out I told you about my telepathy..."

"Hey," Vladimir says, smiling. He puts his helmet back on and clips it in place. "Don't worry. Only we know." He holds up a gloved hand to the boards. "I'll never tell a soul and I like knowing. It only makes you more hotter and cooler... if that makes any sense!" He wrinkles his nose up, confused at his own words.

Kelly laughs and puts her hand on the boards, mirroring his larger gloved one. "You're too cute Vladi."

"So, what's up? Why are you here?" Vladimir asks her, dropping his hand and sliding his glove off to wipe his face and push his helmet back.

"A football player named Rob Gronkowski, the tight end for the New England Patriots is this gigantic Hulk-like creature and he's wreaking havoc on Downtown Boston. The Hockey Avengers all tried to stop him but he ended up injuring Portal pretty badly and killing Patrick Kane, besting their own robust Avenger, Russiosteel, and basically overpowering them all. Even though it was essentially sixteen superheroes (and a superdog) against one giant man, they were no match for him."

"Wow. So, what are you doing here? Are you here to protect me or..."

Kelly looks at him, closes her eyes briefly and then nods. "It's the only way...it's the best way...we're wondering if you would mind trying to talk to Gronk and trying to figure out who is controlling him?"

Vladimir stares at her.

"Look, it was Tyler Seguin's idea...and Jamie Benn's. Feel free to check them on the ice later on or something...but it is a good idea and the only one we have...and...and..." Kelly trails off, looking to the side of her, breaking eye contact with him.

Vladimir smiles. "It's okay. I'll do it!"

Kelly snaps her head up, blinking in shock. "You will?"

"Sure! Tyler and Jamie have a point and I wouldn't dream of saying 'no' to helping the Hockey Avengers, you or the world out. I don't back down from an adventure Kelly, you know that." He leans against the boards, grinning. "I'd love to help out."

"Great!" Kelly exclaims.

"Give me a sec to tell Coach and the boys and then I'll be right out! Also, the only thing I ask of them is that they can guarantee that I'll be back in time for the game tonight!"

Kelly laughs. "Of course. I'll make sure of that!"

"Thanks." He winks at her, skates over and tell his teammates and Coach and then heads down the tunnel to the locker room.