“No, but… Dominik, he’s been off lately. We’ll figure it out, but he’d be upset if he knew you were distracted because of him. I’ll keep an eye out for him. When you get home, we’ll both sit down with him and try to see what’s going on.” She let out a soft sigh. “I don’t have all the answers, but Bran’s therapist keeps reminding me, no matter how much he acts out, the best thing we can do is give him stability. Heath’s quite a bit older, but if he feels like he’s losing control of everything around him…”
“He needs someplace he can go to where everything feels normal.” Dominik pressed his eyes shut and leaned against his locker. “I know. But I can’t help feeling like I’m not doing enough.”
“You are. And he’s going to be all right, because the strongest man I know has his back.” Her tone gentled as she told him exactly what he needed to hear. “Go win this game for him. Show him you can do that and still handle the insanity that’s never-fucking-ending. Then he’ll believe he can too.”
“You know how much I love you, woman?”
“Almost as much as I love you, man?”
He chuckled, then inhaled slowly. “This is gonna be a long night, but you made some good points. Heath is a professional. He’s dealing with a lot, but he’s going to want this team to go out strong.”
“You’re damn right he will.” She let out a light laugh. “Now go kick some ass.”
Dominik grinned and said the one thing he knew she’d only tolerate in this situation.
“Yes, dear.”
Chapter 28
Throwing his fist in the air, Jaxon shouted, bouncing around the owner’s box like he’d just scored the goal himself. Ford caught him as he rushed back toward the glass when the crowd’s roar got even louder.
“Yes! Kick his fucking ass, Mason! Hit him, White! Harder!” Jaxon threw out his fists as though he was fighting along with the men. Then he tipped his head back, grinning up at Ford. “This is the coolest thing ever, Dad. Thanks for bringing me.”
“You’re welcome, but watch the swearing. We don’t need the GM to have a heart attack.” Ford winced as Silver slapped his shoulder. “What? Tell me that shock on his face doesn’t look like he’s coming close.”
“He’s raised one lady, and is raising another. He’s not used to that language.” Silver hiked up her chin, but she couldn’t hold back her laugh for long. “Honestly, I think he’s still recovering from what Jaxon said he wants to do to the ref.”
Shaking his head, Dean went back to whatever he was discussing with the assistant GM, only pausing to exchange a look with Cort, who came over, dropping a heavy hand on Ford’s shoulder.
“You’re supposed to be a good influence.”
“I am. I made it very clear it is physically impossible for a ref to bend over that far.” Ford put his hand over Cort’s, watching his son press his face against the glass, so happy he was shaking with it. “Seriously though, I still can’t believe he’s here. This is…it’s fu—” He stopped himself at Silver’s arched brow. “It’s awesome.”
Silver gave him a tight hug. “You did good, big brother. He’s lucky to have you.”
“Not lucky. He should have had me all along.” Ford swallowed back the guilt he wasn’t sure would ever go away, but got easier to bear every morning when his son climbed out of bed in his own room, adorably grumpy and safe and home. “He’s adjusting well. I was nervous about the first meeting with the caseworker, but he’s a great guy. He said Jaxon already seems much more relaxed.”
“What about the court date?”
“Kyle never responded to the summons. Anthony called a few days ago and says he’s not staying there anymore.” Ford’s jaw hardened as he recalled the message from his father. He wouldn’t challenge Ford’s custody claim, but he wanted to speak to Ford as soon as possible. Probably because Oriana had told him to either back off or she’d reveal the dirt she had on him. “Hey, did Oriana ever tell you what she found out about the old man?”
“No. I think she’s holding onto it in case he ever tries to mess with one of us in the future.” Silver smirked and hugged his arm. “I love how vicious our family is. One of these days, she’s going to destroy him.”
“You, little sister, are bloodthirsty.” He kissed her hair, loving his family, no matter how crazy they all were. “I hope she never has a reason to, but it’s a relief knowing she can.”
The game ended, 7-5, which had Jaxon practically bouncing off the walls. When Silver suggested they go down to meet the players, he was five steps ahead of them. Ford laughed as they got off the elevator on the bottom floor and Jaxon bolted in the wrong direction.
“Hey, it’s this way, buddy!” He waved when Jaxon turned. Started forward as the crowd thickened. Broke into a run when it thinned and Jaxon was gone. “Jaxon? Jaxon!”
People started turning to him. Asking if he needed help. He ignored them, pushing, searching, calling his son’s name again and again. His blood ran cold. Where was he? He’d been right there!
“Ford.” Cort latched onto his wrist. Held tight when he tried to jerk away. “Ford, listen to me. Jaxon isn’t here.”
“What?” Ford spun around, shaking his head as Cort put away the radio he used to coordinate security. “Cort he was there.” Ford pointed, returning to where he’d last seen Jaxon. Maybe he’d gotten distracted by one of the concession stands. The store—he wanted a shirt, that’s all.
Cort grabbed Ford and pinned him against the closest wall. “My man at the door just saw him dragged out by someone who matches Kyle’s description. You have to fucking pull it together.” Cort shook him hard. “Ford, he has our son!”
Bile flooded Ford’s throat. He inhaled slowly, fighting back the terror ready to drown him. Cort was right. He couldn’t help Jaxon like this. He stared up at the man he loved, saw the rage and fear in his eyes, and nodded firmly. “We have to find him. Did you call the cops?”
“Security did as soon as it was called in.” Cort took a step back, then motioned for Ford to follow him. “We need to start looking ourselves. He can’t have gotten far.”
“I’ll get the guys to start looking! If we spread out, we’ll find him, Ford.” Silver called out before rushing off in the opposite direction, Dean close behind her.
The whole team looking would help, but first he had to figure out where Kyle would’ve taken Jaxon. Would he have a plan? It had been a week since Jaxon had been taken out of his reach. Ford should’ve suspected something when Kyle hadn’t tried to contact him. Hadn’t tried to fight back. He’d assumed Kyle was afraid of his past catching up with him, but what if he had nothing left to lose?
Then he thinks he has something to gain. Ford followed Cort outside, gritting his teeth as the crowd swarmed around them. The timing was perfect. Even with cops all over the place, keeping the streets clear, there were too many people to notice a man struggling with a little boy. And how many would assume it was just a kid throwing a fit?
A commotion at the far end of the throng drew his attention. People screamed as the cars swerved, one almost backing into the mass packed on the curb waiting for the light to change. Ford sprinted toward the commotion, Cort at his side, reaching the end of the street just in time to see Jaxon being yanked back from the open window, his lips forming a scream Ford couldn’t hear over the noise.
But he’d seen what his son was trying to call out.
He was calling for him.
“Dad!”
And Ford couldn’t reach him as the car sped away.
Chapter 29
The phone kept ringing and Mackenzie stared at Heath as he glared at the steering wheel, but he ignored the call. She’d never seen him this upset. When he’d come to pick her up at the park, she expected him to ask about her conversation with her father.
Instead, he’d asked why she wasn’t at home.
She didn’t know what to say to him. Didn’t he get it? She was fighting for the team for both of them! Wasn’t that what he wanted?
�
�You should answer that.”
Heath tipped his head back and let out a bitter laugh. “Maybe I should. It’s probably Dominik. I can tell him how badly I’ve fucked up. That I have the owner’s daughter—who ran away from home—in his truck.”
“So he can decide you’re too much trouble and give up on you?” Mackenzie covered her mouth with her hands, hating herself for her own words. She hadn’t meant to throw his fears in his face like that. Not when he’d trusted her enough to tell her.
But she’d trusted him too. And now it was like he didn’t care that she’d been ready to do anything for him. Including make her father hate her.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, but you’re not the only one who’s got something to lose.”
“What have you got to lose, Mackenzie? Your father will still love you when this is over.”
“Do you really think Dominik will stop caring about you?” She shook her head and put her hand over his. “He’s not going to hate you for falling in love.”
Going still, Heath gave her a long look. Bowed his head. “Mackenzie, I…” He groaned as the phone started ringing again. Picked it up. “Dominik—What? No, I’m still out. I… Okay. Yes, I can do that.”
He started the car and pulled away from the park.
She slid back into her seat and put on her seatbelt. “What’s going on?”
“Ford Delgado’s son was just kidnapped. All the players are driving around, looking for the car. Dominik asked if I can too.” Heath stared straight ahead. “We shouldn’t have driven out so far.”
“Tell me what the car looks like, I’ll watch for it.” She opened her window to make it easier to see the side streets. “And it’s good we’re here. This is the biggest road leading out of the city, away from Halifax. The guy who took him might try to hide out there, or he’ll head out this way, where there aren’t as many cops.”
“True.” Heath sped up as he hit the 118. “It’s a blue Honda. A hatchback. Old.”
There weren’t many cars on the road at this time of night, so it wasn’t hard to spot one, speeding up the opposite side of the freeway. It was too dark to tell if the car was blue, but it was definitely a hatchback.
“There! Heath!”
“I see it.” Heath did a U-turn over the grass and cut across to the other road. He sped up. “Call Dominik. Tell him I think we’ve got him.”
Mackenzie fumbled with Heath’s phone, redialing the last call, her whole body trembling as it rang. Her throat locked when Dominik answered and she saw the taillights up ahead, getting closer.
“Dominik, it’s Mackenzie.”
“Mackenzie…Keane?” Dominik cursed under his breath. “Are you with Heath?”
“Yes. And we think we’ve spotted the car. Heath’s following it now.”
“Tell him to stop.” Dominik’s voice hardened. “Let us know which direction and we’ll send the police. That man is dangerous and I don’t want either of you getting too close.”
“We’re heading Northeast—past Shubie Park.” Mackenzie put her hand on Heath’s arm. “Dominik says to stop following him. The police are on their way.”
“Okay, I… Bloody cunt! Hold on!” Heath spun the wheel.
The other car had jammed on the breaks.
The truck swerved just in time to miss it.
Then flipped.
Screaming, Mackenzie covered her head as the roof caved in.
Chapter 30
Ford stared out the window at the wreck of Dominik’s truck in the edge of the freeway, surrounded by fire trucks and ambulances as Cort drove past, following the police. Heath and Mackenzie had tried to help save his son, risking their own lives without knowing it. No one could have known. Kyle was more dangerous than he’d ever imagined.
And he still had Jaxon.
This was all on Ford. If he’d fucking spoken to the lawyers sooner, gotten the police and the court involved, all of this could have been avoided.
Only, what could he have told the police then? He’d known nothing about Kyle except that he was a disgusting, manipulative bastard.
I swore Jaxon would never see that man again. He trusted me! Ford irritably rubbed away the tears that spilled down his cheeks. His heart was being ripped to shreds, but the pain was nothing compared to what would happen if he lost his son for good. Giving in to his emotions wouldn’t keep him clearheaded enough to figure out Kyle’s next move.
He had to use the skills he’d gained while avoiding the law. Fine, he’d been caught stealing cars once, but that hadn’t been his first time evading the cops. He’d driven on roads like this, blue and red lights flashing in his rearview mirror, with only seconds to make a decision before they closed in on him.
The darkness of the tree line broke and Ford surveyed the truck depot, filled with stacked red and blue containers, all the lights off for the night. A metal partition and a ditch separated the freeway from the lot, but ended just at the next tree line began.
“Here! Cort, turn here!”
“What?” Cort glanced over, gave a sharp nod, then yanked back the handbrake as he spun the wheel. He slowed as they reached the end of the partition, driving close to the edge to avoid the steep ditch beside it.
Tire tracks cut through the long grass ahead of them, proving Ford’s instincts had been right. Staying on the freeway would make it easy for the cops to trap Kyle, and they’d likely set up a roadblock ahead. They’d circle back this way when they realized they’d lost him, but Kyle had bought himself time to ditch the car and head out on foot.
Cort turned off the headlights as he drove onto the paved lot. With the window open, Ford could hear the tires of their car passing over gravel, but nothing else. They could get out and search the area on foot, but the lot was huge.
Kyle could be anywhere.
“Come on, Jaxon.” Ford held his breath, sure he’d heard running for a moment, but there was nothing but the gravel. “Let me know where you are, son. I’m coming.”
The car stopped beside a massive stack of containers. Cort held up a hand. He was listening too.
Running again. A thunk of metal.
“Where are you, you little shit?” The voice came from beyond the containers. Kyle.
His footsteps were careful, almost soundless, as though he suspected someone might find him. The running came from farther away. Jaxon had gotten away from his uncle. Probably hiding, then running when he was scared he’d be found.
Ford’s pulse pounded in his ears. Cort grabbed his arm and motioned for Ford to take the left, while he took the right.
Reaching into his glove compartment, Cort pulled out a pistol. A new one.
Eyes wide, Ford stared at him. He’d turned in all his weapons when he’d been arrested. He might have been found innocent of manslaughter for killing the man who’d tried to rape Jami, but with his record, he couldn’t legally carry anymore.
“Don’t give me that look. My dad dropped this off when I told him you were in trouble.” Cort’s lips curved into the cold, deadly smile he’d always worn when he was on a job for Kingsley. “He says congratulations, by the way. And reminded me we always protect our own.”
Damn it, Ford loved Sutter—even though the man didn’t seem sure half the time if he even liked Ford—but he had to know that giving Cort a gun put him at risk of going back to prison. Ford wouldn’t stop Cort from killing Kyle if it came to protecting his son, but…
“No.” Ford grabbed Cort’s wrist. “I’m not letting you take all the heat. Not this time. Give me the gun.”
“Ford, you’re his father. He needs you.”
“I know he does. But he needs you too. If one of us has to kill Kyle, it will be me. We’ll figure out the rest later.” Ford tightened his grip when Cort tried to jerk away from him. “Let me do this, Cort. I hope we can take him out without it, but I’ll have a better defense.”
“This isn’t up for negotiation. It’s not registered.”
“I’m aware.” Ford pried the
gun from Cort’s hand, grateful that he didn’t fight too hard to keep it. “Besides, we both know you won’t need a weapon if you find Kyle before I do.”
Cort’s lips thinned, but he inclined his head. “True. Stay safe.”
“You too.” Ford slipped out of the car, holding the pistol at his side, glancing back once as Cort moved silently to the end of the containers, then stopped to listen.
Jaxon hadn’t moved in a while. He must have found somewhere to hide. But there were the quiet sounds of Kyle walking up and down the lot, searching between the containers, the moon breaking free of the clouds facilitating the hunt. He’d been more careful after the cops had passed, but the silence following must have convinced him he’d avoided detection.
He thought it was just him and Jaxon here. That he had time to track down the little boy.
And Jaxon thought he was alone.
Time to fix that.
“Hey, Kyle!” Ford pressed against a container, eyes on the shifting shadows a few yards ahead of him. “I thought you were good at this! Did you lose the one person you could use for profit? That’s fucking pathetic!”
The shadows stopped moving.
“Ford? I’m impressed. Don’t spoiled rich boys go crying to the cops when they lose their kid? How’d that work out for you?” Kyle’s footsteps were moving away from him. “Did you really think I’d let you take the kid I’ve wasted so much fucking time and energy on? Your father offered me money. A place in his business. Anything I asked for, just to have control of your son.” The footsteps stopped. “But he’s too careful. I looked into what you did with Kingsley. A man who wasn’t afraid of anything. All you needed was a little push and there was no limit to how far we could go.”
“So you thought I’d walk away from the life I’d built because…what, you convinced your sister you could raise my son?”
“I didn’t have to convince her. She didn’t give a fuck about that kid. The only reason she didn’t have an abortion was because she wanted the money for drugs.” Kyle let out a cold laugh. “Your son was born an addict. Did you know that? Oh…wait, of course you didn’t. Because the first time she held him, she thought she could be a mother. And that you would ruin his life. So she kept him away from you. Spent two years trying to get clean, but then she realized drugs were so much more fun than a whiny brat who just made her want to get stoned and stay that way.”
OverTime (The Dartmouth Cobras Book 9) Page 33
