“Trista had a lot of problems. She wanted Jaxon. Say whatever you want, but she decided to keep him.”
“She knew she’d made a mistake. She got pregnant again and followed through with the abortion. Jaxon showed her she wasn’t meant to be a mother.” Kyle’s footsteps stopped. “He was about five then and so fucking annoying she decided to kill his little brother or sister.”
The sound of something hitting the side of a container echoed over the lot, followed by a broken sob.
“She wanted me! She told me she did! She told me she shouldn’t give me a little brother or sister until she could take care of me.” Jaxon’s voice broke. “She tried, but she was sick. She’d tuck me in at night and tell me she was sorry.”
“Your mother loved you, Jaxon.” Ford followed the sound Kyle creeping along a container, just ahead of him. Jaxon was still too far away. He didn’t want Kyle’s words to hurt him anymore, but if Jaxon wasn’t quiet, the man would find him. “Son, I love you. And I’m gonna get you out of this. But you need to hide. Don’t come out until I tell you it’s safe.”
“Dad…I’m scared.” There was a swift sound of sneakers on gravel and Ford’s stomach dropped. “I’m sorry I didn’t stay close to you. I’m so fucking sorry. I knew Uncle Kyle would come after me. He told me I owed him.”
“You owe him shit, Jaxon. Listen to me. The cops are coming. And I’m right here.” Ford pressed his forehead against the cold metal of a container, listening to every footstep, knowing Kyle was close. He needed to keep the man talking. Focused on Ford, while making sure Jaxon stayed out of reach. “I promised he’d never hurt you again. I promised I’d keep you safe. But I need your help to do that. Don’t let him find you.” Silence. He bowed his head. Smiled. “Good boy. Stay where you are. Don’t move until I tell you to.”
“Aww, that’s cute.” Kyle’s footsteps sounded in his direction. “Jaxon, I know where your father is. If you don’t come out, I’ll kill him.”
Ford spotted the shadows shifting at the end of the container just in time to back up quietly behind them. But he knew Kyle had heard him. His confidence wasn’t fake. He knew enough to expect that either Ford or Cort had a weapon. He’d be avoiding them if he didn’t have one himself.
“Ford, you fucking stay out of range.” Cort’s voice sounded for the first time, at the far end of the containers. “I have Jaxon. He’s safe. The cops are on their way.”
Peering around the edge of the container, Ford spotted Kyle. Watched him turn, eyes wild with rage.
“You can’t have him! He’s mine!”
As Kyle started running, Ford stepped out, aiming the gun, an icy calm taking over. “Don’t you fucking move.”
Kyle spun around, saw Ford, and fired.
Ford pulled the trigger, even as his body jerked. Pain exploded in his side. He braced his hand against the container as Kyle ducked out of sight.
“Ford!” Cort’s voice was close. Too close. He had to stay with Jaxon.
Ford inhaled against the wave of black flooding his vision. Shook his head as hot blood spilled under the hand pressed to his side. “Cort, keep him safe! Swear to me you’ll keep him safe!”
Sirens sounded in the distance. Another gunshot went off.
Then there was nothing.
Chapter 31
The dark lot glowed with an eerie flash of red and blue lights as Officer Laura Tallent pulled up to the end of the line of massive containers. When the call had first come in, police dispatch had told her unit to come in quiet, but the report that the suspect, Kyle Macrae, didn’t have possession of the minor any longer made cornering him the best approach. They’d take him in alive if they could, but he’d already shot a civilian. And they weren’t sure where the child was. Only that a trusted adult was with him.
They’d been told to be vigilant. No one wanted to shoot the kid by accident. But the suspect was armed.
“I won’t tell you not to go. But come home to me. That’s all I ask.” Chicklet’s voice had been strained, tight with fear when Laura called, but she trusted Laura to do her job. And she’d promised to get Tyler home so he wouldn’t be close to this. Laura didn’t have to worry that he’d be one of the many people she had to look out for. “I love you.”
Chicklet’s last words stuck with her. Laura moved silently past the first container as the men and women from her unit spread out around the lot. Inhaled slowly to keep her pulse steady. She rarely discussed the risk of cases she was involved in with Chicklet. Did her best to keep her home life apart from it. But she never forgot the shadow that dimmed the light in Chicklet’s eyes every time Laura put on the badge.
“I love you too.” Laura had said it on the call. And whispered it again now, because she knew going in that the danger was higher than her usual cases. They were dealing with a desperate man who saw a child as his only way out. Cort had Jaxon, but if Macrae found him before they did, anything could happen. Cort had said Ford was armed. He wasn’t.
Laura hadn’t found Ford yet. If Cort wasn’t hurt, Ford must be. There were a dozen officers covering the scene. One was with him. They’d get him out. Her focus had to be on keeping Ford’s son safe.
“Drop the weapon!”
“Let me walk away and I won’t kill him.”
Two steps forward. Laura could see Macrae. Standing behind Cort, who was on his knees with Jaxon in his arms. Macrae’s gun was pressed against Cort’s temple. Another officer was trying to talk him down, while two more closed in from behind.
None could take a shot without risking Macrae shooting Cort.
“He’s my nephew. I won’t hurt him. But I’ll kill anyone who tries to take him away from me.” Macrae jabbed the gun against Cort’s head. “Try me. This asshole made shit more complicated than it needs to be. Over a pathetic piece of ass? Well, he’s dead now, you stupid thug. Do you really think anyone will let you keep my nephew?”
“You better hope Ford’s still alive.” Cort made a shushing sound as Jaxon sobbed against his chest. Stroked the little boy’s back. “He’s the only reason you’re not dead yet.”
“Says the man whose brains are about to be splattered all over the pavement?” Macrae let out a cold laugh. “Ford didn’t move after I shot him. What the fuck are you going to do about it?”
A low growl from Cort gave her seconds to react. Cort slammed his fist up into Macrae’s wrist. The gun cleared his head. Went off as Laura pulled the trigger.
The bullet cut across Cort’s cheek and struck the center of Macrae’s chest. An officer she didn’t know fired seconds later, hitting Macrae’s shoulder.
A THUNK and Macrae’s body hit the ground. Cort scooped Jaxon up in his arms and ran toward her, even as she closed in on Macrae and kicked his gun out of reach. The man wasn’t moving, but she wasn’t taking any chances. She pulled his arms behind his back, snapping a pair of cuffs on his wrists, taking note of the two officers standing a few feet away with their guns trained on his prone form.
One stepped forward to check Macrae’s pulse. “He’s still alive.”
“Get the EMT to send another ambulance.” She could hear the one they’d sent for Ford speeding away. Cort and Jaxon needed to be checked out too, but she’d bring them to the hospital herself, rather than have them wait. “See if you can stabilize him until they get here. Cort, come with me.” She eyed the bloody wound on his cheek where the bullet had grazed him, fighting not to wince. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t worry about it. I need to get to Ford.” Cort’s voice was rough, but she could tell he was forcing himself to stay calm for the little boy. He followed her to her unit, carrying Jaxon and whispering to him. “He’ll be all right. You’ll see. Your father’s tough, kid. He’ll keep fighting for you. He’ll keep fucking fighting.”
His words quieted Jaxon’s broken sobs. They were convincing, but as Laura held open the back door of her car for him to climb in with the child, she met his eyes and saw the doubt.
She didn’t have to warn him wh
at he might find when he got to the hospital.
He already knew.
Chapter 32
“I am never letting you out of my sight again.” Lorenzo crossed the hospital room to the bed in two long strides, wrapping Mackenzie in his arms as she broke down in tears. His heart was still in his throat, but she was in one piece aside from the nasty gash on her arm that had taken twenty stitches to close, and a bump on her head.
Still, he couldn’t help looking her over to make sure the doctor hadn’t missed anything. Dean had called him with updates on both Mackenzie and Heath when Lorenzo had been on his way to the hospital. He’d gone to Halifax, checking anywhere he thought an angry teen would go, never once suspecting she’d be on the road, completely out of reach.
He hadn’t been here when she’d been checked in. The general manager had stayed close to Mackenzie, but as grateful as Lorenzo had been, not a word the man said was assurance enough that she was all right. Lorenzo had to see for himself before he could tamp down the edge of panic.
“I’m sorry, Daddy.” Mackenzie clung to him with her good arm, her voice so small and broken he couldn’t believe just two hours earlier this same young woman had been giving him cold ultimatums. All he saw was his little girl, staring up at him. “I thought I was doing the right thing, but I went too far. When the truck rolled I thought I was going to die. That the last thing you’d ever hear from me would be me hanging up on you.”
“None of that matters anymore, baby.” He kissed her forehead, gently easing her back on the bed. “I’m so grateful you’re okay. That you’ll be coming home.”
“Me too.” Mackenzie sniffled, using the hospital blanket to dry her tears. Then she pulled the sleeves of thick white robe someone—likely Silver since she’d been here earlier—had brought her over her hands. “Maddy must be so scared. Did you talk to her?”
He nodded and held her hand, examining every little cut and bruise, careful to avoid them. “If you were going to be here longer, I told her she could come see you. Since the doctor decided to let you out tonight, she’s waiting at home with Ainsley and Sawyer.”
“Oh good. Sawyer will keep her distracted.” She inhaled roughly. “Ainsley’s not going to let me watch him anymore, is she?”
There hadn’t been a chance to discuss whether Mackenzie could continue babysitting, but he wouldn’t blame Ainsley if she said no. Mackenzie had been very irresponsible. It would take a long time for her to earn back the trust she’d lost.
From everyone.
But he couldn’t bring that up. Not when she was looking so pale and hurt and small in this bed. She’d also been a huge help in finding Ford’s son. That had to count for something.
He did have one question, though. One he couldn’t avoid. “Mackenzie, what were you doing with Heath Ladd?”
Lowering her gaze, Mackenzie toyed with the edge of the blanket, damp with her tears. “He’s my boyfriend.”
Lorenzo nodded slowly, resisting the urge to grind his teeth. She’d kept this from him because she was afraid of his reaction. He didn’t want her to think she’d been right to be worried.
“I know two years doesn’t seem like a huge age difference, sweetie, but Heath is a professional hockey player with a lot more life experience than you have.” He chose his words carefully. By the stiff set of her shoulders, she was already prepared to shut him out. “Are you sure a relationship is really what’s best for either of you?”
“I do. I love him and I’m mature enough to be careful. I’m also at the legal age of consent.”
“Yes, but…” He cleared his throat. Calm. He would remain calm and not lose his mind at the implication that his teenage daughter had slept with one of his hockey players. He drew in a measured breath. “Mackenzie, we’ve had discussions about how sweet boys his age will be to get what they want from you. That doesn’t mean—”
“It was my idea, Dad. I wanted to do it.”
“I see.”
“Do you? I know you still think of me as your little girl, but I’m growing up.” She gingerly rose, leaning against the pillows, her gaze level. Stubborn. “He’s a good man and I want to go see him now. Come with me. When you see us together you’ll get why he means so much to me.”
Damn it, can’t I just bring you home and hide you away from boys until you’re fifty? He did his best to smile at her. Nod. Whether he liked it or not, she cared about Heath and the young man was in rough shape. He’d cut both his hands when pulling her out of the truck, his focus on her even though his face had been sliced open by a piece of metal and one eye was swollen shut.
If she was determined to date Heath, Lorenzo wanted to make sure she didn’t sneak around to see the young man. Not that she’d be going anywhere anytime soon, but he’d save grounding her until she was recovered.
“Let me ask your doctor if you can leave now.” Lorenzo gently brushed her hair away from her face. “Then we can go see Heath.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” Mackenzie smiled at him, even as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
This time they seemed to be happy tears.
Those, he could deal with. Even if it meant he’d spend the next few weeks reminding Heath there were hockey teams in Alaska.
About half an hour later, the doctor released Mackenzie. Lorenzo walked with her down the hall, doing his best to simply smile and nod as Mackenzie told him how sweet and respectful Heath was, as though he’d never met the young man. As the owner, he rarely saw the players, so perhaps he should consider this no different than meeting any of his daughters’ boyfriends for the first time.
When they reached Heath’s room, Mackenzie opened the door, started forward—then spun around, almost slamming into Lorenzo in her rush to get away. Lorenzo stared into the room as Dave Hunt, the Cobras backup goaltender, pressed his lips to Heath’s, then whispered to him, tears glistening on his cheeks.
The two men were completely oblivious to anything around them.
Which was probably for the best. Lorenzo quietly closed the door, backing away and rubbing a hand over his face. Mackenzie was slumped against the wall a few feet away, sobbing as though her heart had been shattered. Exactly what he’d been afraid of. Only…not so soon.
“Come here, sweetie.” Lorenzo let out a soft sigh of relief when she came to him, letting him hug her. His daughter had been through more than enough tonight. “I’m so sorry you had to see that.”
“I should have known.” She hiccupped, shaking her head even as she pressed her face against his chest. “I thought he was just shy though and that’s why he didn’t want to… But when it happened, he was perfect. I…” She tipped her head back, fresh tears trailing down her cheeks. “I’m so fucking stupid.”
“No, Mackenzie. You’re a wonderful, caring young lady and he wasn’t honest with you.” He put his arm around her shoulders, leading her down the hall. “I wish I could say something to make it better.”
Blinking fast, she wiped her face with the sleeve of her robe. “I just want to go home.”
“Then let’s go, honey.”
“Can we pick up some ice cream on the way?”
“Absolutely.” He gave her shoulder a little squeeze. “We’ll get some for your sister too. A peace offering for making her worry.”
“That sounds good.” Mackenzie sniffed. “And Dad?”
“Yes, baby?”
“I don’t give a fuck what you do with the team anymore.”
Chapter 33
Akira woke at a gasp from Jaxon, instantly alert. She sat up, rubbing her eyes and staring up at Cort. Her pulse pounded in her skull as she took in the pallor of his skin, which made the harsh wound on his cheek with the row of stitches stand out even more.
But he was smiling.
Stepping into the hospital family room where she’d been with Jaxon most of the night, he reached out and took her hand in one of his, pulling her to her feet even as he put his other hand on Jaxon’s shoulder. “Your dad’s out of surgery. Everything went real
ly good. He’s pretty out of it, but the doctor said you can come see him if you want.”
Jaxon swallowed hard and leaned against Cort’s side. “Will there be a lot of blood?”
“No, no blood, buddy.” Cort brushed his hand over Jaxon’s hair, which was still a little damp from when she’d washed it for him in the bathroom.
Luke had come with a change of clothes for the little boy and stayed with them for a bit, distracting Jaxon with a video game, which had helped so much. For the first hour Jaxon had been panicked about having Cort’s blood on him, and kept begging Akira to help him get it off, even after a nurse had shown them to a shower for him to clean up, since he refused to go home. In fresh clothes, with Luke keeping things as light as he could, Jaxon had started to relax, stopping the game every once in a while to ask how much longer the surgery would take and seeming satisfied when Akira told him the doctors were taking their time to make sure his father would get better fast.
Akira had been tempted to pace and cry and ask what was taking so long herself, but having to be calm for Jaxon steadied her. When Jaxon had fallen asleep in her lap, she’d drifted off without realizing it.
She trembled as she realized Cort could have come in here, found her fast asleep, and woken her with much different news. Ford had lost a lot of blood. When she’d seen him rolled in, she thought he was dead. The doctor’s optimism hadn’t made any sense.
“Come on, love. I think you need to see for yourself that he’s really okay.” Cort tipped her chin up with a finger and kissed her. “I told you the bullet went right through. If it hadn’t hit his liver, he’d probably be out of bed already.”
OverTime (The Dartmouth Cobras Book 9) Page 34
