Chapter Eighteen

Hospital hallways always gave Lorenzo a sick feeling, even when he came to them perfectly healthy. Prepared to be strong. To hope for the best and shove all his fear aside. He couldn’t let Madison see how scared he was. Not before she was rolled in for surgery after the doctor explained to them, yet again, both the best- and worst-case scenarios.

And he had to be strong for Mackenzie, who’d broken down in tears the second Madison was out of sight.

This was what he was good at. Being the voice of reason in every aspect of his family’s life, calm and controlled, finding a way to make the best outcome happen. With his daughters it was usually simple. Listen to their problems, tend to bumps and bruises, give them hugs or advice as needed. Even now, just holding Mackenzie and letting her tears soak his shirt, he’d managed to convince her that Madison would be fine. Remind her how tough her sister was.

He'd always been there for them. But he couldn’t be with Madison in that room. Couldn’t watch over his baby girl as she went through yet another risky procedure. Alone.

Yes, he was here. Only…

In a quiet family room.

Out of reach.

Powerless.

He trusted the surgeon. He would have found another one if he didn’t. Still, leaving his daughter’s life in someone else’s hands was hard. Knowing that one mistake…

Don’t think that way. Take your own damn advice, Keane.

Stroking Mackenzie’s hair, he forced himself away from thoughts tainted with fear and doubt and back to his plans for the next few weeks. Mackenzie would have to start school without her sister, but he’d give her the first week at home to assure herself Madison really was all right. He’d already spoken to the school and her old therapist in Toronto and all agreed taking things slow would be best.

He’d take at least two weeks off, then find someone to stay with Madison while he was at work. The season starting would usually have him working overtime, but he couldn’t find it in him to care that much about the team. Not now.

Maybe the passion would return once his world righted itself again. He wanted what was best for the Cobras, which was part of the reason he’d begun looking into relocation. The market had hit a low across the league, and many teams were struggling. The smaller teams, like Dartmouth, most of all. Having a team here had always been risky. At this point there was no way for the Cobras to thrive. Even if he was willing to throw all his money into giving them a fighting chance to stay, his financial advisers weren’t optimistic.

Losing the tech industries he’d built across Canada, which employed tens of thousands, over his love of hockey wasn’t an option. He might keep some stocks in the team, maybe even stay on the board because he did believe it could become an amazing franchise in the right hands, somewhere that could offer a bigger fanbase, but he hadn’t gotten a chance to think that far ahead.

“Tell me what you’re thinking about.” Mackenzie sniffed and wiped her eyes as she looked up at him. “I don’t care what it is. I don’t want to think about all the graphic videos I watched of the surgery.”

Lorenzo shook his head and drew her to the blue padded chairs to sit by his side. “Why in the world would you watch that?”

“Because all those people made it out okay and it helped.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “And I just said I don’t want to think about that.”

“All right.” He leaned back in his seat, not sure being honest about where his head was at would help, but it couldn’t hurt. Mackenzie wasn’t keen on leaving Dartmouth. He’d been considering reasons to stay. “Focusing on work has been difficult, but I have thought about how much both you and your sister love living here. My advisers suggested opening another branch of LKM Tech in Nova Scotia. One that expands more on the gaming side of the company, exploring the technology to use both our more successful apps and our new role-playing games to reach a new audience.”

“That’s…cool.” Mackenzie shot him a dry smile. “You’re such a nerd, you know that? I still think you played D&D as a kid.”

“I didn’t. When I was young I wasn’t interested in the social structure of the games. Which I think you, of all people, would understand.”

“True.” She cocked her head. “But you built your whole company around people who were obsessed with stuff like that. The loner who didn’t get invited to play is now making money off the mean dorks.”

Lorenzo spat out a laugh. They’d discussed his company over the years, and he’d never had a problem telling his daughters exactly what he did, but they hadn’t shown enough interest for him to really get into this kind of detail.

Mackenzie was right, he had been a loner as a child. And well into his teens. He’d been fascinated by the gaming community, but realized they could be just as toxic and cliquish as the ‘cool kids’. His few friends had been like him. Studious, with big plans for the future and little interest in popularity. Oddly enough, all but one now ran their own companies in different fields. They kept in touch, even though they hadn’t seen one another in years.

The one friend who hadn’t gone into business was a surgeon in Toronto. Not an oncologist or a cardiac surgeon, or Lorenzo would have brought Madison to her without hesitation, but she’d recommended several amazing doctors, then talked him down after the first diagnosis when he wanted a fourth opinion, hoping he’d find someone who’d tell him his daughter was healthy after all.

The people who used his apps came from different backgrounds, but Mackenzie was right. Those who’d shunned him in school were likely among them. Not that they’d remember him, but his name was well known enough that if he’d bothered with his high school reunion, several would have been—as his daughters put it—shook.

He smiled as Mackenzie looked at him expectantly. “That wasn’t my intention.”

“But you fucking love the idea, right?”

“Language.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Cap.”

He tried to frown, but it was hard to lecture her when she’d finally relaxed. Besides, he’d walked right into that one. “I got that reference.”

“But you got the quote wrong.” She snickered, then rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m happy you decided we’re staying. This is home. And the team is awesome. I really want to see a game with you this year. If we go in the private entrance, no one even needs to know we’re there.”

Inhaling slowly, he nodded. “I suppose that could work. And the experience would be nice to share before the team is relocated.”

She went still. Sat up. Stared at him. “Relocated? I thought we were staying?”

“We are.” He spoke carefully, not sure what to make of her reaction. He’d expected relief, if not happiness. Every single day she told him how much she loved it here. Listed off reasons to stay, rather than move back to Toronto after he sold the team. Granted, she never actually mentioned the team, but he’d suspected she was pleading the case to making their permanent home in Dartmouth because she’d heard about the possible relocation of the team.

Since when did she care this much about hockey?

Eyes narrowed, Mackenzie pushed out of her seat. “So that’s it? You go to all this trouble to buy the team, have it for less than two years, then give up on it?”

“I’m not giving up on it, Mackenzie.”

“Yes you are! I thought this was going to be a family business. That I could be like Silver one day, helping run the team, coming up with new ideas that old rich guys won’t think of.” She blinked fast, her eyes tearing. “Did you even think about what this will do to her? To her family? To all the players who’ve built lives here? You’re just going to take that away from them?”

“Mackenzie—”

“Unless you’re gonna say you’re sorry and you’re not gonna do this, I’m done talking to you.” Mackenzie glanced toward the door at the sound of footsteps and let out a cold laugh when it opened. “Maybe you can talk to him. Unless you wanna be unemployed.”

Ignoring his attempt to reach out to her, Mackenzie stormed off. Lorenzo watched her go, too drained to make the effort to stand as Ainsley made her way into the room, holding a basket full of candy, DVDs, and treats surrounding a strange plush creature he couldn’t identify at first. Then he realized it was a Porg, one of the cute little creatures from Star Wars. Madison would love that.

The basket didn’t look like it had been put together in a store, despite the smooth purple cellophane and expertly styled ribbons. Ainsley had done this for his daughter. Likely with her son, which made it even more special. A detail Madison would notice and appreciate.

He inhaled roughly, finally moving to stand, but she motioned for him to stay put.

“I’d say my timing is horrible, but she needs some time to herself and you look like you need a friend.” Ainsley set the basket on the small table between the chairs, then sat beside it. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, but I should have avoided the conversation.” He sighed and shook his head. “Please know the sale of the team won’t change anything for at least a year. I expect Silver’s discussed the possibility of a move with you?”

“She has. And it worried me at first, but honestly…I understand. The more I learn about the team, the more I realize the market here can’t support it.” She fussed with the edge of the cellophane, then smoothed the skirt of her peach sundress over her knees. “A year will give me time to improve my references and find another job. I’m hoping I can find one here, because having to move again wouldn’t be ideal, but either way I don’t blame you for the choices you have to make.”

That hadn’t been at all how he’d expected her to reply. Even Silver exerted pressure on him to keep the team in Dartmouth. Working with Silver, he’d expect Ainsley to do the same, but then he considered why she was such a good fit as an assistant to the youngest Delgado sibling. She was steady. Logical. If she’d taken even a glance at the numbers, she’d see what he had.

Rubbing his hands on his thighs, he inclined his head. “I appreciate that. There have been so many toxic emails from irate fans of the team, going through them was beginning to cause my PA considerable stress. I had her put a filter on the account to weed out the most abusive ones. Even the rumor of a move has gotten so many people upset, but until things are settled, I can’t explain or confirm anything.”

“You don’t have to. People will speculate, but other teams have been through this and survived.”

“They have. But I didn’t realize Mackenzie was so fond of the team.” He rubbed a hand over his face and straightened. “This does change things.”

“You’re a businessman, Mr. Keane. I don’t see you making decisions based on how your teenage daughter feels about them.” Ainsley’s expression softened. “But I wouldn’t want to be in your position, because it would be tempting.”

Reaching out, he took her hand, relieved when she relaxed and let him hold it. He appreciated how she saw both sides, and didn’t see him as cold and calculating for doing what he had to for the team. She was right, Mackenzie’s reaction—now, more than ever—made rethinking all the plans he’d made with his attorney, his managers, his business partners seem easier. But that would be easy in the moment, simply to make his daughter happy.

Long term, he’d just be putting off the inevitable. And ruining any chance the team had to appeal to a new owner. The team could fade away, forgotten, as many had before.

He wouldn’t let that happen.

Once again, Ainsley had helped him sort through his thoughts. She had a calming effect on him he’d needed more than he knew. He smiled and brushed his thumb over the back of her hand. “We really must have more conversations like this. Preferably under better circumstances. I feel as though I’ve been taking your comfort and giving little in return.”

“Mr. Keane—Lorenzo.” Ainsley looked down at their hands, her throat working as she swallowed. “I know you’re hurting right now, but I came here to see how you were doing and nothing else. There’s a card from Silver with gift cards for each of your daughters. She wanted to do something more personal, but with her schedule—”

“Ainsley, look at me.” He released her hand, then held her gaze for a moment. “I am not expecting anything else, but I would like to know why you’re suddenly so uncomfortable with me.”

“Have you watched the video?”

He blinked at her, confused. “Video?”

She let out a soft groan. “You haven’t heard about it? After two weeks? Do you avoid conversation with everyone at the office besides me?”

“Of course not.” He frowned as she drew back and folded her arms over her chest. “There are rumors. You had a relationship with your former employer. It ended badly. I hardly see how that’s—”

“There’s a video of him spanking me before fucking me. It went viral.” Ainsley pressed her eyes shut, her voice cracking with the last word. “He was married. The scandal made it so I couldn’t find work unless I left the province. Even then…” She shook her head. “I got a job because Silver’s had her own scandals and took pity on me. And I suspect no one stopped her because Rebecca Bower reviewed my resumé, did the background checks, and gave her stamp of approval.”

Lorenzo inclined his head, unfazed by the information. It confirmed that some of the rumors were true, but he hadn’t been concerned about them to begin with. If anything, the employer should have faced harsher penalties, he was the one in a prior relationship. The one in the position of power.

As are you.

But it wasn’t at all the same.

“Do you think I’ve never been in compromising situations?”

“Do you think anyone would care if you’d been caught in them?” Ainsley gave him a tight smile, blinking fast. “I want you to see the video. I want you to know what people said about me. To know how many interviews I had that were either for more dirt, or because a rich guy wanted a piece of ass and I was clearly good for nothing else.” Her cheeks reddened even more, as though her own blunt words embarrassed her, but she pressed on. “You letting go of the team and not being my boss does change things, but you’re still a rich man with all the control.”

With any of the other brief power exchanges he’d been in, understood by him and his partner as temporary, he’d have taken those words as a cue to show his lover how much she’d enjoy being under his control. But this wasn’t a negotiation and Ainsley wasn’t his lover. Not even close. He hadn’t earned Ainsley’s trust. He needed to follow her lead. Respect her boundaries.

“I do understand, Ainsley.” He rolled his shoulders. “And you’re right. Being here, appreciating your presence and comfort, has made me complacent. I apologize if I overstepped.”

“You didn’t. It’s just getting too easy. The casual touches, the conversations that are very personal…” She folded her hands in her lap. “I can’t do this again.”

“I understand.”

“Thank you.” Ainsley glanced over at the gift basket, then pulled several envelopes from her purse and laid them beside it. “I should get going. But—”

As the doctor came into the room, Ainsley went silent, moving to stand at Lorenzo’s side as he rose.

“Mr. Keane, there have been some complications.” The doctor stared at the clipboard in front of him. “Madison has been stabilized, but her temperature dropped considerably and her blood loss is concerning. She’s received a blood transfusion, but while the procedure was a success, her red blood count is low and may delay recovery.”

“You knew this might happen…” Lorenzo shook his head, not sure what to make of the doctor’s words. “The surgery is over? Is my baby okay?”

“She is, but she had an adverse reaction to the anesthesia.” The doctor inhaled slowly. “She had to be resuscitated.”

“Resuscitated…” Lorenzo’s stomach dropped. Lips parted, he stared at the doctor. “She flatlined?”

“Briefly. She responded well, but I want you to be prepared because we won’t know until she wakes up what effect this may have had on her.”

She was alive. That was all that mattered. “Can I go see her?”

“Yes, but only one visitor while she’s being monitored. I’m concerned with possible infection considering how fragile her immune system is. We’ll have to adjust plans for her recovery and she may be here a bit longer than originally projected.”

“I understand.” Lorenzo started forward as the doctor turned to lead the way to the recovery room, then stopped. He didn’t know where Mackenzie was. His throat tightened as he looked back at Ainsley. She was right, they hardly knew one another. And his daughter only knew her from the dinner at Silver’s.

But there was no one else and he had to see Madison.

“I’ll find her, Lorenzo.” Ainsley put her hand on his arm. “After all this, we’re friends if nothing else. She might not be ready to talk to anyone, but I’ll be here for her either way.”

“She may lash out. She’ll be scared. She…she won’t mean it, I hope you know that.”

“Go.” Ainsley nudged him gently toward the door. “I’ll stay.”

Two words. Words he needed to hear more than anything right now. He’d filled every role for his daughter alone for most of their lives. Aside from his mother, he’d never accepted help. Never needed it.

Considering the conversation they’d just had, accepting Ainsley’s offer to stay might be too much. She still saw him as her superior. As a rich man with power over her. A man she couldn’t trust. Yet, she was asking him to trust her with one of the most precious people in his life.

Only to be here, so Mackenzie won’t be alone.

Tears wet his lashes, but he refused to let them fall. He inclined his head and said the only thing he could.

“Thank you.”

* * * *

Ainsley wasn’t sure where to start looking for an angry teenage girl in the middle of a hospital, but she’d promised to find her, so she headed down the hall, stopping by the front desk to ask which way Mackenzie had gone. With a sympathetic smile, the nurse gestured to the nearest exit.

Please tell me she didn’t take off. It was still early evening, so not dangerous per se, but in Mackenzie’s state of mind who knew where she’d go? And Lorenzo didn’t need to be worrying about both of his daughters.

The faint scent of smoke coming from the far end of the building drew Ainsley’s attention and she sighed as she spotted Mackenzie, standing near a few smokers. Fine, Ainsley had smoked a bit at that age, but the last thing she wanted was for Mackenzie to develop the habit because she couldn’t cope with her feelings. Thankfully, the young woman didn’t have a cigarette in her hand.

But when Mackenzie spotted Ainsley, she paled, whispering something to the young man she’d been talking to before rushing over. “Is it Maddy? Did something happen?”

Not a good time to lecture about smoking. Or ask about the boy, who looked familiar.

Ainsley put her hand on Mackenzie’s shoulder. “She’s being closely monitored. Your father is with her now. I told him I’d look for you… I think it would be best if he gave you the details.”

Swallowing hard, Mackenzie nodded. “I shouldn’t have taken off like that. I’m sorry, I just…” Her bottom lip trembled. “I’m so mad at him. And I can’t be mad. Not now.”

Squeezing Mackenzie’s shoulder, Ainsley gently turned with her to walk back into the hospital. “I’m no expert, but I do know you’ll feel all kinds of things, and that’s okay. Your father understands.”

“I don’t think he does.” Mackenzie sniffed, then rubbed her hand over her face as they reached the family room. She whispered ‘Thank you’ when Ainsley grabbed a box of tissue from a table nearby and handed it to her. “Heath came to see me and that helped. He gets it. But he said I shouldn’t worry about the team moving until I know Maddy’s better. That Daddy probably won’t be thinking about it much now, so there’s no rush.”

“He’s right.” Ainsley motioned for Mackenzie to sit beside her on the small sofa closest to the windows. The room was painted a welcoming, soft blue, but it was dim and there was a sense of sadness in the air. Maybe she was just imagining it, but being in the natural light made things seem a bit less dour. The little crack in the window let enough crisp ocean air in to chase away some of the medical scents surrounding them. “So that boy, Heath…is he your boyfriend?”

Mackenzie hesitated, glancing toward the door, her cheeks flushed. She leaned forward, speaking low. “You can’t tell my father you saw him. He’d freak.”

“Is that a yes?” Ainsley patted the hand rested on Mackenzie’s thigh, knowing that closed off expression too well. She had been a teen herself. A looong time ago, but still. “I should do the grownup thing and say he looks a little old for you and smoking is a very bad habit, but—”

“He’s eighteen.” Mackenzie folded her arms over her chest. “And he just started smoking recently.”

Ainsley inclined her head, then continued. “But I don’t know you well enough to lecture and as far as I know, you aren’t doing anything dangerous. I would only go to your father if your safety was concerned.”

“It’s not.” Mackenzie studied her for a moment, then relaxed. “Speaking of my father, is there something going on with you two?”

Feeling her own face flush, Ainsley struggled to school her features. Mackenzie’s questioning was nothing like Silver’s. Any woman her father got involved with would impact her life. She could either be completely against the idea or hoping for it. Either way, Ainsley had to be very careful with her answer.

“Your father owns the business I work for and we’ve become acquainted over the past two weeks.” Ainsley lifted her shoulders. “I won’t deny he’s a handsome man, but we live very different lives and simply don’t interact in a way that would lead to ‘something’.”

Mackenzie wrinkled her nose. “Are you worried that he’s stuck up because he’s rich? Honestly, I’m not saying this just because he’s my dad, but he’s the most down to earth rich guy you’ll ever meet. He saves most of the money he doesn’t invest and he doesn’t let me and Maddy get stupid expensive stuff. I mean, some of our gifts are worth a lot, but he doesn’t spoil us. I’m sure you get your son nice stuff too.”

“I do.” Ainsley really needed to change the course of this conversation, but she wasn’t sure what to say. Mackenzie was latching on to any subject but her sister, which made sense. She was nervous, and stuck with a virtual stranger. Ainsley hoped Lorenzo would return soon to talk to his daughter about her sister. Until then, all Ainsley could do was keep the girl distracted. “No, I don’t think he’s stuck up.”

“Good. So why don’t you let him take you out for dinner or something? Has he asked you?”

“I—”

“Mackenzie?” Lorenzo came into the room, wearing a blue cover-up gown over his suit, a face mask pulled down under his chin. His eyes were red, but he kept his tone calm and soothing for his daughter. “Sweetheart, there were some complications. I don’t want to scare you, but…Madison will need more time to recover than we thought. There’s a nurse here who’d like to speak to you. Hey…” Lorenzo pulled Mackenzie into his arms as she broke down, shaking and sobbing, her legs almost giving out, her father’s hold the only thing keeping her on her feet. “Shh, it will be okay. Listen to me, Madison is strong. She’s so strong and we’re here for her, right?”

“Daddy, she was supposed to be fine.” Mackenzie’s voice was small, almost too soft to hear. “I don’t understand.”

“The nurse will help you with that, baby. I need to get back to Madison—I don’t want her to be alone when she wakes up. You can come see her too, but first I want you to know what your sister will be facing.” He kissed his daughter’s forehead. “The nurse is a twin, just like you. Her sister was sick when they were little, so she knows what you’re going through. Ask her any questions you have, then she’ll prepare you to go in.”

“With all that?” Mackenzie stared at her father’s cover-up as though it terrified her. “Why do we need to be covered?”

“Just in case. Madison’s at risk for infection, so we need to take precautions.” Lorenzo put his arm around Mackenzie’s shoulders. “But that’s good. It proves Madison is getting the best care, right?”

“I guess…” Mackenzie stuck close to her father’s side as he walked her to the hall to meet the nurse. “I’m sorry I ran off.”

Lorenzo rubbed her arm. “It’s already forgotten.” He glanced back at Ainsley, mouthing, “Thank you,” before continuing down the hall.

Lowering her head to her hands, Ainsley inhaled slowly, hurting so much for Lorenzo and his poor girls, wishing she could do more. She’d said Lorenzo needed a friend and maybe that was the most important thing she could offer.

To be one.