Chapter Twenty-Nine

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.