Chapter Thirty-Two

“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.”