Chapter 33
Kane lifts my bag into the overhead compartment like it weighs nothing, then nods toward the window seat. “You take that one.”
My eyes widen. “You want me to watch us rise thousands of miles above ground and picture catastrophic things?”
“If it keeps you from thinking too hard about anything else.”
I smirk and take the seat. “I suppose it is the lesser of two evils.”
He settles beside me and buckles my seatbelt. “It’s going to be alright. And I promise, I won’t try to sneak in a visit to your uncle’s so we can have a little chat.”
“Thank you,” I tell him. “I just want to put that awful family behind me.”
A month ago, I was eating library vending machine crackers for dinner. Now, I’m sitting in a seat large enough to qualify as studio housing while a flight attendant offers us Bloody Mary’s and asking what meal option we’d like.
Kane stretches his legs out in front of him like this is just a regular commute.
The cabin door closes with a heavy click, and my stomach twists hard enough to make me set my drink down.
Kane notices. Of course he does. He reaches across the center console and adjusts the air vent over my head. Then leans back and studies me beneath the brim of his baseball cap. “You’re doing the thing.”
I keep my eyes on the window. “What thing?”
“The thing where you pretend you’re calm because you don’t want the attention.”
I turn slowly. “You’ve known me for like five minutes. You don’t know my tells.”
“I’ve known you for like five weeks. And I’ve known your tells since the first time I sat across from you in the library.”
I roll my eyes and turn back to the window, even if his comment does settle me a little.
The plane starts backing away from the gate. My pulse moves with it, climbing higher with every sharp mechanical sound.
Kane slips his hand into mine without another word.
“I never flew before coming here two and a half months ago.” I breathe out. “Still some getting used to.”
He leans over and kisses the side of my head. “Is that all you’re nervous about?”
I shake my head. “It’s been over a year since I’ve seen him. And last time I did…he noticed things. My expression, my clothes. Asked about school, the money he and Mom left for me.” Tears prick my eyes. “I didn’t want him to worry. I didn’t tell him…”
“That your aunt’s been robbing you blind?”
I toss him a smirk. “Not blind.”
He stiffens and shifts in his seat, releasing a harsh breath that he tries to keep steady. His fingers tighten around mine.
“He’ll probably look different,” he says after a moment.
There’s a raw honesty in his voice that makes me look at him.
“After my dad lost everything, he started fading. He didn’t look like I remembered him.”
He turns to me. “Just want you to be prepared.”
I nod and rest my head on his shoulder.
The fenced-in building is low and gray, set far back from the highway.
I press my palms against my jeans. “This is it.”
Kane pulls the rental car into the visitor lot and parks, turning off the engine and sitting in the silence for a moment.
“I’m ready,” I say with a failed attempt at a smile. He watches me for a moment. No sign of the captain with the cool, cocky smirk. No effortless version of him that knows exactly what to say and do like it’s second nature.
“Don’t move,” he says, then steps out and glances around as he comes over to my side. Taking my hand, he helps me out and presses his thumb against the inside of my wrist, right over my pulse.
I smirk up at him. “Smooth, hotshot.”
“Okay, I think now I deserve another dark knight.”
I laugh, but it’s not convincing. “Not happening.”
His lip curves upward. “Not yet.”
My chest eases a bit as we head inside.
The visiting room is cold, as usual. The fluorescent lights hum a bit overhead but aren’t all that bright, which is probably better.
Everything looks so…grey.
We’re directed to sit at a square table with chairs. Kane tries to move one out for himself.
“Um…they’re bolted to the floor.”
He grimaces. “Right.”
I sit in the seat next to him, my stomach sinking. Kane touches my knee under the table.
My dad walks in and the tension instantly eases. I stand again. “Dad.”
His salt and pepper hair is now more salt. His beard actually looks a little trimmed. His smile is wide. “Lovebug.”
We sit and he instantly reaches for my hands across the table, only glancing at Kane once. “How are you?”
“I’m good. Really good. I’m sorry I haven’t written. It’s been busy at the new school.”
He nods warmly. “How do you like it?”
“It’s…new,” I laugh. “It’s…better,” I say honestly.
His shoulders relax. “I’m glad.” This time, he looks at Kane for a longer beat.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This is uh, Kane…he um…”
Kane stretches out a hand. “The boyfriend. Good to finally meet you, sir.”
Dad gives him a small grin and a nod. “Henry. Thank you for bringing her, uh… Kane. You a senior? Look like you play a sport. Football?”
“Hockey, actually.”
Dad grins wide with a nod. “A hockey player.”
Something feels off and I need to ask all the questions sitting in my mind for weeks.
“Dad, how are you? Have you heard anything from your lawyer? It’s been six months since you were supposed to be—”
“Umm…no. Well, yes. They’re giving me someone else. Something about me not cooperating and the guy wants a case that’s not served on a silver platter.”
“What does that mean?” Kane asks.
“Dad, you’ve served your sentence, what is going on?”
He clears his throat. “Paperwork, probably. Don’t worry about it. We’re almost there.” He shakes his head and focuses on me. “How are you? You eating right? Do you have enough money?”
“Dad.” It’s not like he can do anything about those things from in here if I say no. “I’m fine. Really. I’ve got a work-study job at the school. Keeps me busy, and it’s what I love.”
He nods but with a reservation in his eyes. Then he looks at Kane. “What position you play?”
“Center.”
“Captain?”
Kane grins. “Yes, sir.”
Dad chuckles. “Tell you what, I’m gonna spare you the speech to take care of my girl because you brought her here to see me. Which means you’re probably responsible, loyal…” he glances at me. “And you can’t take your eyes off her.”
My cheeks heat.
Kane huffs a small laugh. “Guilty. But I’ll spare you the speech. Isla’s in good hands. I wouldn’t hurt her.”
Dad looks at me. “What do you know about hockey?”
“I looked some stuff up when I first met Kane. Also, there’s something called a pre-game ritual they seem to be obsessed with.”
Kane smirks my way.
“Ah, tell me yours,” Dad asks.
I turn a smug look at my boyfriend. “Oh, it’s a good one, Dad.”
Kane challenges me but I know he won’t sell me out. “Truthfully, sir—uh, Henry. It’s just knowing she’s in the crowd. And we text sometimes. The messages are quite funny. Takes the edge off, if you know what I mean.”
“Hmm…I don’t think I want to know what you mean,” he grumbles.
The jerk. I feel the need to step away or Dad will see right through me. “I’m going to go grab a water from the vending machine.”
I almost feel bad leaving Kane alone with him. But Dad won’t bite.
I get a cold water from the machine and lean against the wall, needing to straighten my thoughts, because even though I know Dad’s the one who arranged to have me sent to Northwind, something’s still off about this whole thing.
I clear my throat. Isla stepping away is exactly what I was hoping for. “Henry, listen. I’m going to get to the point before she gets back.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m putting you in touch with my lawyer. He’s a contract lawyer but I’m sure he can take a look at your case.”
He leans back in his chair. “Contracts, huh? You goin’ pro?”
I grin. “Thinking about it.”
“This guy was my dad’s lawyer. He played for the Rangers until about a decade ago.”
Henry frowns.
“Lucas Andrews.”
“Huh, you don’t say.” He glances around and sits up, lowering his voice. “Thanks, kid, but I made a little deal with the devil. I’m in here another eighteen months for it. Don’t tell my daughter. I’m sure if you distract her enough, she’ll barely notice.”
I don’t even blink. “I know all about it. There was new evidence on your case and you took the fall—willingly this time. I don’t know how, but your old bosses got to you. They offered money, but instead, you asked for a favor.”
He stares at me.
“Unfortunately, private investigator findings aren’t always admissible in court.”
He clenches his jaw and glances at Isla through the window by the vending machine. “You need to let this go, kid. If I took the money, Isla’s aunt would just—”
“I figured. That’s why you arranged for her to get the hell out of there. Had a forged legal letter sent threatening them to get her to Northwind.”
“What’s an extra year and a half so my daughter can go to a good school and get far away from the people who were robbing her?”
“Without even talking to her?”
“I have nothing left when I get out of here. What am I giving up? My wife is gone, my home and assets taken from me. I just wanted to make sure Isla gets the life she deserves.”
I nod. But I was prepared for this. Nick, the private investigator I hired, said as much. Said he’s seen men like this before. Giving everything up for their families. And this guy checks all the boxes.
I clear my throat. “I know you didn’t commit the crimes you’re accused of. All I’m asking is you let me help. Take the call from my attorney when it comes.”
He stiffens. “Look, I don’t know what you dug up, but stay out of it. I don’t want Isla involved.”
“Why’d you do it in the first place?”
“I’m an honest man, always have been. But what the hell did I have to lose?
I was going down for it anyway. Three years minimum if it was all of us, just because I worked there and performed blind transactions.
Isla was screwed either way. But if I took the full fall, they’d take care of her.
Yeah, her mother had some money that went to her, but not enough to last her five to seven years. ”
He leans back like he has no regrets. “I took the fall to triple the money we had for Isla. And when I’m out—they’ll take care of me.”
“You can’t take their money. That’ll land you right back in here.”
He sighs like he’s given up.
“My lawyer thinks he can help. He just needs to look into some things, but he won’t do it until you sign some papers giving him power of attorney.”
I hear the door open and glance back to see Isla walking toward us.
“Fine,” he mutters. “But she doesn’t hear a word about it. I don’t need her getting her hopes up…or getting mad at me for—”
“They said our time’s up, Dad,” Isla says, and I hate the crack in her voice.
“Isla, I’m so happy you came. This made my entire week.” He touches her hand and looks at me with a nod. I give him one back.
“Babe, give me a minute,” I ask.
“Love you, Dad. I’ll see you soon?”
He nods and she walks to the door, waiting for me.
“Sir, I can’t get my dad back. But Isla can get hers. Eighteen months might be nothing for you, but it’s everything to her. You can’t let them win because they wrote one letter and made a few arrangements. Promise me you’ll hear my lawyer out. His name is Daniel Mercer. I trust him.”
He nods, looking at Isla waiting by the door. “Yeah, I’ll hear him out. Just take care of her for me if things don’t work out.”
I wait for the hesitation in my chest at making such a promise but it doesn’t come.
In its place is a profound pledge to do just that.
I don’t want to just take care of her. I want to give her everything she lost. Make up for the hurt and loneliness she’s been through.
I can’t rewrite what’s happened to her. But maybe I can make damn sure she never feels an ounce of pain again.