BREAKAWAY (The Dartmouth Cobras) (46 page)

"You're always like this when Landon gets hurt."

"I am not." Silver’s gaze slipped back towards the ice, smudges of dark makeup under her eyes making her look even more pale and tired than usual. Suddenly her eyes went wide and she giggled as she rubbed her swollen stomach. "This kid is going to be a handful. I swear there's a target on my bladder and he never misses."

Nodding, Dean's thoughts drifted to another kid who was a handful. Only, she was an adult now and he had no idea how to handle her. For days he'd tried calling Jami, but she wouldn't take his calls. And to be honest, he couldn't blame her. It had taken him awhile to accept it, but between Silver and his mother, he'd been forced to face the fact that he'd gone too far. With what he'd heard about the situation between Ramos, Carter, and his daughter, she could probably have used his guidance. His support. But he'd been too quick to judge and she wouldn't accept his help anymore.

But she’ll accept Ford’s?

Right now she was in one of the press boxes, watching the game with him. Probably listening to all his lies because he could be oh so sympathetic about having a father that tried to control him.

Shit. If I can be compared to either Delgado or Kingsley, I really fucked up.

But he couldn't discuss any of this with Silver. All Silver saw when she visited her father was a man too sick to remember who she was. A man who broke her heart by calling her by her mother's name, or asked to see his son. Not Ford. He wanted Antoine, who had been dead for thirteen years.

He seemed to find peace when Ford visited though. Ford humored him and answered to the name of the brother he'd never known. Dean could almost feel sorry for the young man. But he knew Ford was just in it to gain control of the team. Not for the money, because there was nothing left.

Silver sighed and tugged on his tie, loosening it. "I think I should be the one asking if
you're
okay. Is it Jami, the team, or next year's budget stressing you out? Or should I just assume all of the above."

 
"You shouldn't worry about any of it, my little dragonfly." He tapped her nose and smiled. "The doctor said no stress."

"Not knowing what's going on is stressing me out." Silver frowned and peered down at the ice. "We've got a good team. I may not like Ford, but his—the Kingsley money has bailed us out a few times this year. There are new investors interested in the team. Fine, it will be a pain in the ass to have a committee wanting to make all the decisions, but even if my family sells half their shares, you'll still have controlling interest from what my dad sold you. Nothing will change."

"You're probably right." He kissed her forehead, relieved for once that she didn't pay much attention to the numbers. The Kingsley's had spent the last year buying out the other investors. By next season, Ford would be the one calling the shots. Unless the Delgado's didn't sell, and that was looking more unlikely every day. But he and Landon had agreed not to break the news to Silver until after she had the baby. He rested his hand on top of Silver's belly, chuckling as a foot or a fist bumped against it. "She's an active little one. I still think it would be a good idea to stay with my mother over the summer—just to make sure you can get some rest."

"Dean, I love your mom, but really, no thanks." She relaxed against his side. "I want our baby at home. I want to see him in that crib you and Landon built. I want to cuddle him at night with you both in our great big bed. I want to show everyone I can be a great mommy."

Our baby.
Dean's chest tightened as he lowered his face into Silver's hair. There was a time when he'd been concerned that Landon and Silver sharing a child would force him to the outskirts of their relationship, but not anymore. They both included him as a part of their family without a second's hesitation. Landon referred to the baby as 'our daughter' and teased Dean about being a father again in his old age. Silver would say 'our son' was lucky to have two amazing daddies to teach him how to be a man. Not to say things were perfect, but no matter how often they disagreed, no matter how many times tempers flared, he never felt for a moment that this child would be anything other than his own.

 
"You will be a great mommy."

She smirked and laid her hand over his on her stomach. "I'm glad you agree."

A comfortable silence settled around them as the third period started and they both turned their focus to the game. The Cobras played well, but the young defense, scrambling to keep up since both Ramos and Mason had been ejected, left Landon exposed more often than not. He seemed to thrive under the pressure, frustrating the Sabres best scorers with impossible saves.

Demyan and Carter played double shifts for the first half of the period, but for some reason they didn't click as they had all season. As the clock wound down, Dean cursed under his breath, watching easy plays fumbled because neither man would fucking pass. He didn't know if there was some kind of rivalry between them, or if each simply wanted the glory. Either way, he was relieved when Tim benched them and sent out Perron, Pearce, and Hjalmar, a big Swedish forward who might not be exceptional, but played with grit and heart, never afraid to crash the net or fight his way into the corners.

Perron led the last charge, with Hjalmar and Pearce on his heel. Right down center ice, passing over the line and driving forward to receive a long pass. He tucked the puck back to Hjalmar, then hovered close to the crease, stick on the ice. The
Sabres'
backup goalie shoved at him, sliding out a little too far, then skirting back as though reading the play and deciding he'd made the wrong move. Hjalmar and Pearce passed back and forth on the line. Pearce took a shot and surged forward as Perron trapped the rebound. Perron feinted another shot, let the puck skid back to Pearce, then stepped aside as Pearce let it fly.

Silver screamed and hopped up and down as the red light flared. Below, Pearce brought his glove to the edge of his helmet as though tipping a cowboy hat. He grinned as his teammates ploughed into him, but didn't look overly excited.

Dean had to admit, he liked the man. He was steady. Serious. And had the attitude that the game wasn't over until his team was skating off the ice with a win.

With a one point lead, and two minutes to go, not a man out there had a right to believe otherwise.

Center ice faceoff, then a brutal play that had two Cobras skating slow and stiff, and the rest of the team chasing the Sabres around the defensive zone. Landon stood tall and alert, not watching the puck, but the plays, like a chess player always three moves ahead. He made a save. The rebound trickled away. Bodies crashed the net and he dropped to cover, stretching his pads out to the posts. The ref blew the whistle just as the buzzer sounded.

The pile covering Landon moved slowly. Every eye in the forum was on Landon, half in the net, twisted awkwardly with his arm tucked under his curved body.

Landon rose up to one knee and held up his glove.

No goal.

Screaming fans flowed up from their seats in a wave. Energy exploded from the stands, blasting on the ice as the team converged into one wild, hollering crush. Lights and music flashed and boomed from all around.

Holding his breath, Dean moved closer to the glass. He watched Landon laugh. Accept shoulder slaps from his teammates. Landon hid it decently, but Dean knew him well enough to see he was hurt. And he still hadn't tried to stand.

Carter clasped his hand to Landon's and tried to pull him up. Landon's leg gave out. He hunched over on hands and knees.

"No." Silver covered her mouth with her hands.

Trainers rushed onto the ice. The cheers from the crowd died down.

Face white and strained with pain, Landon let Carter and a trainer lift him up. Arms over their shoulders, he leaned heavily on them, only one skate on the ice. The crowd clapped in uncertain spurts, clearly happy that he hadn't needed a stretcher, but aware that he'd been injured.

Which changed everything.

"I have to go see him." Silver turned towards the door. All the color left her face. She gasped, then pressed a hand against the bottom of her stomach. "Dean . . . Dean, something's wrong!"

Dean's heart stopped. His hands shook as he came up to Silver's side to support her. "The baby?"

"Fuck it hurts, Dean!" Sweat beaded up on Silver's forehead as she bent over. "It's too early!"

Way too early.
Dread wrapped talons around his throat. He took slow, measured breaths and did his best to sound calm. "
Shh
. You'll be okay, sweetheart. You'll both be okay." Dean lifted Silver up and cradled her in his arms. He carried her out to the hall and spotted a security guard. The man stuttered and tripped towards them, but calmed at Dean's hard look. "Can you please call an ambulance for Miss Delgado?"

"Yes, sir!" The man pulled out his phone and spoke as he ushered Dean towards the elevator. "There's going to be a crowd. I'll have my guys clear out the hall on the bottom floor . . . ." He paused as he listened to whoever was on the phone. "There's already an ambulance coming in for Bower. Maybe they should take her first?"

"No!" Silver pressed her eyes shut. Her teeth raked at her bottom lip, drawing blood. "Dean, tell him no!"

"I can't, Silver. Landon will never forgive me if I don't take care of you and the baby."

"What about him? He's hurt!"

"He probably just pulled something in his leg." Dean arched a brow when Silver shook her head. "You need to relax. Freaking out won't be any good for either of you."

Silver nodded and inhaled, then winced and dug her nails into the side of his neck. "Oh god! If anything happens to the baby . . . ."

"Stop. Silver, listen to me. The baby is strong and healthy." Dean stepped off the elevator and glanced over to where two guards held the door open to the parking lot. "Now it's up to you to be strong. When Landon sees you, you need to convince him everything will be okay. Because it will be."

"I'm making things worse, aren't I?"

"You're allowed to be scared, dragonfly. But be brave for him." Dean stepped past the door and plastered on a calm mask as he caught sight of Landon. The man had gone from white to green. He tried to push away from Carter and the trainer. Dean shook his head. "Stay put, Landon."

"Silver!" Landon elbowed Carter and lunged forward. He snarled when Carter and the doctor hauled him back. "Dean, you take care of her! Don't you leave her!"

Dean lowered Silver to the stretcher, then straightened. He smoothed Silver's damp hair away from her face, eyes locked on Landon. "I won't. Fuck, you know me better than that."
 

"I know." Landon pressed his lips together, his whole body shaking as he slumped into Carter and bowed his head. "Tell her it's
gonna
be fine. Tell her I'll be with her as soon as I can."

Silver jerked away from the medics, tossing her head back in pain, rasping in air over a whimper. She was in pain, but doing her best not to scream. Dean swallowed and took her hand, so fucking proud of her because he knew she was holding back for Landon.

 
Her words came out hoarse, but with enough strength to tell Landon, to tell them all, that she'd get through this. "Landon, your son might be with us tonight. You get yourself fixed so you can hold him."

"I will." Landon pressed his eyes shut, and didn't struggle as Carter latched onto the back of his head and whispered something that seemed to calm him down. He didn't seem to notice the cameras flashing from the parasites that had made it into the lot. "I'll see you soon,
mon
amour. And Dean is with you. You won't be alone."

"Neither will you." Silver hissed in a breath through her teeth, then looked at Carter. "Stay with him."

"I've got nowhere else to be." Carter grinned, then used a fist to rub his eyes. "Shit, you two are killing me. If you make anyone else that kid's godfather, I'll never forgive you."

Landon let out a choked laugh. "You've got the job. If—"

"Don't start with that shit, man." Carter blinked fast. "He's tough. He's got to be." He inhaled sharply. "He's yours."

Dean climbed into the ambulance with Silver, head bowed as the EMTs checked on Silver, lips moving soundlessly.
Hang in there, little one. We need you to be strong.

He never released Silver’s hand. The way she gripped and wrenched at his fingers he wouldn't be all that surprised to find out every bone was broken, but he didn't care. He needed to know Silver would be okay.

And then he needed a moment to be with Landon. To erase the fear he'd seen in his eyes. Months ago he'd gone to the grave of Landon's son with him. He accepted that a few times a year they would all make the trip.

But he refused to believe that they'd have to make two trips. Fate couldn't be that cruel.

Chapter Twenty One

Jami's vision swam with tears, and more wet her cheeks. She held her phone to her ear, hardly breathing as her father spoke. In the player's lounge, men huddled around where she sat curled up in Sebastian's lap, all waiting to hear if the baby was okay.

She lifted her head to look around the room. "The baby's okay."

Sebastian's big arms wrapped around her and the men shouted out their relief. Her father went silent. She held up a finger.

"Dad?"

"They gave Silver a shot to hold off labor. Which is good." He father paused. "I heard the men—you might as well tell them since they're with you. Landon tore muscles in his thigh. He won't be finishing the playoffs."

Who cares about the playoffs?
Yeah, she hated that Landon was hurt, but the baby was alive. Even though she knew the kid wasn't her dad's, it was still her little brother or sister in every way that counted. What happened with the next game, with the season, didn't matter. Not much mattered besides that little baby.

After letting everyone know what was going on with Landon, Jami cupped her hand around the phone, speaking quietly. "Do you want me to come down? I want to, but I've been such a bitch—"