Oh, right, I hadn’t explained yet. “Daddy sold—maybe he gifted, I haven’t read the contract yet—the ice complex to me.” My excitement shone through my grin. “This place is mine now!”
His eyes widened. “That’swhat he meant with talking to the lawyers? Holy shit, Princess, that’s amazing—you own the ice complex now? What are you going to do? Are you going to run it?”
“I haven’t had time to think about it!” I laughed. “Ilikemy work at Fairbanks, but…” Wincing, I remembered what my father had said to me in my office. “I think, maybe, all these years I’ve been worried about the wrong thing.”
“About making your father look good? Yeah.” Kardok nuzzled the top of my head. “I’m glad he was able to make you see that. We love you just as you are, Lila.”
“Messy.” Tucked against his chest, I allowed myself to snuggle closer.
“Fuck no, Princess. We think you’re perfect. But you don’t have to go through life worrying about what everyone else thinks of you. The people who love you think you’re perfect, and as long as you like yourself, that’s what matters.” He squeezed me slightly as if prompting. “Youdolike yourself, yeah?”
I considered his question, then nodded. “I like who I’m becoming. With you.”
“Blending our worlds.” He sighed, and Ifelthis happiness. “Your father doesn’t care what the rest of the world thinks of him, Lila. He knows he’s messy. He only cares whatyouthink of him.”
I tipped my head back. “Really? You had that long of a conversation with him?”
His grin was a little lopsided. “Nah,” he drawled. “I just understand him. You don’t have to worry about hisimage, and he doesn’t want you to worry about that. He wants you to be happy, so if it’ll make you happy to manage the ice complex, then do that. Or keep doing the charity stuff and leave the ice complex to someone else to worry about.”
He was right. We had enough management staff here that I didn’tneedto be hands-on…other than the fact that I thought of this place as home, and Kardok was here…
Oh well, a problem for another day.
It wasn’t all that difficult to stretch up on my toes when I was wearing skates, so I brushed a kiss across Kardok’s lips. “It makes me happy to think of you getting along with Daddy.”
“Good,” he rumbled.
And the sentiment was echoed from the corridor, “Good.”
I spun about, sliding my arm around Kardok’s middle, to see my father—looking magnificently distinguished in his tux—strolling down the tunnel under the stands. And on his arm, beaming, clung Maddie.
“You were incredible,” my father said, and I could hear the pride in his voice as he reached his hand to me. “Well done, Pumpkin.”
I slipped from Kardok’s hold to press a kiss to Daddy’s cheek and accept his kiss in return. “Thank you—thanks for giving me the courage, Daddy.”
Maddie claimed me next, throwing her arms around me for a big squeeze, as my father crossed to Kardok. He stuck out his hand, and my love took it gently.
“Congratulations, son. I’m glad things are working out for the two of you.”
Was it my imagination, or did Kardok’s voice sound a little choked when he said, “Thank you, sir”?
“You’re not going to quit the team, are you?” Daddy asked, and Maddie gasped.
“Oh, Kardok, youcan’t. Didn’t you hear the cheering? Everyone here isveryimpressed with you. I heard people talking about how you’ve beentamed.”
“Oh, God, that’s offensive,” I muttered, crossing back to Kardok’s side. “He’s not a wild beast.”
“I mean…” He shrugged, tucking me up against his side. “I am, kinda. That’s my whole reputation, and I’m okay with it.” He squeezed me. “Remember what I said about not caring what people think of you, Princess?”
Oh, right. Well… “I can still be angry at them for thinking it about you.”
“So you’re saying you’ll fight my battles for me? Don’t you have enough on your plate?”
I might have said more—although I wasn’t sure how to reply to something like that—when a new voice cut in, acerbic and loud.
“You absolutely have plenty to worry about, Miss Fairbanks.”
I wasn’t the only one to stifle a sigh as we all turned to see Mr. Albright—thankfully clear of Kristin—stomping down the tunnel toward us.
