Page 132 of Big Bad Wolfe

He scrubbed his hand over his face. “Yeah,” he lied.

Richard burst through the curtain. He took one look at Casey and gasped. “What happened? How bad is it?”

Dr. Torrence frowned at Richard. “Casey’s injury is minor. He’ll be fine.”

“Minor?” Richard all but shouted. “Look at all that blood. Both eyes are already turning black, and his nose is swollen three times normal size. Why didn’t you call me down from plastics for a consult? I don’t want him disfigured.”

Casey uttered a squeak of alarm. Jillian stepped between him and Richard. “Way to reassure the patient, Dr. Dick.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you doing here?”

“I told you before. His medical file is flagged to notify me.” His cold gaze raked over Zane’s coach T-shirt and whistle. He scowled. “You’re responsible for this, aren’t you? What did you do to the kid?”

Zane glanced at his son, who was watching the exchange with wide, frightened eyes. His gut twisted. He was responsible.

Jillian grasped Richard’s arm. “Outside. Now.” Her glance moved to Casey. “Be right back, sweetie. Why don’t you and Zane tell Dr. John all about the ballgame?” She yanked Richard out of the cubicle.

Casey enthusiastically began a detailed description. “That dumb old Jen kissed me for good luck.” He snorted. “Look what that got me, Dr. John.”

Zane’s roiling emotions slowed his reflexes, but he finally managed to make his feet obey his brain’s command to move. No way was he going to allow Jillian to take heat that belonged to him. He followed angry voices down a deserted corridor.

Richard’s furious gaze impaled Zane. “Now you’ve gone and done it,Dad.First you ruined my sister’s life by getting her pregnant and running out on her. Now you’re fucking with Casey’s life and ruining it, too.”

Zane stiffened. “Not my intent.”

“The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”

“Hold it, Dick,” Jillian demanded. “Deb didn’t consider her life ruined. She loved Casey, and chose to keep him. She chose to leave Zane in the dark. Casey’s injury was a typical kid accident. Happens every day at the Center. No way was it Zane’s fault.”

Richard ignored her and turned on Zane. “What makes you think you can waltz in here after all these years and play daddy? Like I said before, you have no experience, no business raising a child.”

“I’m notplayingat anything. I’m dead serious about becoming a decent father.”

Richard snorted. “Yes, and we all see how superbly that’s working out.”

“That’s enough.” Jillian’s low voice shook with anger.

“It’s not nearly enough. Casey is laying in there bleeding, with a disfigured face—”

“I’m warning you, Dick. Shut up.”

“All due to this moron’s negligence. He got Casey hurt and—”

Though Zane was standing an arm’s length from Jillian, he felt fury vibrate through her. Her fist shot out and punched Richard squarely in the nose. The woman had a wicked right hook.

For the second time in an hour, blood spurted. Eyes streaming, Richard howled and grabbed his nose. “You broke my nose!”

Jillian grimaced and shook out her fingers. “There. Now you and your nephew match.”

“You broke my goddamned nose!” Richard staggered toward admitting. “Someone help me, I’m injured! Get a nurse!”

Shocked, Zane turned to Jillian. “He’ll probably press charges.”

Jillian was trembling, her eyes amethyst lasers, her cheeks gloriously flushed. Zane didn’t remember her ever looking more beautiful. She planted her hands on her hips. “And admit to the world that he’s a wuss for letting a girl take him out? No way.”

“Listen, about what happened to Casey—”

Her eyes shot violet sparks. “Be warned. If the next words out of your mouth are,‘he’s right about me not being a good dad,’I’m going to punch you too.”

“But—”

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