Page 23 of Sworn to Protect

“Yeah, my laptop is on the desk.”

“Password?”

“Kitten2Purrfect.”

“Really, sis? That’s been your passcode for everything since we were kids.”

“What? I still miss Peaches. Besides, it’s easy to remember.”

“You need to protect yourself better.”

“Stop with the accusations. Nate’s a good guy. You would’ve seen his good side if you weren’t scaling through my window.”

“Yeah.” He angles toward my computer. “I’m still gonna do my homework on him.”

“Fine. Whatever. It’s not like it matters. I’m sure my crazed bitch side scared him away for good.”

“I never liked it when Ethan called you that.”

“It doesn’t matter now, does it?”

The awkwardness comes roaring back. Jordan sighs. “I love you, sis.”

“For what it’s worth, I’ve missed you.”

That earns me a genuine smile. “I’ve missed your face.”

Once I’m finally alone, I crawl into bed, thoughts of Ethan rushing in. The fights over guns. Selling them all after he was gone. A gun is what took my husband from me. I won’t tolerate them now, not around my kids. But Nate didn’t know that.

Tears prick my eyes as I curl into a ball on my side. The guy helped me in a tight spot, and I went ballistic on him. Maybe I am the ‘crazed bitch’ Ethan coined me as when I demanded the guns be placed out of reach. But I have to protect my boys. I won’t yield.

It’s just knowing all that doesn’t change how badly I feel for yelling at Nate. Tomorrow, I’ll apologize. But deep down, I know some things can’t be undone, like the way Nate looked at me before he left.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

NATE

How the helldid I become the bad guy?

I slam my cabin door shut and thrust my fingers in my hair.Fuck. How did I screw up so badly? I should have known better than to bring a gun into Mackenzie’s house without permission, but I didn’t think twice about it. Her late husband was an Army Ranger, for fuck’s sake. Shouldn’t she be used to them? I assumed Ethan owned an arsenal from how he bragged about his guns.

Okay, pointing the gun at her brother may have crossed a line, but how would I have known who he was? The guy broke into the house. But still, of all times for her to come home, it had to be the moment I aimed.

Fuck!

I grab a cold longneck from the mini-refrigerator and take a long pull. Glancing around the small space, I feel lost until my gaze lands on Ethan’s letter. I snatch it from the bedside table and stalk to the couch. Sinking into the cushions, I take another drink and read the letter, starting where I left off the other day.

. . . I know you hate lying, but hear me out. In three months, you’ll be re-upping. Before you commit to themaximum number of years, take some time off and do me a solid. Check on my wife and kids. I know you’ve never met them, but Mackenzie’s a good mom despite every complaint I’ve uttered. She’s strong and will be okay. It’s the period between now and then that keeps me awake. She doesn’t have anyone to look after her. That’s partially my fault since I’m a selfish bastard. The only way I know to make it up to her is to send you.

Here’s where the lying comes into play. This has to be a covert mission. I know my wife. If she finds out I asked you to be there, her stubborn ass will demand you leave. That’s just her way. So even though lying—even if it’s by omission—goes against your nature, you must keep your identity a secret. Mackenzie needs protection whether or not she realizes it. She’ll buck you if she finds out. Please honor this wish. Besides, your being there is temporary. Trust me. You’ll be long gone before she reads the letter I’ve written to her.

I wouldn’t ask anyone else for this, but I trust you. You’re a standup guy. There aren’t too many people I’d put my life on the line for. And I’m an army ranger. My creed is for my band of brothers, but you know I only want the best when it comes to family. That’s why I’m asking only you to take care of her.

One last thing. Don’t worry if you fall in love with her. She’s easy to love. That’s how I got trapped.

Until we meet again, brother.

Ethan

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