Page 60 of Sworn to Protect

“Northwest?”

She nods.

I punch in the route. “We head north and then take the road that cuts west.”

Mackenzie’s fingers twist in her lap. “Why is this happening?”

“We’ll find them.” I squeeze her thigh. It’s a quick gesture meant more for reassurance than anything. “Hand me your phone.”

She hands it over, and I hit the emergency button.

“Nine-one-one, please state the nature of your emergency.”

“This is Nate Dixon. We have a minor involved in a dirtbike accident with possible injuries.”

“Age of the victim?”

“Eleven.”

“Are you with the victim?”

“No, en route. Last known location: grassy field off Brazen Trail. Can you have Medix-Lift on standby?”

“I’ll notify them now.”

I hang up, gripping the wheel as the GPS leads us to a gravel parking lot at the trailhead. Relief floods through me at the sight of Stan’s truck, but it’s immediately swallowed by anger.

Jordan fucking knew better. And if Mackenzie’s parents let this slide, they’ll answer to me, too.

Mackenzie hasn’t spoken since I ended the call. Silent tears streak her face, but it’s her gaze locked on the medical bag that has me concerned. I let out a breath. So she knows.

“I’ll pull up the satellite view and see where the grassy patches are.” While the map loads, we exit the truck. I grab the medical bag before heading to the trail’s start. The map reveals three possible flattened areas. I point to the one closest to us. “My bet is on this one. If they were eager to ride, they wouldn’t go far. Ready?”

She nods. We take off.

I keep my pace controlled, though every instinct screams to run full-out. Every minute could be the difference between life and death, but I can’t risk losing Mackenzie to exhaustion.

The clearing comes into view, and my heart slams against my ribs.

Jordan’s pacing near the tree line, frantic.

“There!” I point, and we break into a sprint.

Jordan’s wild eyes meet ours. “Mackenzie,” he chokes, raking his hands through his hair. “He was riding too close to the tree line. He just … went down.”

We skid to a stop.

Blood.

So much blood.

Mackenzie lets out a sound that will haunt me until the day I die. A raw, heart-wrenching wail that shreds through the air.

The world around me fades. The trees dissolve. The mountain air thickens.

Suddenly, I’m not here anymore.

I’m back on the tarmac, watching Ethan return from a mission. . .

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