Page 67 of Sworn to Protect

“I appreciate that you don’t want him to leave, but what he did is beyond forgiving.” I motion to Liam’s leg. “Liam’s literally lying here broken, and you’re defending the person responsible for his injury.”

Her sigh reverberates through me, hitting me deep in my bones. It’s the kind of sound that lets you know how disappointed she is with you.

“Mom, “ I say, voice raw. “I know you want to keep Jordan around, but I have to protect my kids.They’re my entire life. I won’t let anyone threaten them, intentional or not.”

She doesn’t argue, but her silence speaks volumes.

And in that silence, one thing is clear—I need answers. From Nate. From Jordan. From everyone who has been keeping things from me.

And I won’t stop until I get them.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

MACKENZIE

Nate comesthrough for us again, steady as ever, like he was made to fit into our lives. That thought unsettles me more than it should.

“Thank you for picking us up.”

I watch as Nate gently lowers Liam onto his bed, careful with every movement. The way he handles my son, like he belongs here, sends shivers down my spine. He fits too well. And that terrifies me.

I rake a hand through my tangled hair and cringe. Nate may portray a sexy beast, but I, on the other hand, am a hot mess party of one. Smudged eyeliner, bloodstained clothes, and—dear God—do I smell? I need a hot shower and a gallon of wine.

“Mom, will I be able to play soccer again?”

Liam’s voice pulls me back. Nate and I exchange a glance before I stroke Liam’s hair. “It will take time, but yes, sweetheart. The doctor said you should be strong enough to play by next year.”

“They’ll let me play even with the plates and screws?”

Liam shifts his gaze to Nate. The kid trusts him. Maybe too much.

“Yes,” Nate reassures, his voice firm. “Every word your mom said is true.”

Liam nods and yawns. “Okay.”

“Get some rest before your brother gets home.” I press a kiss on his forehead. “You know he’ll bombard you with questions.”

“But I’m not tired.” Another yawn stifles Liam’s protest.

Nate chuckles as I shake my head. Liar.

Once Liam is settled, we step into the kitchen, where the air is thick with everything wearen’tsaying.

“Coffee?” I offer, tugging at my shirt, uncomfortable in my own skin. I need out of these clothes. Out of this moment where I feel tooseen.

Nate’s gaze dips to my chest, just for a second, before he meets my eyes. “How about I make it while you grab that shower I know you’re dying for?”

“Do I smell that bad?”

His smirk is infuriatingly soft. “Not at all. But I can tell you’re uncomfortable.”

Too good. He’s too good to me. The way he looks at me, sees me, sends a rush of warmth through my chest. It’s as if he can read my every thought. I blink a few times to clear my head. “I’ll, uh, be quick.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m snuggled against him on the couch, wrapped in his warmth, coffee in hand. Goosebumps trail my arms as his fingers graze my skin. Contentment wars with unrest. On the one hand, I hate to disturb this moment, but we can’t move forward until we address what we both want to avoid. And time keeps slipping away, considering he has to pick Nick up from school soon. It’s just that I don’t know exactly how to broach the subject.

I take another sip, bracing myself.Rip off the Band-Aid.

“So, you’re a surgeon?”

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