Page 70 of Sworn to Protect

“Blame me. Hate me. Do whatever you want. But trust me when I tell you your boyfriend is playing you.”

I heaved a frustrated sigh and dug my finger into his chest. “Nate helped save Liam’s life. The only one playing anyone around here is you.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Fair? Don’t even get me started about things being fair.”

“His full name is Nathanial Dixon-Anders. Did he tell you that?”

No.

At my silence, Jordan continued, “He’s from San Diego. Not San Francisco. That’s why I wasn’t able to find anything on him.”

“Maybe he lived there when he was a kid. Many people stake claim to towns they grew up in when they were little.”

“That’s possible, but get real. There’s a reason for him dropping Anders. His dad is sitting in prison. Did he tell you that?”

That drew me up short. I could tell something was amiss by the way Nate talked about him, but he never mentioned prison. Even after my admission about my dad. “For what?”

“Money laundering. It seems like dear old dad liked to screw people out of their money. I’m telling you. He’s after your death gratuity. You need to protect yourself, sis. Either sign over the accounts in my name or at least add me to them. I don’t trust him.”

“You’re crazy if you think he’s after my money. Newsflash, Jordan. I don’t have any.”

“But you will. It’s just a matter of time. Don’t you find it odd that this guy appears out of the blue, sniffing like a hound?”

I’d like to think I’m the reason for him hanging around. It was evident in the way he stared. Ethan never looked at me the way Nate does. No way was he using me.

Once I gather their to-go order, they’re almost at the door when Mark hesitates. “Mom, I forgot Jeanine’s order. I’ll meet you in the car.”

She eyes him for a long beat before leaving.

The second the door swings shut, he beelines for the counter. “I’m so sorry. She can be a bit judgmental.”

“A bit?” I quirk my eyebrow.

He chuckles. “Okay. Alot. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how she looked down on you. It’s worse now since she still blames you for Toby being born.”

My breath catches. I always suspected, but hearing him say it outright is something else entirely.

“I didn’t realize you having a son was bad.”

He sighs. “It’s not. But since I tried to”—he rubs the back of his neck—“screw you out of my system, it led me down a different career path. You know how Mom wants all of us working at the winery.”

“But you never wanted that.”

“No. But I never told her, so I used Toby as an excuse.”

“And I’m the scapegoat.”

“I’ll talk to her.”

“There’s no point now.” I laugh to lighten the conversation. “What can I get, Jeanine?”

“She’ll kill me if I don’t return with a caramel latte and blueberry muffin.”

“We can’t have that. Your mom would find a way to blame me.”

“Touché.”

---