Page 76 of Sworn to Protect

“No! I’m losing you.”

His words spark a memory.“I’m not losing you, too.”He’s lost someone before. Someone close to him.

“Nate. You’re having a bad dream,” I yell louder and shake his shoulder again.

He gasps as his eyes pop open, his breaths under rapid fire. He blinks rapidly, looking around the room in confusion before his gaze finally lands on me.

Slowly, realization dawns on him, and the fear in his eyes evaporates, replaced with regret and shame.

“Christ. I didn’t hit you, did I?” he asks between pants.

“No, of course not.” I rise on my elbow to study him. He stares up at the ceiling, breathing still labored. “Are you okay?”

“I will be.” He takes a deep breath and slowly releases it. A pattern he keeps up until his breaths even. After a few moments of being calm, he speaks, “Sometimes I have nightmares. They’ve been better lately. I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

He reaches out and pulls me against him. He doesn’t say anything for the longest time. We just lie next to each other until his heartbeat calms. After a few long beats, he whispers, “We’ll talk in the morning. Get some sleep.”

“Okay.” I may agree, but as I snuggle in Nate’s arms, I know I won’t get much sleep.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

MACKENZIE

“Mommy.Why is Mr. Dixon in your bed?”

My eyes fly open to find my five-year-old standing at the edge of the bed, his tiny face scrunched in confusion.Shit.

I yank the covers to my neck and sneak a glance at Nate.At least he’s covered.Thank God for small favors. Explaining why a naked man’s junk is hanging out wasn’t how I planned to start my morning.

“Mommy?” Nick’s voice holds a note of impatience.

“Um.” Yeah, I’ve got nothing.

“Hey, buddy.” Nate’s voice is thick with sleep, and the roughness makes my skin prickle in memory of last night. My pulse skips.Incredible doesn’t even begin to cover it.But I didn’t think about the morning consequences, and now I’m paying for them.

Nick cocks his head. “Uncle Jordan tried to come over, but Grandma shooed him away.”

I exhale. Of course he did.

“Mommy, why do you hate Uncle Jordan?”

Jesus. It’s way too early for this. I glance at Nate, who’s watching with quiet amusement. “I don’t hate Uncle Jordan. I’m just mad at him for not listening to me.”

Nick’s big blue eyes widen as his voice turns serious. “I always listen.”

Nate’s chuckle is low and carefree. A much different tone than when he woke up from the nightmare.

“I know you do, honey. Sometimes, Uncle Jordan is careless, and his carelessness gets people hurt.”

“Like with Liam?”

“Exactly. I don’t want to take another chance of him hurting you.” That probably wasn’t the best thing to say, but his quick okay ended the conversation.

“I’m hungry. Can we have waffles?”

“Sure. Go wake up your brother, and I’ll be right out.”

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