Page 96 of Sworn to Protect

“Sounds good.”

Outside, the patio offers a panoramic view of the Edington Winery, its endless rows of vines bursting with autumn color. Shades of gold, ruby, and green stretch across the hills, painting the landscape like a masterpiece. The sight momentarily distracts me from the weight of the moment.

“Sweet Jesus,” Makenzie whispers. “This view is incredible.”

“I thought you might like it.”

“I love it,” she says, taking her wineglass from me.

Her gaze lands on mine, and for a second, I let myself get lost in the warmth there. But I can’t put this off any longer.

I exhale and set my glass down. “I owe you an apology. I’m so deeply sorry for lying to you. For keeping who I was a secret. And for so much more.”

Her lips part, but she doesn’t speak. She’s waiting.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I have a lot to tell you. Some of it is classified, so I can’t give full details, but I’ll tell you everything I can. Will that be okay?”

“Yes.” Her voice is a whisper that wraps around my chest and squeezes like a vice grip. Why is this so hard?

I begin by describing how Ethan and I met. I leave out the worst of it, how he spoke about her in frustration. That’s not the man she needs to remember.

“When I read his last letter, I couldn’t believe what he was asking of me,” I admit. “He’d never written a letter before.”

Her brows pull together. “Never?”

“No. So yeah, it made me nervous. When his fighter jet landed, I was relieved.” I pause. A heavy, suffocating feeling coils around my ribs. I force myself to keep going. “A soldier from another unit joined us. Royce Nuri. He worked as an interpreter at first; he was studying to be a surgeon. I took him under my wing.”

I stare at the glass in my hands. I don’t deserve comfort, but I feel her presence shift closer.

“When Ethan’s team returned from their mission, I went out to meet him. We were joking around and then—” My throat tightens. I clear it. “Gunfire erupted. Chaos everywhere. Ethan tackled me, shielding me with his body.”

She inhales sharply.

“I didn’t have my weapon. I’d just come from surgery. Royce fired. Ethan went down.” My hands fists against my thighs. “I picked up Ethan’s gun and took the shot. Royce hesitated. I didn’t.”

Mackenzie lets out a soft sob. Her hands shake as she reaches for me and presses her fingers into my arms, grounding me when I feel like I might shatter.

“I tried to save him,” I whisper. “I did everything I could.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“How can you say that?” I push off the couch and pace the edge of the patio, breathing hard.

She follows, standing beside me. “Because it’s true. You didn’t know someone was going to turn on you.”

I turn to her, barely holding it together. “Your kids are fatherless because he chose to die for me.”

Tears streak her cheeks. But there’s no anger in her gaze. Only something softer. “I spent years thinking Ethan was selfish. But what you just told me—that changes everything.” Her voice trembles. “Of course, I wish he was here for our boys, but he wasn’t, even when he was alive. You just confirmed that he died a hero.”

My chest cracks wide open. I pull her into me, holding on like she’s my only anchor to this world. “I hated missing his funeral. I should’ve been there. For him … and you.”

She tightens her arms around me. “I wasn’t in the right frame of mind back then. But you’re here now.”

I cup her face, wiping away the tears. “I never meant to hurt you.”

“I know. I don’t want to fight anymore.”

A slow, relieved exhale leaves my lungs. “I love you, Mackenzie Gillman.”

---