Page 25 of Sworn to Protect

“Now, Liam wants to sign up for soccer. I promised he could, but I don’t know where I’ll find the time. I’m going to either miss his games or practices. Maybe both. When Mom returns from her trip, I’ll have more help, but until then, I just don’t know.”

“What about your brother? He’ll surely help out.”

“He’s flighty. I can’t trust him alone with the kids for too long. And I definitely can’t have him driving them. Too many DUIs for my taste.”

I stave off my flinch. Shit. I didn’t get a good vibe from the creep, but I figured that was because he broke into the kitchen window. What type of person breaks into a home as a joke? “That’s what I’m here for. That is if you still trust me.”

Her bright green eyes bore into mine. “I trust you. I probably shouldn’t, but you haven’t given me any reason not to. Just, please don’t pack when you’re around me.”

“Okay.” I won’t like it, but I can agree if that’s what she wants.

She blinks in surprise. “You don’t mind that request?”

“No. If that’s your wish, then I have no problem complying.”

Her mouth gapes. “Ethan would never . . .” She shakes her head. “No, it doesn’t matter. I appreciate that. Thank you.”

The best I can do is nod as Mackenzie grabs her water and takes a sip. Ethan’s letter lies there, mocking me. His subtle reminder that I’m no better for her, either.

“Going back to school is the last thing I should do right now.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Now is as good a time as any.” I can’t believe Ethan was against her continuing her education. He led me to believe she was demanding and hardheaded. I didn’t realize she was only trying to stand up for herself.Jesus, Ethan. How could you have been so blind?

“I don’t know. Maybe Ethan’s right, and I should be there for my kids. It’s a tough time for them. I’m sure there’s a local job that pays more than Brewed and is better suited to the kids’ schedule.”

“Hey, don’t think that. You’re improving yourself. Nothing against stay-at-home moms if that’s their choice, but you shouldn’t feel ashamed for following your dreams.”

Appreciation coats Mackenzie’s gaze, and I swear, warmth floods my entire body. I don’t understand this visceral reaction to her. Her soft smile reveals the vulnerable side she tries so hard to hide, but I see her. Every little piece. She’s the first to break our connection. She glances around the room, taking in my belongings. “How long are you planning on staying in Naperville?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

She tilts her head to the side and studies me. “What do you do for a living?”

I contemplate what to say, finally settling on freelance.

“What’s your reason for settling in Naperville?”

You.I want to say, but Ethan’s words come back to me,please honor this wish. I give the slightest bit of truth. “The path I was on became altered. I needed to straighten a few things out.”

“Of all the places in California, why here?”

“I grew up near San Francisco. This town seemed quaint and a quiet place to get my head straight.”

Straight to hell. That’s me with a one-way ticket. Do not pass go and do not collect two hundred dollars.Christ.San Francisco is a long way from San Diego. Why’d I lie about that?

“I come from San Francisco, originally. We moved here my senior year when Mom met Stan.”

Glad to get the focus off me, I ask, “Is that why you returned to Naperville? To be with family?”

“Yes.”

She stands, placing the bottle back on the end table. Her fingers graze across Ethan’s letter and knock it to the floor. I react without thought and dive to the ground.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She says as we both reach for the paper, but she snatches it up first. I think I stop breathing, seeing her fingers draped around Ethan’s words. She places it back on the table, and her stare lingers on it a moment too long before pulling her gaze to me. “I need to check on the kids and get to work.”

“Thank you for my coffee.”

The smile she flashes me makes me grin. “Anytime.”

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