Page 2 of Sworn to Protect

“I do not doubt your skills, ma’am. I just stopped to see if I could help you out.”

She eyes my shirtless chest, lingering on my abs—a look of appreciation flashes in those widening eyes. I squash the lightness in my chest her silent approval gives. She is the last person I should lust over. Vice versa.

“I’m fine. As I said, I’ve got it covered.” Her voice comes out low and gravelly. She clears her throat as if agitated with herself.

I fight back a smile, but she’s half crocked if she thinks I’m abandoning her an hour away from civilization. I wouldn’t put anyone in that situation, let alone the family I’m supposed to protect.

“There’s no way in hell I’m leaving you alone on the freeway with two kids in your car. I can go back to my truck and wait if that makes you more comfortable. Or I can be of some use and look at your tire.”

Indecision wars in her eyes. She glances back at the two boys, and the wince that falls from her lips tightens my chest.

“My name’s Nate Dixon, by the way.” Maybe I should’ve led with introductions first?

“Mackenzie Gillman.”

“Well, Mackenzie, can I look at your tire now?”

“Fine, but can you at least put on a shirt? Who drives around topless?”

I chuckle and turn away. “Someone hot, that’s who.”

I swear I hear a low mm-hmm as I retrace my steps to the truck and grab my shirt. Fully clothed, I walk over to her and bend down to inspect the tire. I grind my teeth to stop cursing when I spot the crater in the sidewall. It doesn’t take an Einstein to figure out the reason for the blowout. The tire tread is entirely bald. Glancing at the front wheel fuels my anger when I find it in the samecondition. Why hadn’t you replaced these tires, Ethan? I know we deployed for a long time, but these tires needed replacing long before now.

“The tire blew, and the others don’t have much life to them. When was the last time you had these changed?” I keep my tone even, but damn it, Ethan. You should’ve taken care of this.

“My husband was supposed to get new ones last year. I’ve been busy and forgot.”

My heart squeezes.Her husband. A little over a year ago, Ethan was between deployments. He had ample enough time then to take the car in. “He should’ve made it a top priority.”

“He should’ve done a lot of things,” she mumbles.

I let her comment roll off my back and concentrate on the heap of rubber. “You can call off the tow truck. I can change this for you. I just need your spare tire.”

“Oh, this is what I have.” Mackenzie darts to the trunk and returns, holding a spray can of Fix-a-flat.

I just stare at it. “This is all the car came with?”

Her lips press together as she nods.

“What the hell am I supposed to do with that?”

She gives the cutest shrug, and her shirt slips off her shoulder, exposing her pale, smooth skin peppered with freckles. Fuck me. I force myself to focus on the useless can in her hand. The last thing I should think of is how cute her shoulders are.

“At the very least, you surely have a donut tire.”

“Nope, just this.” She gives me a matter-of-fact look.

I glance at the crater. “That isn’t going to fix shit.”

“Welcome to modern-day corporate greed.”

I shake my head and stalk over to the trunk. Surely, she missed the hidden compartment. All cars come with some type of spare tire. Don’t they? When my search comes up empty, she gives another shrug and tosses the can back into the trunk.

“I tried telling you.”

“I can’t believe this. When did manufacturers stop putting spare tires in cars?”

“Not sure.”

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