Page 54 of Sworn to Protect

The rev of an engine slices through the air.

Liam’s excited yell comes next.

And just like that, my entire body turns to fire.

“Oh, boy,” Nate mutters.

Liam sprints toward a dirtbike.A dirtbike.

It’s blue and silver, with scuffed sides and black streaks down the frame. A secondhand steal Jordan probably sweet-talked some fool into selling. My vision narrows, and heat burns up my spine. He knew—he damn wellknew—I was against this.

I storm toward him, barely able to control my anger. “How dare you buy this?”

“What?” Jordan grins like he expected this reaction.

“Don’t even try that smirk with me. It won’t work. Liam, you can’t keep this.”

“Ah, Mom. I really?—”

“No! Your uncle crossed a line he had no business crossing.”

Jordan scoffs. “Mackenzie, it’s just a dirtbike.”

“I know what it is. And he’s not keeping it.”

“The statistics on accidents are low?—.”

“Are you serious right now?” My voice shakes. “You think a statistic is going to make me feel better when I’m scraping my son off the pavement?”

“Itisa rather nice gift,” Mom starts, but I cut her a glare, and she wisely steps back.

Jordan throws up his hands. “You’re acting like a crazed bitch.”

The words land like a slap.

My vision tunnels, and the dam inside me breaks.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

NATE

There’sa moment before hell breaks loose. A breath where reality hangs, suspended. This is that moment.

Mackenzie’s voice is low and tight. “What did you call me?”

Her face is flushed, eyes red-rimmed. She fists her hands at her side and looks one second away from decking him. And honestly? I wouldn’t stop her. Of all the insults Jordan could’ve thrown, he pickedthatone. The same derogatory word Ethan used against her.

If it weren’t for Nick gripping my leg, wide-eyed as he watches this unfold, I’d have my own fists at the ready.

Jordan exhales like he’s the one being inconvenienced. “You’re being ridiculous. It’s just a bike. He’s eleven years old now. It’s time you quit coddling him.”

“Coddling?” Mackenzie echoes, voice sharp. “How is not letting him have adirtbikecoddling him? I’m trying to protect him.”

“He’s not your little egg to roost on anymore. Let him be a man.”

Her laugh is humorless. “How isLiamgetting on a deathtrap being ‘a man’?” She throws up mocking air quotes, practically vibrating with rage.

Nick grips my leg tighter as if sensing the crackling storm in his mother’s voice. Despite carrying the weight of a clinging six-year-old, I step forward, but Mackenzie’s mom places a hand on my chest, stopping me. I can’t believe this is happening. So much for coming clean with my lies tonight. I certainly can’t tell her after this.

---