Page 55 of Sworn to Protect

Jordan doesn’t stop. “It teaches him to take risks in life. He’s not learning life lessons being cooped up in the house all day.”

“Heisn’tcooped up all day. He’s in sports. He goes to school?—”

“All stuff for little pussies,” Jordan interrupts. “Let him have fun for once. What’s driving a dirtbike going to do? Nothing bad is going to happen.”

“That isn’t your call to make.”

“You’re being ridiculous. Let the kid live a little.”

Mackenzie’s following words slice through the air like a blade.

“I’ve already buried one family member. I’m not burying another one.”

The world stops.

A sharp inhale, then silence.

Jordan’s face falls. Even he knows he crossed a line.

But it’s the kids that wreck me.

Nick lets out a broken sob, his little body shaking against me. “I don’t want Liam to die, too.”

Damn. That one stings.

I lift him into my arms and press him close. “Hey, buddy, he’s not going anywhere. I promise.”

Mackenzie’s body deflates. Liam stands frozen as silent tears slide down his cheeks. Her gaze sweeps over all of us before landing on me. And in that moment, I see it—the exact second she reaches her breaking point. The fire in her eyes dims, replaced by something raw and exhausted.

I give her a small nod. A silent promise that I’ve got her back.

Her mom extends her arms to Liam. “Come here, honey.”

He hesitates, then moves toward her and collapses against her chest. I clear my throat, forcing down the knot swelling there. What I wouldn’t do to rewind time and fix every bad decision that ledus here. The past can’t be undone. But maybe, just maybe, I can fix the future.

I shift Nick against my hip and glance at Mackenzie. “How about we do this the right way? I’ll get the proper safety gear, make sure the helmet fits, and find a class that teaches safety precautions?”

She exhales slowly, but her expression is unreadable. “I still don’t like it.” Her voice cracks, and it’s enough to rattle me. Ihateseeing her in pain.

“I know, but if we start slow, with proper training, he’ll be safe.”

She frowns, but I can tell she’s contemplating the idea.

Liam wipes his face. “I promise I’ll listen, Mom.”

Behind me, I canfeelJordan’s glare drilling into my skull. I don’t know his problem with me, but I sure as hell know mine with him. The fucker deliberately defied Mackenzie’s wishes and ruined his nephew’s birthday just to prove a point. If I had my way, I’d dump his ass in the middle of Afghanistan and see how well he’d last. Probably not a day.

Mackenzie finally speaks. “I’ll agreeifNate finds a safety class, and you promise me no showboating.”

Liam’s face lights up. “Really?”

“Yes, but no riding until after lessons.”

“Alright. I promise!” He rushes to her and wraps his arms around her waist. She whispers something in his ear, and he nods solemnly. My heart swells. They split apart, and Liam runs over to the bike.

Nick wiggles out of my hold and darts toward Liam, his little face still puffy from crying. I exhale as the tension drains from my shoulders and move to stand by Mackenzie.

“Hey,” I say.

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