Page 80 of Sworn to Protect

“Okay, I guess I’ll see you later tonight?” I set the mugs down on the coffee table and stand by him.

He hesitates. “I may have to drive into the city later. I’m unsure how long it’ll take, but I doubt I’ll return tonight. I’ll let youknow.” He wraps his hands around my waist and leans his forehead to mine. “I hate leaving you.”

“Then don’t.”

“Aw, I wish I didn’t have to.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.”

I watch him leave, trying to process everything he told me. I love him. Complications and all. But does he love me enough to stay?

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

MACKENZIE

Well,that was a shitshow.

There was a time when I enjoyed visiting Mom and Stan. A time before Jordan. Before everything he touched turned to ash.

“Mom, can I stay up a little and play a game?” Liam asks, balancing on his crutch.

“Did you finish your homework?” Seven o’clock on Sunday still leaves plenty of time before bed, but our rule has always been no gaming on school nights. Even with Liam doing virtual learning, structure matters.

“Yeah, I finished it yesterday.”

He pivots, hesitation flickering across his face. My stomach knots. Here it comes.

“Uncle Jordan is kind of a jerk, isn’t he?”

I exhale, my fingers tightening around the mug in my hands. “He can be.”

More than likely, Liam had heard every ugly word Jordan spewed tonight. And worse? Nate wasn’t there to defend himself. He didn’t return from the city in time for dinner, so I told him to wait until we got home. He should be here soon.

Liam frowns. “What did Uncle Jordan mean when he said to ‘watch out for Mr. Dixon’? Does he think he’s after your money? Ifso, Uncle Jordan is wrong. Mr. Dixon pays for our ice cream with his own money.”

If I weren’t so upset, I’d laugh. Of all the things Jordan spewed, I wish the boys hadn’t overheard that part. Jordan won’t let up on his conspiracy theory. I broke down and told my brother about finally getting my deposit. Nate has known about it for over two weeks and nothing happened. That didn’t satisfy Jordan, though.

“He doesn’t like Nate. So he questions why he’s here.”

Liam snorts. “That’s dumb. It’s pretty obvious.”

“Oh?”

“He’s here because he likes us.”

I blink. Jesus. Leave it to an eleven-year-old to cut through the bullshit.

A small, wry smile tugs at my lips. “I don’t know why grown-ups make things so complicated.”

“And I like him too,” Liam adds.

A pang settles deep in my chest. “So do I, bub. So do I.” More than I should. I missed him last night and this morning. And the worst part? I can already imagine this being our norm. I’m so screwed if he decides to leave.

Liam studies me for a beat, his expression serious. “If I had a choice who to be with, I’d choose Mr. Dixon.”

My breath catches. “What do you mean?”

“He pays the most attention to us. He doesn’t get annoyed when we’re around. He actually listens.”

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