Page 90 of Sworn to Protect

Mrs. Turner stiffens. Her gaze whips toward mine. “Mackenzie’s dad gets out of jail tomorrow. He’ll be on parole.”

My stomach rolls. When the state brought charges against my dad, he was brought up on charges in San Francisco County. The question hung in whether to transfer him to their prison.

“From the Rolling Rock penitentiary?” I ask.

“Yes.”

Well, shit.

I say goodbye to the kids and drive straight to Mackenzie’s house. The need to see her outweighs the risk of her hating me. I have to make sure she is okay.

On the way, I call Caleb and pass along the information I’ve dug up. He seemed in the same frame of mind but warned me to not go after Jordan.

I knock. Hard.

Mackenzie yanks the door open, eyes flashing. Her creamy skin is flushed, and her auburn hair is piled in a messy bun. Loose tendrils frame her face. She’s absolutely stunning.

But she doesn’t let me in. She folds her arms, blocking the doorway.

“You called the police on me?”

Idiot.That’s not what I wanted to lead with.

“They asked who had access to my computer. I mentioned your name.”

I exhale sharply, raking a hand through my hair. “Did youhonestlythink I’d rip you off?”

Her lips part, hesitation flickering. “No.” Then, softer, “Maybe.”

She tosses her hands in the air, her voice rising. “I don’t know! I had Jordan in my ear, and I wasn’t thinking straight after I found out you lied to me.”

“I’dneverpull that kind of stunt.” I try to contain my tone. “Are you going to be okay financially?”

Her body stiffens. “I don’t need your help.”

I clench my jaw. Clearly, that was the wrong thing to say.

“I’m at a loss here, Mackenzie. I want to make this up to you.Tell me what I can do to make you forgive me.”

Her green eyes glisten as she swallows hard. “I don’t know if I can forgive you.”

My heart fucking breaks.

“Can I at least come in?”

She blinks, looking down at our feet. “That’s not a good idea.”

I rub a hand down my face. I need to say it. I need to tell her I love her.

But not like this. Not when she’s still looking at me like I could be the villain in her story.

“Mackenzie, please. Weneedto talk about this. I’m lost without you.”

Her breath catches, and for a split second, she almost softens. But then her walls go back up.

“I don’t think that’s enough.”

I nod, defeated.

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