Page 94 of Sworn to Protect

I yank the door open. “Detective Stubbs, please come in.”

Caleb’s eyes flick over my shoulder, scanning the house. “Are the boys here?”

“They’re at my mom’s.” I gesture to the desk. “I was trying to study, but … it’s hard to concentrate.”Especially when I keep thinking about Nate.

He nods. “I have news that may ease some of that tension.”

I stiffen. “Go on.”

“Your brother is in custody in San Francisco.”

A slow exhale leaves me. Finally.

“I don’t know how much money they can recover yet, but I’ll keep you updated.”

“So headmittedit?”

Caleb’s expression softens. “Yeah. I’m sorry, Mackenzie. I know it’s harder when it’s family.”

My jaw clenches. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I guess.”

“Speaking of your father,” Caleb continues, “they caught him for violating his parole. He’ll likely be heading back to prison.”

I nod. It’s too much to process. Too much loss, too much betrayal.

He cocks his head and purses his lips. “You can thank your boyfriend, Nate, for the arrest.”

My heart stops.

I snap my gaze to his. “What?”

“He tailed them. Even after we told him not to.” Caleb shakes his head. “Once they crossed jurisdiction, we could make the arrest.”

Nate helped? He was there?

I can barely form a response as Caleb heads for the door. “I’ll keep you updated.”

“Again, I appreciate your help.”

I collapse onto the couch, reeling.

Then my phone rings.

Without thinking, I answer. “What else do you need, Mom?”

A pause.

Then—

“For you to forgive me.”

I freeze.

Oomph. My entire body absorbs Nate’s deep, baritone voice like a punch to the chest.

“Nate.” His name slips out in a whisper. A whimper. God, do I sound weak? I don’t even care.

He called. Heactuallycalled.

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