Sworn to Protect - Kimberly Readnour Page 0,1

fall just above the swell of her breasts, and she stares back at me with a pair of bright green eyes I’d recognize anywhere. They’re the same ones that stared back at me whenever I entered my best friend’s barrack.

It’s her.

Mackenzie Gillman.

The woman I’ve sworn to protect.

I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat and sneak a peek at the two kids in the car. The older one stares out the back window, hands gripped to the headrest, while the youngest strains to see around his car seat. Mackenzie scurries to her feet and brushes the backside of her very short, very sexy, denim shorts. I take another step forward, but she skitters backward, clearly afraid.

“Don’t take another step. I have a gun.”

My eyebrows shoot up as I stop my forward movement. Those tight little shorts aren’t packing anything, unlike me, but my Glock rests in the passenger seat of my pickup. Besides, I already checked out her backside to know she isn’t wielding a holster. My eyes trace along those long legs down to her feet. The only strap wrapped around her ankle is from her sandals. “Unless you’re packing in your bra, I highly doubt it. I assure you, I’m only here to help.”

She tosses her shoulders back in defiance and straightens her spine. “I assure you I can shoot you point-blank.”

“I do not doubt your skills, ma’am. I just stopped to see if I could help you out.”

She eyes my shirtless chest, lingering on my abs—a look of appreciation flashes in those widening eyes. I squash the lightness in my chest her silent approval gives. She is the last person I should lust over. Vice versa.

“I’m fine. As I said, I’ve got it covered.” Her voice comes out low and gravelly. She clears her throat as if agitated with herself.

I fight back a smile, but she’s half crocked if she thinks I’m abandoning her an hour away from civilization. I wouldn’t put anyone in that situation, let alone the family I’m supposed to protect.

“There’s no way in hell I’m leaving you alone on the freeway with two kids in your car. I can go back to my truck and wait if that makes you more comfortable. Or I can be of some use and look at your tire.”

Indecision wars in her eyes. She glances back at the two boys, and the wince that falls from her lips tightens my chest.

“My name’s Nate Dixon, by the way.” Maybe I should’ve led with introductions first?

“Mackenzie Gillman.”

“Well, Mackenzie, can I look at your tire now?”

“Fine, but can you at least put on a shirt? Who drives around topless?”

I chuckle and turn away. “Someone hot, that’s who.”

I swear I hear a low mm-hmm as I retrace my steps to the truck and grab my shirt. Fully clothed, I walk over to her and bend down to inspect the tire. I grind my teeth to stop from cursing when I spot the crater in the sidewall. It doesn’t take an Einstein to figure out the reason for the blowout. The tire tread is completely bald. Glancing at the front wheel fuels my anger when I find it in the same condition. Why hadn’t you replaced these tires, Ethan? I know we deployed for a long time, but these tires needed replacing long before now.

“The tire blew, and the others don’t have much life to them. When was the last time you had these changed?” I keep my tone even, but damn it, Ethan should’ve taken care of this.

“My husband was supposed to get new ones last year. I’ve been busy and forgot.”

My heart squeezes. Her husband. A little over a year ago, Ethan was between deployments. He had ample enough time then to take the car in. “He should’ve made it a top priority.”

“He should’ve done a lot of things,” she mumbles.

I let her comment roll off my back and concentrate on the heap of rubber. “You can call off the tow truck. I can change this for you. I just need your spare tire.”

“Oh, this is what I have.” Mackenzie darts to the trunk and returns holding a spray can of Fix-a-flat.

I just stare at it. “This is all the car came with?”

Her lips press together as she nods.

“What the hell am I supposed to do with that?”

She gives the cutest shrug, and her shirt slips off her shoulder, exposing her pale smooth skin peppered with freckles. Fuck me. I force myself to focus on the useless can in her