He might not be looking at cell bars, but he’s still giving up his freedom, public life, and the opportunity to ever return to who he used to be for rooms of agents and classified files until the government decides he’s no longer useful—or no longer a target.
And through it all, his daughter remained the center of every decision. Because, once the truth came out—once thecartel understood he was cooperating—there were only two options left for Mackenzi: The government could bury her in witness protection alongside him, stripping away her name, her future, her education, and her entire life before it had truly begun. Or he could trust me with her. Trust that I would keep her safe. Trust me to love her enough that she’d never again have to carry the weight of his mistakes.
And somehow, despite every reason not to, he did.
He gave me the most important thing in his world and walked away. Maybe because he saw the truth long before either of us wanted to admit it—she was already mine.
Mine to protect.
Mine to love.
Mine to stand beside as she builds the beautiful life she was always destined for.
Next to me in the SUV, Hawk finally breaks the silence. “You look like shit.”
I glance sideways at him from the passenger seat. “You say the sweetest things.”
“You should hear what Jagger said.”
From the backseat, Jagger snorts tiredly. “Hey. That was in confidence.”
I shake my head, a smile pulling at my lips. “I hate you assholes.”
Cartagena slides past outside in blurred stretches of headlights and wet pavement for the brief storm that rolledthrough a few hours ago. I lean my head briefly against the seat and close my eyes for half a second.
The moment they shut, I see Mackenzi. Her dark brown eyes holding back tears as I kissed her goodbye. My heart thumps painfully at the thought of finally seeing her again.
Three days isn’t long. It’s barely a blip of a lifetime. But it felt like an eternity while every single instinct in me spent that time trying to get back to her.
The SUV slows as we approach the embassy gates. Marine guards step forward immediately before recognizing the vehicle and waving us through. The compound appears moments later, warm lights glowing softly through the darkness.
The SUV curves through the circular drive. The second the tires stop rolling, the front doors fly open, and Mackenzi races down the steps, fast enough that my pulse spikes. Her hair whips behind her in the wind as she practically launches herself at the vehicle before I’ve even fully opened the door.
“Whoa—” She throws herself at me so hard, I nearly slam into the SUV. Her arms wrap tightly around my neck while mine lock around her waist to keep us both upright.
“Trouble,” I breathe against her hair. I pull back enough to see her face before kissing her. When our lips meet, every exhausted thought in my head disappears. It feels like we’re making up for months instead of days. Her hands slide into my hair while I kiss her deeper, one hand gripping her waist hard enough to pull her flush against me.
“I missed you,” she whispers against my lips
“I missed you, too.” I cup her face to take in the stunning sight of her. Mythumb brushes slowly beneath her cheekbone. “You okay?”
Her expression softens. “Better now.”
I kiss her forehead gently and rest mine against hers for a second.
Mackenzi’s fingers curl lightly into the front of my shirt. “How is he?”
We’ve talked at length while I have been gone. There isn’t a moment that transpired in those offices I haven’t shared with her. Yet, the question sobers us both instantly, and I exhale slowly. “He’s cooperating fully.”
“But?”
I hesitate briefly before answering honestly, “It’s going to be a long road.”
Pain flickers quietly across her face, but she nods, like she already expected that answer. “He asked about you constantly,” I add softly. Her eyes glisten faintly before she looks away for half a second. I tilt her chin gently toward me. “He did this to protect you. He loves you, Mackenzi.”
“I know.” And for the first time since he spilled his secrets in the foyer, I think she truly believes it again.
Rain begins misting lightly across the courtyard again. Tiny droplets catch in her hair and along her lashes while she stays tucked against me like she has no intention of letting go anytime soon. Not that I’m complaining.
