Page 15 of Shattered

Mackenzie took a step toward her.

“Nope,” Kalkin said. “You’re going to run with me.”

Kalkin shifted in front of Aurora, the shadowed area of the backyard erupted in warm white light. She gasped as the short hairs on her arm lifted. Then it dissolved and there stood the black wolf from earlier. The wolf barked at Mackenzie and nipped his back leg before taking off—Mackenzie hot on his heels.

“Is it always like this?” she asked, trailing behind Keeley. “Or, I should say, this intense?”

The woman laughed. “I warned you. But, no. You’ve not seen anything yet.”

The days following the Halloween party, went by without complication or stress, which surprised the hell out of Mackenzie. Even the work at the site had been smooth. Having Ulysses with him, gave him a chance to move quicker and faster, which meant most of the water lines and sewer lines were laid, and by the afternoon, they could start pouring the cement. According to Saber, if they wanted to stay on time with the build, they needed to get their asses in gear. It also meant, if Mackenzie wanted to see the realty person in town, he’d have to do it quickly and on his lunch. He knew what he was looking for, something close to where he already was, and would keep the kids in the Apache County school system.

After Riley’s initial Facetime session with her friends, she appeared a bit lighter. Happy. And since then, she’d spent most of her afternoons with them. Of course, her friends did have questions, and his pup showed them articles from the takedown to help answer them. Some of the questions she couldn’t answer due to the trial, and some she forced him to be there while she answered, just because of the subject matter. It bothered him that she had to answer those questions, but he understood it as well. Lying, even if it they’d done it for a good reason, was still not right. Add to it, the trial was scheduled to start soon, which meant the town was quickly filling with news crews and journalists from all over the country. It was a perfect storm of curiosity for the girls.

The shit with PBH had far-reaching implications, and everyone had a vested interest in the outcome of the case. It meant freedom for those shifters and humans who were unique and special. It also meant validation and justice. What it meant for him and his family was facing the woman he’d lied for and lied to his kids about. It meant bearing all of his indiscretions and lapses in judgement. It meant getting on that stand and allowing Holly’s lawyer to paint him in a horrible light. It also meant putting the whole case at risk because he’d been stupid enough to want to do everything in his power to keep an aunt with her niece, damn the consequences.

Mackenzie parked his truck next to Saber’s vehicle then got out. He walked to the small single-room trailer on the property to store his lunch box and grab his gear. Inside the building, Ulysses was already there, waiting on him. He had to admit the kid was a hard worker. He never complained. Mackenzie did most of the grunt work around the site. It gave him time to contemplate everything. It was tedious, backbreaking work, but he enjoyed it. It stretched the muscles of his body he didn’t much use anymore because he hadn’t shifted since being caught by Raymond.

“Morning,” Mackenzie grunted, placing his lunch in the fridge. “Ready to get to work?”

Ulysses stood. “Been waiting on you, old man.”

He smirked. “Getting a little big for those britches aren’t you?”

Ulysses puffed up his chest and grinned. “Maybe.”

Mackenzie laughed. “Let’s go.” He glanced at Saber and nodded. “Still on for after lunch?”

“Yep,” Saber answered, staring at Mackenzie like he’d missed something important. “Which means you have four hours.”

“We have enough time then.”

“How are you feeling?” Saber tilted his head.

Mackenzie narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”

Ulysses headed for the door. “I’ll be outside getting everything ready.”

As soon as the door closed Saber grabbed his shoulder. “If you need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.”

“Uh, thanks. I think.” Mackenzie cleared his throat. “I should get out there and start working.”

“Sure. Right.” Saber still stared at Mackenzie with concern in his eyes. “I was just saying.”

Mackenzie nodded and headed out the door.What the hell was that all about?He stomped down the stairs and found Ulysses already laying pipe. Why did Saber want to know if he needed to talk? It didn’t make sense. He shook his head.

“Everything okay?”

Mackenzie nodded. “Yeah. Family stuff. I guess.” He scrubbed the back of his neck.

“Well times a wastin’,” Ulysses said.

The majority of the work could be finished after they poured the cement. What would take the longest was coming off the street to the foundation to hook all the lines up. The city would have to supervise while code enforcement also kept an eye on things. One wrong move, and they’d be back to square one.

“You should join us,” Ulysses said after they’d been working for a couple of hours. “We go out to the bar sometimes.”

The statement came out of left field. “I have kids.”

“Royce who is mated,” Ulysses said.

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