Page 47 of Shattered

“Wow, such language, big bro,” Kalkin teased. “Look, I know it didn’t go the way you wanted it to. It’s the first day of your testimony, and we both understand how this will play out. Holly will try to discredit you as much as possible. You can’t let her, or her slimy-ass attorney get under your skin.”

Mackenzie blew out a breath. “How’d you know what I needed to hear?”

“Because I’m the Alpha and speaking of which, another birdy told me Aurora has the day off. You should go see her.”

Mackenzie pulled the phone from his ear and made a face. “What are you on that you’re seeing and speaking to birds?”

His brother laughed. “Go see her.”

“She has a mate. I won’t interfere,” he replied.

Kalkin laughed. “You’re an ignorant, bullheaded asshole. Go see her. Maybe you can work out some of that pent-up aggression.”

“She has a mate,” he growled, frustrated by the turn the day had taken and now his brother’s misguided attempt to set him up with a fuck buddy.

“Are you sure?”

“I saw the mark,” Mackenzie snapped.

“Hmm... I didn’t. Go see her, Mac.”

He hung up on Kalkin and started driving. He had a couple of hours before he needed to pick up Riley and Liam, or he could take some time and call Charisma to have her pick them up. He settled for the latter. Once he made the call to his daughter-in-law, he continued to drive. He had to clear his head before he did something stupid. Being on the stand proved one thing, he hadn’t been prepared. Sure, he’d anticipated some of the questions, but the shit with Holly... No, he hadn’t been expecting it. Should’ve, though.

By the time he stopped driving, he sat out front of Aurora’s apartment. He cursed himself all kinds of a fool while staring up at the stained stucco façade and hanging letters. This was no place for her or Abby. If Abby was as sick as Danielle said, the air in the apartment probably did more harm than good.Stop it.Even the barest of hints of wanting to help more crept in. He’d seen the inside of her apartment, and it turned his stomach. The walls were stained. The floor matted in at least thirty years of gunk and who knew what else. He understood her predicament when it came to money, but buildings like those, needed to be torn down and replaced by efficiency apartments that were still cheap, but healthy and sustainable.

Go home.

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. It would be so easy to turn around and do such. Just drop the truck in drive, flip a U-turn, and go home. Nevertheless, he didn’t move. Instead, he put the truck in park then got out. His legs moved on their own accord, and before he could even stop himself, he knocked on her door.Of all the stupid shit you should be doing, this isn’t one of them,he chided himself as he stood there waiting for the door to open. When it did, he didn’t say hi or ask permission to enter. He stepped inside the dank apartment and growled.

“Pack your shit.”

Aurora fisted her hands on her hips. “Excuse me?”

“I think you heard me,” he snapped. “Pack all of your shit. You’re coming with me.”

“I don’t think so,” she said, giving him her back. Anger roared to life in her. Who the fuck did he think he was? “Go home, Mac. You’re not welcome here.”

“Bullshit.” He stepped to her, spinning her around. “You want me here. I know it. I also know you can’t stay here and take care of Abby. Her being sick and this shitty apartment don’t mix.”

“Fuck you, Mackenzie Raferty!” She shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge. “You don’t get to walk into my ‘shitty’ apartment and tell me what to do. This place is mine. I pay the rent and utilities. I put food on the table and take Abby to the doctor. Not you. Not your family. Not anyone but me.”

He bent forward until they were nose to nose. His intoxicating cologne wafted around them wrapping her in a suffocating blanket of arousal. She trembled before him. Her palms itched to run along his chest—dig her fingernails into his pecs to leave behind her scratch marks. The irrational emotional conundrum he pushed her into didn’t make sense.

“You’re right,” he replied with a huff. “ButIam the one who fixed the leaky pipe.Iam the one who’s been taking care of Abby at night while you work. I’m the one who has listened to her cough and worried just as much as you. You can’t stay here, it’s not good for you or her.”

“Well,” she crossed her arms, “it’s still mine.” She squared her shoulders, lifting her chin in defiance.

The growl he let loose with, startled her. Mackenzie lifted her into his arms and kissed her. Like before, the red-hot passion burning between them ignited the minute their lips met. She clung to him, her fingernails dug into his shoulders, and he moaned, palming her ass. Stupid her, she’d fallen into bed only wearing a sleep shirt and her panties. Had she realized she’d have a visitor; she’d have been a little better dressed.

Stop thinking!

“Bedroom,” he muttered against her lips.

“Mac...”

He pulled back slightly. “Bedroom?”

“Are you sure we should b—?”

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