Mackenzie gasped. “They found Chad Hastings?”

Nathan frowned. “I don’t know . . . I can’t say more.”

“I’m going with you too,” Erin said.

“No. I don’t need an audience.” But he eyed Jack. For moral support? The two had become fast friends.

And Alex? He’d been left out. He inwardly sighed. Like he expected to be included in their investigation.

But he pulled Terra aside. “I want to go too. Could you occupy Mackenzie and her sister?”

“You mean protect them?”

Was he making a mistake? Both sisters had in mind to pursue paths he disagreed with. “Yes. Are you up to it?”

“Owen’s here. Gramps too. I have my trusty gun. No one will bother us here on the ranch.”

“I’m more worried about them leaving.”

“I’ll do my best, but why do you want to go, Alex?”

“I . . . I need a break. I miss being in the field.”

“I understand. Don’t worry. Erin and I will keep them occupied. Keep them safe.”

“Let me talk to Mackenzie about staying here while I go, but I wanted your agreement first.”

“You have it.”

Terra moved to the kitchen to scrape up the leftovers, and Mackenzie quickly took her place, dragging him by the hand out of earshot.

“You’re leaving me?”

And just like that . . . all the dread, the pain of his words to her last night fell away. She still wanted him with her. Still needed him. He saw that much in her eyes. Or was he simply fooling himself? She dropped his hand.

He wanted to take it back. Grip her shoulders. He needed her touch again, but he refrained. “We still have a lot to talk about. A lot to work out. I’m worried about both you and your sister. This guy is dangerous. Please, just for a few hours, stay here. Keep Nora safe. You won’t be alone. Terra is law enforcement. Her family—they all know how to protect you. That is, as long as you stay on the ranch. Can you do that for me?”

“Only if Nora will agree. I still have work to do on the system. Queries to analyze. I should have worked through the night.”

“You can work from here, can’t you?”

“Yes. As long as my access hasn’t been discovered.”

“It’s a covert rogue access point, remember.”

That earned him a smile. “Yes. And I also need to find that drone. I’ll convince Nora I’m searching for it. You’d better get going. Nathan is leaving. Go with him. Trust me. I’ll stay here and wait for you.”

At her words, a fist squeezed his heart. “I trust you, Mackenzie.” Trust. “And about . . .” Betrayal. Could he even say that word she’d used out loud? He hated the sound of it. He hadn’t meant to betray her, but he’d known her reaction would be severe. Initially.