"He won't."
"You don't know that."
"Rachel, look at me." Mac waited until her eyes met his. "I know you. I know who you are. Some asshole PT isn't going tochange that. He could tell me anything, show me anything, and it wouldn't matter. I'm not going anywhere."
"But what if—"
"No what-ifs. Rachel, I'm not Brad. I don't need a PT's approval to know what I want. And what I want is you. Exactly as you are."
Rachel was crying openly now, not bothering to hide it. "I was so scared to tell you. I thought you'd think I was stupid for not seeing what he was doing. Or that you'd blame me for causing it."
"Never. God, Rachel, never." Mac moved to slide into her side of the booth, wrapping his arms around her. She collapsed against him, her body shaking with sobs. "You were a victim of a manipulative asshole."
They sat like that for a long time, Mac holding Rachel while she cried, Sophie quietly keeping other customers away from their corner, giving them privacy.
Finally, Rachel pulled back, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner."
"You told me now. That's what matters." Mac brushed tears from her cheeks with his thumb.
"You really don't think differently of me?"
"I think you're incredibly brave and strong."
She leaned her forehead against his. "I don't feel strong."
"You are. Trust me." He kissed her forehead gently.
They sat in the booth for another hour, Rachel explaining everything she knew about Derek; his reputation, his tactics, his tendency to target people who crossed him.
Mac listened, holding her hand, his mind already working through how to protect her, how to protect the team.
When they finally left the café at 6 PM, Mac opened the truck door for Rachel, his knuckles white on the handle.
"So just to clarify," Mac said, his tone almost conversational, "Derek Matthews assaulted you, destroyed your life as revenge,and is now coming here to mess with my team and the woman I love."
"Yes."
"Cool. Just wanted to confirm before I murder him." Mac's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I'm thinking justifiable homicide. The jury will understand."
"Mac—"
"I'm mostly joking." He waited until she climbed in. "But that psychopath comes near you again? I don't care about his reputation. I will end him."
Despite everything, Rachel smiled slightly.
27
Mac
Friday arrived with wedding rehearsal and a tight knot of anxiety in Mac's chest. Not about the wedding itself, that would be beautiful. But about the looming threat of Matthews.
The rehearsal went smoothly. Cole was visibly nervous, pacing in front of the altar. "What if I trip walking down the aisle?"
"You won't."
"What if I forget my vows?"
"Cole." Mac put his hands on his best friend's shoulders. "You're marrying Ellie tomorrow. The woman you love. Focus on that. Everything else is just details."
