I clasped her hand firmly, aware that we needed to disappear though it was she who needed to vanish more urgently. The Mackenzie clan was far too dangerous, and now that my life had a clear purpose, I was determined to safeguard it at any cost.

Roxanne’s tears streamed endlessly, as if nothing could stem the flow.

“Roxanne, please, calm down. We have to move,” I pleaded, but she wrenched herself free from my grasp, shaking her head violently.

“Where? They’ve surrounded us! There’s no escape we’re going to die.” Her face contorted in despair, and a sharp pang shot through my chest at the sight of her.

Acting on...