Unforgiven Read Free Page A

desk, the simple greeting delivered almost cautiously.
    I looked at him, not feeling like that needed a response. Responses required too much effort, for very little return. At any rate, everyone seemed to be getting used to my new, quieter nature, so he didn’t miss a beat when I didn’t answer him.
    “It’s been over two weeks since…” He paused. “Since you moved in with us. I think it’s time for you to return to your training. Tracy is ready to begin tomorrow.”
    “Okay.”
    “Are you ready?”
    I shrugged.
    David sighed. “Now look, I know you feel like you’ve lost everything, but I wish you could see that you’ve gained a few things too. You’re not alone here, Mackenzie. We’re all trying to give you some space, but I have to tell you, your attitude is less than encouraging. You have the most potential of anyone I’ve ever seen come through my office. Will you throw that away because you’re too blinded by your grief to seize the life that’s in front of you?”
    My eyes narrowed as anger loosened my tongue. He wasn’t my father any more than the woman I’d grown up with was my aunt. “So, now you want to give me some fatherly advice?”
    The beginnings of a frown formed on his face. “No, I’m just trying to help.”
    “You want to help?” My anger was flowing freely now that the dam had broken. “How about throwing some understanding my way, instead of judging me for the poor way I’m handling my grief?”
    His frown gained traction, and I frowned back. We sat there that way for a few minutes, our disapproval for each other mirrored on our faces. Finally, I asked, “Anything else?”
    “No,” he said, clearly unhappy with me.
    I got up and left, considering David’s reaction to me. The old Mac would’ve been upset that I’d stepped out of line and would’ve wanted to correct it. But the new girl couldn’t find the will to care. It was easier to just let everyone’s concern flow off me.
    Owen met me in the gym outside David’s office, like always. “How’d it go?”
    “How is it that no matter where you are with a job, you’re always here waiting for me whenever I’m done with training or a meeting?” It came out sharper than I’d intended—almost like an accusation. I reminded myself that my irritation was with David, not with Owen. The hurt look on his face made me regret speaking at all.
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that,” I amended. “Thank you for being here.”
    He nodded. “I just happen to be good at managing my duties. That, and I asked to be given only research jobs for the next few weeks while you—” he paused, seeming to search for the words, “—while you ease back into things.”
    I smiled and took his hand as we walked toward the stairwell.
    “So, how did it go?” he asked again.
    “They want me to start training again.” I decided not to say anything about David’s little pep talk. Talking about it would mean going places I wasn’t in the mood to go, giving explanations I wasn’t ready to give, feeling things I didn’t want to feel. Better to pretend it hadn’t happened.
    “That’s good news, right?” He looked at me, searching my face for some kind of indication of how I felt, but it was an ill-fated mission. I felt nothing—well, nothing but grief.
    “When do you start?”
    “Tomorrow, I guess.”
    We walked upstairs together. When he squeezed my hand, I wasn’t sure which one of us he was trying to reassure.
    That night, Mitchell and I sat alone in the gym while Owen did some research for a confidential job. He didn’t tell me the details, and I didn’t ask—not because I was afraid he wouldn’t tell me, but because my heart wasn’t in it, at least not yet. The main room was full of nightly movie watchers, and I was still avoiding the library where my piano was kept, so we retreated downstairs.
    He was lifting some free weights in front of the wall of mirrors while I sat on the floor, pulling at a thread in one