She drew in a shuddering breath.
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to act around him. I hate that I’m attracted to him. I hate that he’s nothing like I thought he was going to be. I hate that I don’t hate him. Nothing makes sense anymore.”
“Kit, everything that you’re going through right now is perfectly natural. After what happened to your friend at the hands of a Viper, it’s no wonder you hate them. They’re criminals through and through, and they go against everything we’ve ever stood for as FBI agents.”
She nodded, but he wasn’t done.
“But honey, it’s also perfectly okay that you don’t hate him. You’re not supposed to. He’s your mate. God only knows why fate thought that the two of you were the perfect match, but there’s obviously a good reason for it.”
“Is there, though?” she whispered. Because if fate really meant them to be together, if fated had looked at both their souls and determined them to be a perfect match, then what did that say abouther?
“What’s that old saying again?” Hawk said. “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes? This is probably a good time to remember that. I’m not saying that you should forgive him of everything he’s ever done, but he’s obviously trying to make up for his past. He wouldn’t have come forward if there wasn’t some good in him. Perhaps that’s the man you need to get to know right now. Not the man who used to be a Viper.”
Eve frowned. “When did you get so wise?”
Hawk spluttered a laugh, but then his expression turned stoic.
“It was probably around the time that I met my mate. What can I say? She’s made me a better man. Mates do that. They’re meant to lift us up, not bring us down, you know?”
Eve sighed and when she looked towards the house, Liam was standing in the open front door, watching her with something bordering on despair. It made her remember that she was still standing in Hawk’s arms. Even though Liam was human, he would still feel the pull of the mate bond. She stepped back, putting distance between her and her friend, not that Hawk would have meant anything by the hug other than to offer her comfort. When a shifter met their mate, everyone else ceased to exist for them. Just as they would cease to exist for Eve now, too.
When Liam disappeared into the house, Eve pulled her shoulders back and made to follow. She owed the man an apology. She’d been overly harsh on him. She could see that now.
“Thanks for the talk, Hawk. I appreciate it.”
He clapped her on the back as she moved past him. “Sure thing. Whenever you need me to pull your head outta your ass again, just give me a shout. I’m here for you.”
“You might be wise, but you’re still a dick!” she shouted over her shoulder.
Hawk’s booming laughter followed her into the house. Once inside, Eve went in search of Liam and found him in the kitchen, washing dishes.
“I’m sorry,” she said as soon as she entered the room. “I haven’t been fair to you.”
Liam spun around. “Are you together?” he asked before she could say anything further.
Eve didn’t need to ask him to clarify, it was perfectly clear that he was talking about Hawk. She shook her head.
“No, we’re not. Hawk has a m— a partner, and even if he didn’t, there wouldn’t be anything between us. We’re friends and SWAT team partners, nothing more.”
Liam seemed surprised that she had answered him so honestly. He lowered his gaze.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I asked you that. It’s really none of my business.”
Now that she was being honest…
“There’s a reason why I hate the Vipers so much,” she said, drawing Liam’s attention back to her.
“There is?”
She nodded. “They…” She pulled in a calming breath then tried again. “One of them raped a good friend of mine.”
Liam heaved a sigh. “I wondered if there was something…specific. I’m sorry.”
“Why? You didn’t do it.”
“No. And I would never.”
“Actually, it was more than just the rape,” Eve said. “He mutilated her. Slashed open her face, left her disfigured for life.”
