Page 8 of Hansen

Evan still couldn’t believe that.What were the odds that he’d be involved in the kidnapping of his long-lost best friend’s mate?Fate had to have a sense of humor.The only thing missing was for Evan to find his own mate and for him to be Davey’s brother or something.It wasn’t possible because Evan already knew that Davey’s brother wasn’t his mate, so maybe a friend?

Evan had a decision to make.He couldn’t stay in the van forever.He had to trust Orion, if anything because Davey’s mate wouldn’t hurt him.

“Really?”he asked.He still wasn’t convinced that these people—whoever they were—would help him, but if Davey was involved, if he was here, then Evan was safe.

He reached out to take Orion’s hand when Orion offered it to him.It felt like a monumental step, and it took Evan’s breath away, but he did it.

Then Orion’s father got up.

Evan scrambled back because there was no way he was getting involved with the asshole.Orion should have killed him when he had the chance, but he hadn’t, and now, his father would hurt both of them.

Evan should have known better than to hope.He’d done so for months, but he’d still been trapped and used and hurt.Nothing would ever change.It was too late.

The man had managed to get to his feet, but that was as far as he went before a weird watery substance engulfed him.Evan blinked, wondering what the fuck was happening now and if it was contagious.

That was when his world shook again.

Davey appeared behind Orion’s father.Evan hadn’t seen him in years, probably—he really ought to find out how long he’d been trapped in various labs—and he looked so good that Evan wanted to cry.They’d been barely more than kids when they’d been forced to separate, and the years showed on Davey’s face, but it was him, and that was all that mattered.Evan doubted he looked anything like he had when they were younger, considering everything he’d been through.

“Do you know how much humidity there is in the air right now?”Davey asked as he moved toward Orion’s father.“Enough to surround you with water.Enough to drown you.”

Evan sucked in a breath behind Orion.What the hell was Davey talking about?Was he the one doing that?How?What was it?What the fuck had happened to Davey?

“Is that what you want me to do?”Davey stopped in front of Orion’s father.“I wouldn’t regret it.I know what you did to your sons, and one of them is my mate.I’d do anything to have you out of Orion’s life, including killing you.You don’t deserve to live, anyway.”

Evan shivered.His best friend had changed.He never would have spoken that way before, but whatever had happened to him since they’d last seen each other, it had hardened him.Evan supposed that the same could be said about him.He wasn’t the same Evan he’d been before, and he never would be again.

“That’s not for you to decide,” Orion’s father said.

He sounded scared, which made Evan feel good.Then he felt guilty for feeling good that someone was scared, but should he?Orion’s father was a hunter.He’d probably kidnapped and hurt dozens of people, if not more.He’d hurt Evan, and he would have done much worse if Orion hadn’t stood up to him and if Orion’s friends and Davey hadn’t intervened.

Orion hadn’t killed his father.Evan wasn’t sure he had it in him.He was a sweet man, no matter who had fathered him.

But Davey wasn’t Orion or Perseus.The Davey Evan had known wouldn’t have hurt a fly, but Davey wasn’t that person anymore.Evan didn’t know this Davey.Maybe he’d kill Orion’s father.

Evan wanted to see what was happening better, so he moved closer to Orion.He stayed in the van, just in case, but he didn’t think anyone would hurt him with Davey there.

“He was going to attack you from behind,” Evan told Orion.

“Good thing my mate stepped in, then,” Orion murmured back.

Evan had wanted to believe him, but part of him had been hesitant.He wasn’t anymore.That really was Davey, and it looked like he was here to save Orion.“You weren’t lying.You really are Davey’s mate.”

“I am, and he’ll be over the moon to find you here.He’s been looking for you.He never stopped.”

Evan smiled.He’d known Davey had never stopped looking for him.He wouldn’t have if their roles had been reversed and Davey had been the one left behind.“I never expected him to stop.I’m just not sure what to do.It’s been so long, and I feel like my life back then doesn’t even belong to me.It’s like it was a dream.”

Or maybe the past few years or so of his life were the dream—the nightmare.Evan wasn’t even sure who he was anymore.

Orion turned to look at him.“Well, if it was a dream, you’re still living it.You’re free, Evan.You’re free, and you have Davey back.”

Evan stared at him.He was right.Evanwasfree.He was finally free, and he had no idea what to do with that.

* * * *

HANSEN ALMOST FELTlike he was out of place here.This felt like a family matter that only Orion, Perseus, Davey, and their father should be involved in—and maybe Davey’s best friend, who was still in the van and was talking to Orion.

Hansen hadn’t seen a lot of Evan yet, but what he had seen worried him.Even though Evan was buried in an oversized hoodie, it was clear that the man needed medical attention and food.When he and Davey had been separated, Evan had been in a lab, and Hansen suspected that was where he’d spent the best part of his time since then.He didn’t know why Evan wasn’t there right now, but it was a good thing.

---