Page 50 of Levi

Fuck, his need for her was palpable, making him ache.

“You wantusto find him?” Hannah asked.

Nick nodded, continuing to smirk in a way that Levi knew annoyed Hannah.

“Our team is behind you both. I can have a SWAT level unit on your back at all times just in case there is more than you can handle.”

Levi clenched his fists, the annoyance from Hannah becoming contagious.

“We don’t need your help,” he snapped. “This shit is personal now. We are going to snap that man in half.”

Both Hannah and Nick gave Levi a dumbstruck stare, one that seemed to foil their initial resolve. Hannah turned back to Nick, her hands tightening around her elbows.

“You’re seriously okay with this?” she asked.

Nick shrugged. It was a strange move for him, a man who seemed so organized and formulated. Levi knew that there was something beyond what he was seeing in front of him.

“I technically can’t stop you,” Nick said, looking at Levi. “But because you work for me, Hannah, I can indeed give you the freedom to accompany your mate or not.”

Hannah stood frozen next to Levi as a glow burst inside him. Mate? What did he mean by mate?

He glanced down at Hannah and realized at once, instinctively, that mate was what Hannah was to him. It was cosmic, decided, and ultimately a truth neither of them could deny any longer.

The tiger inside of him roared. He knew it best. There was never going to be another connection like the one he had with Hannah because she was meant to be his, and he was meant to be hers.

Levi wanted to take her into his arms and kiss her deeply, but he held back, knowing she wouldn’t give into him in front of Nick.

Plus, her body language said enough. Perhaps she felt the same way but was afraid to admit it. She had told Levi early on that relationships weren’t her specialty. The way she was standing, tilting away from him, really confirmed it all.

After a few beats of silence, Nick walked out of the room. He turned back with a tone that bordered on the lines of cocky.

“I trust that you will update me on the situation, Hannah,” he said. “I’m going to inform the FBI in the meantime. Good luck.”

Nick closed the door behind them, which left Hannah and Levi alone once again. They remained still, unwilling to be the first to speak.

Eventually, Hannah fell into the role that suited her best: the professional one.

“We should get going,” she said.

“So that means you’re coming?”

Hannah had moved around to the bedside table, where she found two cell phones that Nick had left for them as well as a wad of cash. She moved robotically like it was something she had done a thousand times.

“Hannah,” Levi said harshly.

She stuffed the money into her pants and held out a cell phone to him. Levi took it but held her gaze before she could retreat from him.

“Of course, I am,” she said, quickly looking away. “Do you really think you’d be able to handle this without me?”

The glow emitted keenly in his chest, but her words still were not the confirmation he desired. His body and heart were yearning, yet his mind was in turmoil. He needed to hear more from her, but he knew they needed to get going if they wanted a head start on catching Lincoln.

Hannah walked to the door when he took her by the wrist. He managed to pull her back, not yet adjusted to his increased strength.

“Ouch, Levi,” she said.

Levi let go instantly, pushing his hands behind his back. “Sorry,” he said. “This mate thing, Hannah. What is it all about?”

She stood for a moment like she was about to open up to him, her mouth opening slightly. Then she shut it like the jaws of life clamping down on a powerful piece of metal.

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