Page 54 of Levi

HANNAH

“We need to go.”

Hannah nearly leapt over the table and left without paying for their meals. It didn’t really matter at that point anyway. No one would chase them. Plus, she was blinded by her fear, the darkness of her past rushing into her body and soul.

“Hold on,” Levi said.

He took her by the wrist, which was stronger and tighter than he had ever held her before.

“Levi …”

“Wait.”

He turned to see what was going on. She predicted that he was in protective mode, thinking that she had spotted some of Lincoln’s minions. But what she had seen had much more of an effect on her personally.

He was able to get a good look at what Hannah was reacting to. He loosened his grip on her and turned back, smiling beautifully.

“She looks just like you,” he said.

Hannah was half standing, half sitting as he held onto her hand. Logically, there wasn’t anywhere for her to go. Her mother was standing by the door, waiting for the host to guide her to her seat. She could run to the bathroom and evade her, then slip out the front without her ever noticing her own daughter.

“Don’t do that,” Hannah said sharply.

“Do what?”

Hannah could rip her hand from his, catch him off guard, and bolt. But then there was the mission. And there was Levi, her fated mate.

She plopped down reluctantly, leaning on the table to keep her eyes from meeting the ones that may as well have been a mirror.

“You have to talk to her,” Levi said.

She met her mate’s eyes, rage coursing through her like rapids.

“No, I don’t,” she hissed. “You aren’t my therapist, Levi. You don’t know me because I wept in your arms one time.”

Hannah regretted her words as soon as they came out of her mouth. They could have cut him deep, enough to sever their budding romance. But all Levi did was watch her closely as if to read her mind and smirk.

He did know her. He knew her better than anyone in the world. He knew her well enough to disregard her words as her pain oozed out of her like poison coming out of a wound.

It made her fall even deeper in love with him.

“You need to do this so you can heal,” he said. “There is and has always been a part of you that wanted your mother back, as much as you didn’t want to admit it. You want it, but you’re also scared of her crushing your heart again.”

Hannah’s hands came to her face and rubbed her eyes hard. She was glad she wasn’t wearing any makeup because if she was, it would have all been smeared off by then.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “She just … brings back so many horrible memories. I don’t think I can face them.”

Levi reached out and touched her elbow. Hannah took her hands from her eyes and leaned on her palms, looking at the gorgeous specimen in front of her. He was still smiling, encouraging her, soothing her.

“No one can tell the future, Hannah,” Levi began. “But I think you know that if you don’t take this chance, you will regret having not tried. You at least have to try.”

Hannah hated that he was right. After all these years, what were the chances of her mother walking into the same steakhouse they had supposedly randomly pulled into? And when would she get that opportunity again?

She brought her hand to Levi’s and held onto him tightly.

“You’re right,” she said.

He gave her a sweet wink.

---