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Havana felt those words worm their way inside her and burrow deep. When he’d said he wanted to talk, she hadn’t imagined he’d claim they were mates. She didn’t feel the tug of the mating bond. And although that didn’t mean he was wrong, it also made her reluctant to believe he was right, despite his claim seeming to settle something inside her.
“I wish it hadn’t taken you getting shot to open my eyes. What happened today … the thought that I’d fucked around, wasted time, and could have lost you before I’d even had the chance to claim you … it was the kick in the gut I needed but wish I hadn’t had, because I hate that you almost died.” He snaked his arms around her. “I failed you by letting my issues jam our bond. I won’t let you down like that again.”
She swallowed. “How is your cat feeling about all this?”
“He’s on the same page as me. He wants no one but you. Before, I couldn’t have guaranteed he’d always feel that way, which was why I gave you up. But now that I know you and I are mates, I can tell you for certain he’ll never let you go.” His arms contracted around her. “And neither will I.”
They both stilled when his cell began to ring.
Tate fished it out of his pocket. “I need to take this,” he told her. He swiped his thumb over the screen and said, “Tell me you have good news, River.” His eyes went hard, and his jaw clenched. “Shit. … Yeah … All right, gotta go … Later.” He rang off.
“It wasn’t good news,” she guessed.
“No, it wasn’t. The license plate number didn’t match the vehicle. I don’t know if the driver or shooter stole the plate, but it didn’t belong to the Charger.”
She groaned, exasperated. “Would it really be too much to ask that the universe send dumb criminals our way who struggle to cover their tracks?”
“I’d rather no criminals were sent our way.” Tate brushed her bangs out of her face. “The bastards are gonna pay, Havana. No one harms what’s mine and lives.”
There was that “mine” word again. There was so much feeling in it, so much conviction. And she’d be lying if she said that she didn’t like hearing him say it. But she had to be honest with him, even knowing it might slice at his ego. “Tate, I don’t say this to hurt you, but … I don’t feel the pull of the bond, I’m sorry.” She thought he’d frown or scowl or curse. Instead, his expression softened.
“I already know that, baby. I can’t exactly judge you for that—I didn’t feel it myself until a few hours ago. I’m a lot of things, Havana, but I’m not delusional. I know you’re mine. Every cell of my body is screaming it at me. Do you think I’d lie about that?”
“No. I just … I don’t know, it’s hard to process what you’re saying.” She felt blindsided, and her thoughts were all jumbled.
“What does your devil think?”
“She’s doing a lot of haughty sniffing—it’s kind of her thing. When I ended our fling, she thought you’d protest and offer me more. But you let me go, and she sort of slammed a mental door on you.”
His eyes sharpened. “Ah, I see. Then I need to make her re-open it. I need to win back her trust and prove myself to her.” He slid his hands into her wet hair. “She probably feels a little betrayed that I was once open to imprinting on another female. Do you?”
It hurt, but it had happened long before Havana walked into his life, so he hadn’t exactly betrayed her. But she realized then that a small elemental part of her did actually feel betrayed. Which made no sense. Unless he was right. “You truly, honestly, definitely believe that we’re mates?”
“With everything in me.” He dabbed a feather-light kiss on her mouth. “I wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t absolutely certain. It’s okay that you’re not so sure—I’m sure enough for both of us. That I promise you.”
Looking into his eyes and hearing the utter sincerity in his voice, it was impossible not to believe him. Did that mean he was right in his belief? No. But he certainly thought he was. And, given the almost primal way her entire being seemed to respond to his assertion, she was starting to think that just maybe he had reason to be so certain.
“I almost marked you that day you ended the fling, you know. I could feel you slipping away from me, and I hated it. The urge to bite you just bubbled up. It hasn’t left me. Look, I’m not declaring that I need to claim you straight off. I don’t want to claim you until you know all the way down to your soul that I’m yours. Otherwise, it wouldn’t mean what it should mean to you. If you and your devil need time to see the truth, I’ll give it to you. I can be patient. But I don’t plan to leave your side much—you should know that now. Don’t ask me to give you space. That I can’t do. It would go against everything in me. Especially right now, while danger is shadowing you. So don’t ask that of me, baby. I’ll give you anything but that.” He breezed his fingertip over her lower lip and then dropped his hand. “Tell me something. If you discovered I was right and that we’re mates, would you be disappointed?”
