Page 79 (1/1)

I began striding forward, drawn in by the uncertainty in Tate’s eyes

Because that was the first thing I needed to change

Chapter Twenty-Four

Tate

I had to remind myself not to squeeze Matty’s shoulders too hard as I watched Hawke stride towards us, his expression unreadable I’d gone back and forth with ain was a good idea, but in the end I couldn’t deny ain, even if it was just for a few minutes But when Hawke didn’t smile or even slon as he neared us, a terrible fear went through me that I’d made a horrible mistake

I shook my head as Hawke reached us and said, “Hawke, I’m sorry” but my words were abruptly cut off when Hawke’s lips slammed down on mine He sed my cry of surprise and stole into my mouth as his arms went around me I recovered quickly and kissed hi frantically in

Hawke released my mouth and clasped ether “I love you so ain and then his arms wrapped around my shoulders in an al as I finally understood as happening and I curled my arms around his back and just held on to him

I didn’t think it could get better until he whispered, “Stay with me,” in my ear

I was too overco he’d hear my silent answer

The past three weeks had been an endless struggle from the one any better and I’d been beyond excited that he’d been cleared to leave the hospital for a week, but my joy had been tempered by the fact that my need for Hawke hadn’t dwindled as each day had passed; it had grown and grown into an almost unbearable pain that made even the sied to focus hen the nurses had explained what I would need to do for Matty during the week he was home Ronan had been by e covering Matty’s central line and the signs to watch for that would indicate any kind of infection I’d also gotten a rundown of the antibiotics I would need to adh the central line I’d been terrified by the prospect of all the things that could go wrong, but one look at ain and I’d pushed my fear aside

And then Matty had started asking if we’d be able to visit Hawke

I’d explained when I’d gotten back to Seattle that Hawke had had to stay behind so he could keep looking for the bad guys That hadif we could call Hawke Luckily, I’d been able to distract hiot about his request, but even theand stark fear

I’d confessed my fear for Hawke’s safety when Ronan had picked h I hadn’t been one hundred percent clear what kind of professional relationship Ronan and Hawke had, my instincts had told me that Ronan wasn’t the kind of man to sit idly by when one of his friends was in trouble And I’d been right That very day, Ronan had toldHawke’s location and had sent someone to watch Hawke’s back when he went to Laredo

Only he hadn’t gone to Laredo

I’d wanted to believe that it was a sign that s could be different for hiht before I’d left had made a difference But I’d been too afraid to hope

Noas all I felt as Hawke heldto each other for, but when Hawke put some space between us, I finally remembered Matty and I looked down to see that he’donto me I had no idea what to even say to Matty since he’d never seen rin on his face told uessed it was another thing I had Ronan and Seth to thank for since they were so openly affectionate around one another