Page 58 of Hard Shift

Elizabeth sat up, letting the covers fall to her waist. She covered his hand. “This is bigger than us, Rhys. All those abducted women need me; they need what the others and I can do in order to save them.”

Rhys stood and turned toward her. “Fuck, Elizabeth. I won’t stay behind, not if you’re in danger. Don’t ask me to.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together. She could see the determination in Rhys’ eyes. He wasn’t going to stay behind. She knew it like she knew herself. No words were going to convince him, no words he wanted to hear.

She swallowed around the lump in her throat as she rose from the bed. “You once told me you’d do anything to make me happy.”

She paused, her heart cracking in a million pieces at what she was about to say.

“Lizzie, don’t,” he growled, knowing what was coming next.

“You have to let me go.” She bit the inside of her mouth to stifle any tears. “I’ll never be the mate you need or deserve. Never be able to give you a family or be the wife you want. This life isn’t for you, but it is for me. I have to do this. I have to be here, you”—she shook her head—“don’t.”

Her cell phone rang, breaking the silence. She answered it, confused to see Evan’s number. “Hanson.”

“Meet me in the training room and leave the bear.”

She turned her back to Rhys. “Why?”

“Just do it.”

“Fine,” she answered, turning toward Rhys while she pulled up her jeans and zipped them, “I have to go meet Evan in the training room.” She tugged on an oversized shirt. “When I get back, we’re finishing the conversation.”

“Yeah…we are.” He answered as if whatever he might say would change her mind.

She slipped into her boots and shoved a gun in the back of her jeans. Rhys was leaning against the wall, watching her get ready, his arms crossed over his chest, a scowl of disapproval on his face. He reached for her as she opened the door. “There’s nothing you can say to me that will make me change my mind. If you’re doing this, then I am, too.”

Elizabeth walked out, letting the door close behind her. She had to find a way for him to understand. If he got hurt or worse, it would destroy her. Up until now, she’d never had anyone to worry about. Having a mate, even if she couldn’t claim him, was going to kill her. She’d always be worried. No, it was better to break things off. He’d stay safe. Even if she’d never be the same, never love another, he’d be safe.

She opened the door to the training room to find Evan standing shirtless in the middle of the floor. Sweat beaded his chest, and his hair was damp and mussed.

“What?” she asked.

“You’re making it difficult for me to train.”

Her brows dipped. “What the hell are you talking about?”

He pointed to his temple. “I can hear you. I know what’s going on, what you’re thinking. You’re being kind of loud about it, so what’s it going to take to get you to go to sleep?”

“Asshole,” she grumbled and turned to leave.

He was standing in front of her before she took her first step, he moved with his crazy speed blocking her from leaving. He stepped closer, and she stepped back. They continued the song and dance until he had her in the middle of the room.

“What are you doing?”

Don’t hate me for this,he said in her mind as he lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck. He pulled her against his chest and laid a kiss on her that, had it been Rhys, would have melted her panties. He kissed her like a man starved. The kiss lacked spark and desire, confirming what she already knew. He wasn’t her mate.

If you don’t stop, I’ll kill you,she demanded through their minds, trying to untangle her arms and break the connection.

I’m protecting you and yours in the only way I know how. It’s the only way to keep him safe,Evan answered back, breaking the kiss.

Her chest heaved while trying to catch her breath. He turned to look at the door, and she followed his gaze. Rhys was standing in the doorway. His eyes shifted to that of his bear, his shift barely being held in check.

“Is this why you want me to leave? Because you want to be with him?” he asked.

Elizabeth pressed her lips together and swallowed around the lump in her throat. If she opened her mouth, she’d beg him to stay, and she couldn’t, not if it meant losing him in a battle he was ill-equipped to fight. No, she wouldn’t speak.

“Answer me, damn it,” he growled.

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