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"A monster." She reaches for the door handle. "No better than Hammond himself."

"I'm nothing like him."

"Aren't you? You both used shifters for your own gain. The only difference is you feel bad about it afterward."

I move toward her, unable to let her leave with that comparison hanging between us. "I've spent millions trying to find a cure. I've risked everything to keep you safe, to give you what you need to stop this."

"After causing it in the first place!" She backs up against the door. "Don't you dare act like you're some kind of hero."

"I never claimed to be a hero." I stop just inches from her. "But I'm not the villain you want me to be, either."

"Then what are you?"

"A man who made a terrible mistake." My voice drops lower. "A man who's trying to make it right."

Her eyes search for mine, looking for truth or lies. I don't know which she finds.

"I don't know if I can trust you," she says finally.

"You don't have to trust me." I reach past her to unlock the door, my arm brushing hers. "Just use what's in those files to find a cure. That's all that matters now."

She doesn't move, even though the door is unlocked. We stand there, too close.

"Why did you kiss me?" she asks suddenly. "That day in your office. Was that part of your plan too?"

The question catches me off guard. "No."

"Then why?"

"Because I couldn't help myself." I lift my hand, almost touching her face before letting it fall back to my side. "Because from the moment you stormed into my office and called me a corporate parasite, I wanted you."

Her breath catches. "That's not a good enough reason."

"It's the only one I have." I step back, giving her space. "I want you, Dahlia. Even knowing you hate me now. Even knowing you've been with them. I still want you."

"You don't get to say that." Her voice wavers. "Not after what you've done."

"I know." I move back to my desk, putting physical distance between us. "I'm sorry. I know you hate me."

She hesitates, her hand on the doorknob. "I don't hate you."

The words surprise me. "You should."

"Believe me, I'm trying." A ghost of a smile touches her lips. "But hate would be simpler than... whatever this is."

Before I can respond, I hear a sharp beeping sound. Dahlia glances at her watch, her expression changing from conflicted to alarmed in an instant.

"Shit!" She yanks the door open. "His heart rate is crashing!"

Chapter 16 - Evan

The beeping had barely stopped echoing down the hall before the silence became unbearable.

It’s been just over two hours since Dahlia had stabilized the shifter and then locked herself in her room without a word.

"She's been in there for hours," I mutter, staring at Dahlia's closed bedroom door.

Leo leans against the wall opposite me, arms crossed. "Give her space."