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Murderous was more like it. He’d felt guilty about pushing her when looking for Miles, and it’d been Damen’s idea to give her medication to help her through until she was ready to face things.

But that had never worked out well in the past—solving issues that way. I wasn’t sure why they’d thought this time would be any different.

“But what—” Bryce began.

I ignored the rest of his unspoken question and left him standing by the glass doors. Bianca was already some distance away by the time I’d gotten my car. I took my time riding up behind her, lingering only a short moment as she moved down the sidewalk. Her stride was beginning to slow, which meant that she was either running out of steam, or that she was in too much pain to do anymore stomping.

“Hey you,” I called out of the open passenger window. “Do you need any help?”

She froze, skirt swaying around her knees as she glanced at me. Her eyes widened and her face flushed.

I grinned—she remembered.

What was it I said exactly? “This isn’t the greatest place for a beautiful woman to be wandering around alone.”

She blushed, although it was possible that her face was pink from anger.Especially considering the scene she was running from.

“Has that line ever worked for you before?” she asked, facing me fully as she tucked her hands under her elbows, the pink sleeves of her too-large sweater hiding her fingers.

“All the time,” I admitted with a wink. “Haven’t you heard, I’m onForbes. They say I’m the most eligible bachelor of the year.”

“You’resomething, that’s for sure.”Her lips quirked, and my chest lightened. I’d gotten her to smile again.

“Insanely attractive?” I tilted my head, tucking my hair behind my ear.

She became even pinker. “I wouldn’t say that,” she answered, glancing away.

Bianca would definitely say that. I could smell the evidence from here. The only difference was, unlike the first time we’d met, there was no underlying fear in her scent.

I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect mate.

“Get in,” I told her. “It’s cold, and you’re hurting.”

Her response was clear from the way she squared her shoulders. Her eyes flashed as she replied. “I’m fine.”

When it came to a battle of wills, Mu was always the one who gave in first. Not that it mattered, I’d give her almost anything she wanted. So there was no need to fight.

There was only one thing I wouldn’t allow.

“I don’t care, this is where I draw the line.” I reached across the seat and pushed open the passenger door. “Get in.”

Her mouth popped open, and she blinked at me. “Are you bossing me around?” She seemed stunned.

‘Since when?’

I almost thought I heard it, but the question was written so plainly on her expression, so maybe I was getting better at reading her. We weren’t atthatpoint in our bond yet.

Thankfully.

There were things I was still learning to deal with, including thoughts I’d never had before. And it didn’t help that I had no idea what to expect.

I’d even dug through the archives with Maria’s help, compiling lists of the many ways that mates connected through their bonds. Maria believed that since I wasme, I would probably have some measure ofeverysort of connection with Bianca.

I hoped she was wrong.

As of right now though, there was no way to tell what our bond would be like. But I did know, at least, that telepathy was included.

“We need to talk,” I said instead. I’d been avoiding this conversation, but now that we were alone, I really had to come clean.