The Curse (Belador #3)(66)

Evalle’s thoughts stumbled all over themselves at the unexpected admission. Why would Isak tell her the truth when he had plenty of reasons for being ticked off at her?

Anyone else would use that opening to vent.

She knew why Isak hadn’t. He had a personal code of honor. The same one that had stilled his trigger finger when he’d discovered her identity as an Alterant and his heart had screamed at him to shoot, that she deserved to die.

That all Alterants had to pay for the death of his friend.

She’d feel the same in his shoes if someone had killed Tzader or Quinn. But just like her two best friends, Isak was a man of honor.

This friend business could be so messy and complicated some days. Just like the situation with Quinn and that he’d lied to her about what he’d told Kizira. What was she going to do about Quinn? Should she give him another chance to explain? Storm had confirmed at least a part of what Sam Thomas had tried to tell Evalle. Her chest ached from feeling betrayed by someone she’d lay her life down for, and the pain would not subside until she found out if he was truly guilty or not.

But Kit had given Evalle the benefit of the doubt—a second chance. Could she do any less for Quinn? And what about Isak? He could have killed Evalle and Kit wouldn’t have said a word, but he hadn’t.

So she shouldn’t give up on trying to keep Isak as a friend.

Once Isak pulled inside the parking garage and parked next to her motorcycle, Evalle took her time unbuckling her seat belt to give him long enough to come around to her side.

She wanted to grin, but didn’t. The gentleman in him had to open her door.

Taking in a deep breath, she schooled her face to be calm and prepared to take one more shot at parting under better terms. She had an idea—one that might backfire on her, but she’d gambled her safety on worse odds.

When he opened her door, he moved back, stopping between her and her bike.

She climbed out and took a slow step toward him, watching to see if he’d flinch or back away.

Like a wall of determination, he didn’t budge.

She closed the space between them to inches, then lifted her hands slowly and gripped the lapels of his shirt. When he didn’t shove her away, she pulled herself up on her toes and kissed him lightly on the lips.

He didn’t lower his head or kiss her back, but he wasn’t entirely indifferent either. She’d opened her empathic senses and picked up a flush of heat coming off him. The kind of heat she’d recently figured out meant interest from a man.

Easing back down, she released his shirt and said, “I am your friend.”

He didn’t respond. Just stood there like an Isak statue.

Turning around to the Hummer, she retrieved the modified viola case that held the compact weapon and slung the strap over her shoulder. She’d settled the case across her back when energy stirred through the air.

Something strong and tense.

Spinning around slowly, she searched the dark parking deck for a hint of what that could have been, listening for a sound. Human … or other?

“Evalle?” Isak said in an even tone.

That drew her full attention. “Yes?”

“Don’t ever do that again.”

Well, crud. She’d never figure out men. This one just used up all his good deals and the last dregs of her patience. “You can bank on me not ever kissing you again.”

He stepped up to her, crowding her comfort zone. Did he think she’d back away? Not a chance.

His big hand came up slowly to her cheek. “That’s not what I meant.”

There weren’t enough hours in a day to figure out how a man’s brain worked. “What did you mean?”

“Don’t ever just …” He leaned closer, whispering, “Peck me and call it a kiss.” His lips touched hers, warm and simmering with heat.

She barely had a chance to catch her breath before he took it away with his kiss. Nothing like the last time he’d kissed her, which had been gentle and sweet. This was a bold kiss, one she wouldn’t soon forget. He slipped his hands around her neck and back, drawing her in closer with each pass of his lips over hers.

Her skin tingled with excitement, a warm feeling that reached her toes and started back up her body. She’d just gotten her bearings when the kiss ended as abruptly as it had started.

She licked her lips, trying to figure out how she felt about that kiss. That very sensual kiss, which had started out as only a let’s-stay-friends kiss. At least on her part.

When he pulled back, dark satisfaction ringed his harsh eyes. He touched her chin with one finger and said, “Just a warning for the next time I see you.”

What exactly was he warning her about? “Does this mean we have a truce?”

“Truce.” With that, he dropped his hand and walked around, climbing into the Hummer.

Another wave of energy swept past her, much fiercer this time.

She opened her empathic senses all the way, searching quickly to figure out what was hovering nearby.

The energy retreated, but she picked up a cold rage so chilling her skin pebbled in reaction.

Isak cranked his engine and looked her way, waiting until she waved him off before he backed up and left.

The minute the Hummer disappeared, Evalle lingered to see if the energy continued to pulse, but nothing followed that last quick rush. Who, or what, had been watching her and Isak?