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  “That’s not why I want to talk to him. I’m not looking for someone either. It might help him in some way. That’s all.”

  Paul leaned against a cabinet. “Is that why you’re still single? Don’t you ever get lonely?”

  “I go on dates that Mom sets up.”

  “We both know those don’t count. You only do it to get her off your ass so she won’t badger you.”

  “True. I get to tell her that I tried but there were no sparks. She can’t fault me for that.”

  “But don’t you get lonely?” He pressed the issue.

  She decided to be honest. “All the time, but then I think about Tommy and what we had. We grew up together. Who is going to love me the way he did? I hear all the dating horror stories from my single friends. No thanks. Men play games, cheat. Those I’ve met just wouldn’t mesh with me.”

  “There are good guys out there. I’m proof of that.” He grinned. “I didn’t need to date Becky since the seventh grade to make a good husband. We met much later and I’m almost ten years her senior. I worship the ground she walks on.”

  “I know. One day I’ll be ready, but not yet.”

  “Have you told our mother that?”

  “She thinks I’m wasting my life by being single, and you know she wants grandchildren. She’s given up on you and Becky presenting her with one.”

  He laughed. “Sounds like Mom. She was so disappointed when I joined the military instead of working for Dad. She used to throw everyone’s daughter at me right after I graduated high school. It was part of the reason I wanted out. She always wanted a third kid and I think she figured a grandchild would be just as good.”

  Dana shrugged. “She’s pushy. No one can deny that. It’s gotten worse since Dad died, and she lives alone. She asked me to move in with her or to allow her to move in with me.” She winced. “I’d strangle her. Part of it is my fault. I was really messed up after Tommy died so I didn’t fight her as much as I should have when she took over parts of my life. I just didn’t have the strength or the will. She’s way worse than she was when we were kids.”

  “I know. I couldn’t wait to get out on my own. She loves us. There’s no denying that, but she micromanages us. It drove me nuts.”

  “At least you got away from her. I envied you that while you were traveling around the world. She threw a fit every time I even went on vacation. You should have heard her rant when I said I was planning to visit you. It’s just a weekend but she started in with the guilt trips of what could happen to her if I left her alone for a few days.” She snorted. “As if she’s some delicate flower.”

  “It wasn’t so great being enlisted. It’s why I got out and work here now. Not to mention, once I met Becky, I didn’t want her worrying about me being deployed, or to have to leave her for months at a time. I sure as hell didn’t want to live close to Mom. She’d drive us crazy.”

  She studied him. “Ever regret not becoming a doctor?”

  “No. I like being a nurse. Way less stress.”

  She nodded. “I understand that.”

  “Is anyone here?” The male voice came from somewhere down the hallway.

  Paul pushed away from the cabinet. “Stay put and yell out if Mourn wakes.”

  “Will do,” she agreed.

  Paul rushed out of the room and she turned her attention to the still patient on the bed. Time passed as she watched his chest rise and fall. Her gaze traveled over him, taking note that his arms had changed position and the restraints were pulled tight. She sat up a little straighter.

  “I’m Dana, Paul’s sister. We’re alone so you can stop pretending you’re still out for the count.”

  His eyes snapped open and he turned his head on the pillow. She was amazed by their color—blue surrounded the black pupils, but the outer irises were a reddish-yellow, reminding her of autumn leaves on a bright, clear day. They were striking and surreal, but she was certain they weren’t contact lenses.

  She stood, but kept a few feet back. “Hi.”

  “Release me.” He had a deep, gruff voice.

  “You know I can’t do that. Your doctor put you in restraints for a reason. I hear you started a fight with someone.”

  He looked away and pulled roughly against the straps. They held, but she heard little ripping sounds from the Velcro. The arm with the torn shirtsleeve revealed bunched, thick muscles. He was really fit, reminding her of some of the bodybuilders who frequented her local gym. She decided to distract him since he looked strong enough to break free if he kept at it.

  “You’re Mourn, right? That’s your name?”

  He growled. It was a disturbing sound. He tried to move his legs next, shifting them on the bed. One of the bedrails groaned.

  She stepped forward and grabbed hold of the metal to pull in the opposite direction in case it snapped. “Stop it.”

  He glared at her and his full lips parted to reveal some sharp fangs. “I don’t take orders from you, human.”

  If looks could kill… She pushed that thought back though. “No. You just pick fights with other New Species. My name is Dana. You can use it. I’m Paul’s sister, if you didn’t hear me the first time.”

  “Let me go and I won’t hurt you.”

  She wasn’t afraid. “You look terrifying, strapped down on a bed, covered in bruises and fresh bandages.” She forced a smile. “You’d be disappointed if you think I could inflict more damage. You’d hit me, I’d fall down and stay there. What would be the point?”

  Surprise widened his eyes and he grew still.

  “Does it help when you get beaten on by some badass? That’s the impression I got.”

  He said nothing, just watched her.

  “It’s a valid question, but I’ve never tried that. I’m not into pain. I have enough of it on the inside, so I don’t need to nurse physical injuries.”

  “Are you a head shrink?” He curled his lip in disgust.

  “No. We have something in common though. We both have experienced the loss of someone we deeply loved.”

  He turned his head away, staring at the door. “I don’t want to talk to you. Get out.”

  She moved into his line of sight to peer into those amazing eyes of his. “How long has it been since you lost your mate?” She remembered the term New Species used.

  He didn’t answer.

  “I lost mine two years ago. Do you know what I hate the most? It’s when I sleep. I dream that he’s still with me, but then I always wake up and have to face the reality of his empty side of the bed.”

  His lips compressed into a firm grimace. She waited to see if he’d say anything, but a good minute ticked by as they regarded each other.

  “I’ll be visiting with Paul and Becky for a few days if you change your mind about speaking to me. I won’t push any harder, but it does help to talk to someone who understands the loss. I didn’t believe it at first when people told me that, but I was wrong. You’ve probably tried everything else so what do you have to lose?”

  She turned away and took a few steps toward the door.

  “You should avoid sleeping.”

  The raw pain in his voice tugged at her heartstrings. She faced him. “I tried that but eventually exhaustion sets in.”

  “I know.”

  She hesitated. “Do you ever allow anyone near you besides when you’re starting a fistfight?”

  “No.”

  She approached his bed. He was a big guy, a stranger, but the haunted, pained look in his eyes was one she knew well. They were kindred spirits. “I’m going to hold your hand.”

  Surprise widened his eyes. “Why?”

  “Try it.”

  Dana leaned against the bedrail and reached out to him. He felt really warm, as if he had a fever. She laced her fingers with his. He didn’t jerk away or try to avoid the contact. He also didn’t clasp hold of her, but instead just seemed to endure her touch.

  “Physical contact is a part of healing. It reminds us we’re alive. We are, you know. Aliv