Havenfall Harbor: Book One

by Albany Walker

  Chapter 21

  Evan

  My skin feels like it’s covered in fire ants. My bear is punishing me for not shifting, for not doing something more to show the wolf how serious we are.

  I have to force myself to walk over to Quinn with slow, measured steps instead of bounding over to her and baring my teeth at Rachael. If I’m honest, it’s a reaction I’m not completely comfortable with.

  Griff is silently watching. He sees fucking everything. Quinn takes one look at me and the corners of her mouth slip down into a frown. I must not be doing a very good job of hiding the fact that I’m aggravated. “I’m ready.” She steps back from a display of cream sweaters, her right hand clinging to the strap of her small purse over her shoulder.

  “You didn’t find anything?” I don’t want her rushing on my account, she might come back another time when I’m not with her and who the hell knows how Rachael would respond to that.

  “I was just looking, come on.” Quinn reaches for my hand and tugs until I fall in line behind her, weaving her way out of the store. Once we exit, Quinn releases my hand and leans up on her toes, trying to see around me to make sure Griff has followed us.

  “He’s coming,” I assure her.

  Quinn drops back down on her heels and gives me a sympathetic wince. “Bad history?”

  “I didn’t think so.” I’m not sure how much of Rachael’s words Quinn heard, not that there were many. Anyone who is perceptive would have picked up on the tension between us though, and my shift in demeanor. “We dated for a few weeks several months ago,” I admit, aiming for honesty.

  “Let me guess, you broke up with her.”

  I nod my head and look down the street. This isn’t really something I want to talk about right now, especially since I have the almost overwhelming urge to mark her with my scent. My bear doesn’t give a fuck about the wolf, other than to let her and everyone else know Quinn is mine. I lick my bottom lip, about to speak, when the door pushes open and Griff saunters out, the handles of a paper bag clutched in his hand. After a cursory glance at Quinn, Griff makes eye contact with me. “We’re good,” he says to me, then focuses back on Quinn. “Want to check out the other stores?”

  I’m picking up what Griff isn’t verbalizing. He stayed behind for more than just buying whatever is in that bag. I doubt he even had to say much. Rachael never admitted it, but I think Griff scares her a bit. Honestly, there are not many people he doesn’t intimidate. In the few weeks we were together, she asked me about our friendship once or twice, and she made it obvious she didn’t understand it.

  I glance back into the store window and see Rachael with her phone up to her ear while her mouth is moving a mile a minute. Great, cat’s out of the bag now. Every shifter at Havenfall will know I want Quinn before she even knows it herself. I think we should tell her before someone else says something to her about it.

  Quinn

  It’s early evening and we’re seated at an outdoor patio. I have a cheap bottle of beer in front of me and there’s a live band playing on a stage over in the corner. A great way to end a long week.

  Evan and Griffin have been stellar tour guides. Never once complaining when I asked to go into a store or peruse the downtown area. It did take a little while for Evan to warm back up after the encounter at the sweater shop. He seemed really bothered by whatever happened between him and the gorgeous redhead, which piqued my curiosity. They both kept their voices low enough that even when I was trying to eavesdrop, I couldn’t.

  I look across the round, wooden picnic table at Evan. All the tension from this morning is gone, if anything, he’s been way friendlier, flirty even. Griffin too, in his own way. He’s much more tactile than Evan, who does great with banter.

  Or it could be that I’m making a bigger deal out of things than I should. I mean, maybe the constant touching and little comments are just them being themselves.

  I jiggle an unused coaster back and forth across the scarred wood tabletop with my finger. The stares we received throughout the day haven’t abated. Even now, I can feel eyes on me—well, I should say us. Not that I blame them. I would probably stare, too, if I saw Evan and Griffin walking through small-town USA, I just hope I would be a little more incognito about it than most of the people around here are.

  Evan tips his head back and gives someone behind me a jerk of his chin, calling them over. A few people at the bar greeted him with waves or shouts of welcome, so I know he must come here often, unlike the stores along Main Street.

  The waitress comes over. She actually called Evan Mr. Winters when we sat down, so it isn’t a leap to assume she must have been a resident at Havenfall at some point. “Ready for the check?” She bounces her gaze between the three of us.

  “Yeah, I think we are.” Evan’s voice carries over the music. I’m actually a little sad we’re already leaving. I’m not looking forward to kicking Griffin out of his bed again.

  “Shoot,” I mutter.

  “What’s wrong?” Griffin, of course, hears me.

  “We never went to the hardware store.”

  Griffin’s dark brows pinch.

  “I was hoping to put a new lock on the door. Something I could use while I was inside until we get the keypad thing.”

  Evan lays his forearms on the table and lowers his chin a bit while staring at me. “About that.” He pauses. “Even though everything that happened transpired when you were out of your room, I don’t think you should stay there again. At least until we figure this out.” Evan uses the word we freely.

  I dart my gaze to Griffin. Evan is essentially volunteering his friend’s room to me. A bubble of laughter comes up my throat. I blame the beer, or the fact that I’ve spent quite a bit of time with them over the last few days and I’ve gotten more comfortable around them. “I’ll just move right in,” I say jokingly. “You won’t mind, right, Griffin?” I grab my drink and tip it back, taking the last gulp. Yup, might be the beer making me brave.

  When I place the empty bottle on the table, both guys are just staring at me, neither of them wearing a smile. “I was just joking, guys.”

  “We’re not,” Griffin retorts, surprising me a little. I’ve noticed he doesn’t talk nearly as much when other people are around as he does when it’s just us.

  “You’re not what, joking?” I know they’re taking this threat seriously. I’m just teasing about taking over his room.

  The waitress comes from behind me, interrupting the conversation, and places a small, black padded folder on the table near Evan’s elbow. I reach for it, but he’s much quicker.

  I stand and drag my stiff legs out from under the table. That was the first time I’ve sat down for any length of time all day and my muscles don’t want to work anymore. When I turn to see the rest of the patio, I notice it’s a lot busier than it was when we got here.

  “Wow, it’s packed.” Griffin moves in beside me, and Evan joins us a few seconds later, flanking my other side.

  “It is most weekends,” Evan confirms, and urges me forward with the light pressure of his palm on my lower back.

  I notice a few heads turning to follow us as we make our way through the metal gate. A few I even recognize. “Was that the place Alice invited me to?” I ask Evan when the sound from the bar dies down a little as we gain some distance.

  “Yeah, this is the closest supernatural run bar—or town really.”

  “I thought I recognized a few people,” I remark. Griffin stays quiet as we make our way back to the car. I can’t let the conversation we started at the bar die without making sure he knows I was only joking about moving into his place. “You know I was only teasing, right? I’m not going to turn into some stalker because you gave me a safe place to stay for a couple nights.”

  Griffin keeps looking straight ahead, so I can’t judge what he’s thinking, not that I probably could anyway. “I think I’m starting to get offended, Quinn.” Griffin finally looks at me.

  “What? Why would that offend you?�
� I’m half incredulous, half curious.

  “It’s starting to feel like you might not like me. Don’t you think, Evan?” Griffin looks over the top of my head.

  Evan winces and twists his head to the side. “We should probably just tell her the truth then.”

  I slow my steps until I’m looking at both of their backs. It makes a nice picture until they both stop and turn, seeming to realize I’m behind them. “What truth?” I demand.

  “Think we should tell her?” Griffin watches me, and even in the dim light of the streetlamps I can see the lightness of his eyes.

  “You better tell me.” I cross my arms over my chest, but the atmosphere is playful, so I’m not too worried.

  Evan makes a big deal of walking over to me, then he wraps his arm around my shoulders and leans his head in close, so our faces are side by side. “We want to keep you, Quinn. I told you we make the perfect trifecta.” I bump Evan’s chest with my shoulder, knocking him away slightly.

  “She thinks you’re joking.” The side of Griffin’s mouth is tipped up in a half grin.

  Evan keeps me tucked into his side as he walks us both to Griffin. “She’ll catch on, give her time.” A nervous laugh escapes me. Joke’s on them, I’ll be more than happy to let them keep me. I wrap my fingers around Griffin’s hand while Evan’s arm is still around me. A clear challenge in my stare as I peer over at him. I’m daring him to call my bluff.

  Griffin shakes his head slowly and a real grin lights up his face, reaching all the way to his eyes. I feel his fingers shift until his hand is fully wrapped over mine. Through the slight buzz of three beers over the last few hours, this seems like a totally good idea, plus I’m not going to back down and let them win this battle. I’m made of stiffer stuff than that.

  So that’s how we walk for the next few blocks until we reach the nearly empty lot where we parked this morning. Evan releases me to reach in his pocket and tug out the key fob, the headlights flicker in the dark.

  Evan

  “I won!” Quinn lifts her arms in the air—one Griff is still attached to—as soon as I hit the unlock button. Her cheeks are flushed pink and her eyes are bright. She’s definitely got a little buzz going, but I can tell by her scent she’s nowhere near intoxicated.

  You could have knocked me down with a feather when she reached over and grabbed Griff’s hand. I don’t think the vampire has ever held hands with anyone, but he held hers. “I didn’t realize that was a contest, but I’ll concede to defeat. What spoils do you claim?”

  Quinn tilts her head to the side. “Just your never-failing fealty,” she quips backs quickly.

  “Is that all?” I chuckle as Griffin guides her through the parking lot.

  “I suppose I could release you of your bonds, however I must insist you escort me home safely.” Quinn tips her nose in the air, adding an air of mocking superiority that goes against everything I’ve learned about her over the last several days.

  Griffin shifts his hold on her hand and raises her knuckles to kiss the back of her hand. The smirk on Quinn’s face slips as her lips part. “You can’t take it back. A bond spoken is a bond that must be fulfilled.” Griff delivers the words somberly as he keeps her hand trapped in his and stares into her eyes.

  Quinn swallows, her eyes going large. After a long pause, Griffin tosses his head back and lets out a bark of laughter. I’m pretty sure Quinn really believed him. Her eyes narrow before she snatches her hand away from him, which makes Griff laugh even harder.

  I start to chuckle, finding his joy contagious. Quinn pivots and trudges over to the truck. “That was mean,” she calls over her shoulder.

  “That was priceless,” Griffin murmurs under his breath, cocking his eyebrow at me. Quinn beats us to the car, but not by much, and she slides quickly into the backseat.

  “Seatbelt.” Griff manages to make it sound like it’s a reminder opposed to a demand. Quinn complies easily and leans her head against the seat. I watch from the rearview mirror as she lets out a little sigh and her eyes fall closed. I glance at the digital clock on the radio and note it’s already near ten, still early for us, but she seems kind of tired.

  Though we did try to keep her occupied all day, it wasn’t an accident we didn’t make it to the hardware store. Without a lock she can’t make an argument about going back to her room.

  “Thanks for letting me tag along, guys, I had fun,” Quinn says as we pull out onto the road.

  “Good, mission accomplished, now we just have to decide what to do tomorrow.”

  “Griffin, you don’t mind that your buddy keeps volunteering you and your house to keep me entertained? I’m like the neighbor from hell.” Quinn chuckles, but it sounds a little self-deprecating, like she believes her words.

  Griff turns so he can look into the backseat. “I thought you’d gotten to know me well enough to understand that I don’t do anything I don’t want to.” He holds her stare for a few seconds, then readjusts in his seat. “I’m sure we’ll be able to find something to do tomorrow to occupy our time,” Griffin adds, his tone suggestive.

  Quinn doesn’t respond, but I keep my eyes on her in the mirror and watch her bite her bottom lip to hide the smile on her mouth.

  The rest of the ride home is fairly quiet. There’s a tension building between us, an undeniable attraction, but I still don’t think Quinn is really ready to know just how serious Griff and I are about keeping her.

  The well illuminated gate of Havenfall opens when I hit the control button. I timed it so I barely need to stop. I hear the click of Quinn’s seatbelt, then she slides over into the middle seat. “How long have you been in charge here, Director Stone?” Quinn places an emphasis on his title, but there’s no anger with it, it’s more like she’s just giving a little playful dig.

  I watch as Griff peers to the left but doesn’t move his head. “As long as I care to remember.” I’m happily surprised he’s giving information freely. “This was once my family home.” Griff looks out the side window at the forest between the entrance and the manor.

  I, myself, can’t imagine growing up in a place like this, at least not the way he did. “Wait.” Quinn scoots forward on her seat to draw herself closer between the front seats. “Havenfall was once your house, as in singular home?”

  “Yes, my father had it built before I was born.”

  Quinn blinks her eyes several times and leans back into the seat. Clearly astonished. “Wow, are you royalty or something?” She lets out a little laugh.

  Griff doesn’t respond. She has no idea how true her words are. Griffin is the closest thing to vampire royalty there is, at least in the United States. “I could go for some ice cream, want some?” I change the subject, pulling up near the front stairs and parking.

  “Oh, ice cream,” Quinn coos, easily distracted.

  Griff gives me a grateful look before opening his door then reaching for Quinn’s right after. She’s a little slow to ease out of the backseat, and her nose scrunches up cutely when her foot hits the ground. Griff takes her hand and folds it over his elbow like the noble he is, and heads for the staircase. His steps are slow, measured beside Quinn’s, so I reach the heavy door well before they do and hold it open for them. Quinn gives me a sweet smile of thanks as she passes through.

  Bill is behind the security desk. He rises when we enter, his eyes darkening when he sees Quinn. Bill doesn’t like humans, doesn’t see much use for them, and doesn’t bother trying to keep it a secret. He was one of the few supes who opposed having a human liaison come to Havenfall, not that Griff allowed anyone to think it was their choice.

  Before, I could ignore his dislike. We’re pretty removed from humans here, so it made little difference, but seeing the way he looks at Quinn with clear disdain has a growl working its way up my chest.

  Griff saunters Quinn right over to the front desk, her hand still laced over his arm. It’s a clear show of unity. Bill’s lips thin, but he doesn’t utter a word, he lowers his eyes to the desk then his body
into the chair, any aggression completely subdued after one look from Griff.

  I walk over to the entrance door and wave my badge, unlocking it. Griff holds his ground a few seconds longer, Quinn shifts her weight. She probably has no idea why Griff is staring down the man in front of her. Eventually, he guides her over to me, where I’m still holding the door.

  Once the solid door snaps closed behind us, Quinn pulls her hand free from Griff. “Okay, so I may sound ignorant, but what was that?”

  “What do you mean?” Griff tries and fails to sound as if he doesn’t know what she’s alluding to.

  “Why were you hairy eyeballing that guy?” She hooks her thumb over her shoulder, meaning Bill.

  I snort, but school my features. Griff was, in fact, giving him the eyeball. I’m interested to see how he’s going to handle this question.

  Griffin

  Shit, it’s not like I’m going to tell Quinn I was intimidating him because I didn’t like the way he was looking at her. I also don’t want her knowing that that vampire has an open dislike for humans other than drinking their blood. He sees them as a food source, nothing else. I don’t want her to have another reason to be uncomfortable here.

  “We have a history?” I blurt, when I can’t figure out what else to say.

  “You guys dated?” Her eyes are a little wide, but I don’t sense an ounce of disapproval or unease.

  I scowl when Evan—my supposed friend—roars out a laugh. “Not that kind of history,” I amend.

  Quinn narrows her eyes on Evan while he’s still mid belly laugh. “What’s so funny?” She pokes her finger into his side. He’s quick enough to catch her hand before she can pull all the way back.

  “I never have any clue what’s going to come out of your mouth. You surprise me at every turn.” He grins down at her. I watch as his mood shifts. The curl of his lip falls a little as he swallows and wets his bottom lip. I know for certain he’s thinking about kissing her. Hell, now I’m thinking about kissing her.