Page 49 of Havenfall Harbor
Evan looks down at the chair and purses his lips. Right, if Griffin nearly breaks the chairs, Evan surely will. I come out from behind my desk and motion for the door. “Want to take a walk down to the cafeteria with me?”
“Yeah, I can do that.” Evan beats me to the door, and even though it’s already open, he places his hand on the knob and waits for me to exit in front of him.
Once we’re in the hall, we walk side by side to the stairs. “So, what’s going on?” Evan asks, sparing me a quick glance before he trains his gaze on the corridor around us.
“I’m guessing Griffin already told you about last night?”
“Yeah, he told me.” Evan’s voice is pitched low.
I tuck my hair behind my ears. “Well, it’s obvious a locked door isn’t keeping anyone out.” A bit dramatic, yes. “Since you’re head of security, I was hoping you could help me figure out what’s going on, change rooms, get a better lock…” I lift my hands in the air, not even sure what I’m asking of him.
I feel Evan’s hand on my right shoulder, his arm curling over my back for a second in a half embrace, before he releases me and continues walking like it never happened.
The small bit of comfort is welcome. I don’t have many people I can talk to about this, I don’t want to drop the drama on Alice…and Griffin, ugh, I don’t even want to think about him right now. I thought we were becoming friends. How can he be so thoughtful one second and a complete ass the next?
I slow my steps as we reach the stairs and turn to face Evan. “Is there something I’m not seeing here? Why would someone do that, or the pig for that matter? I mean, I know I’m still learning about supernaturals, but I don’t think this is me not understanding the gesture. Is it?”
Evan looks over my head, his lips in a thin line. “No, Quinn, it’s just someone’s fucked up idea of trying to scare you. I just don’t know why.”
I let out a heavy breath. At least I can feel better about feeling threatened. “Right, I mean the pig was already dead, and the blood was nasty, but knowing someone is able to get in and out of my room is the worst part. I just don’t get what the pig or the blood mean.” I start my descent down the stairs, Evan stays at my side.
“That’s why we were thinking kids, but I’m not so sure now. The kids don’t even have access to the blood bank, none of them need it yet, they’re too young.” Evan keeps his voice low, but I find myself searching the area for anyone who might be listening. It’s stupid that I feel embarrassed that this is happening to me.
“Well if not the kids, then who?”
“We’ll figure it out, Quinn, but until then, Griffin said you were staying with him.”
“What?” I scoff. “Yeah, that is not happening.” I almost leave it at that, but I glance over at Evan and see his brows drawn. “I think I already wore out my welcome,” I explain, as the cafeteria doors come into view. It’s late for lunch, and a little too early for dinner, so the place is nearly empty. Thankfully, they have stuff to eat available all day.
I make my way over to a little fridge that has premade sandwiches and subs and make a selection. Evan grabs something for himself and we find a table near the wall. Honestly, I’m not that hungry, but I need to eat, so I pull back the cellophane and pick a chunk of bread off the sandwich.
“Tell me what happened with Griff.” Evan slides a bottle of water across the table to me.
“Nothing, I just don’t want to be a bother.” I’m not going to talk behind his back. The reality is I was emotional, and his words hurt me way more than I should have let them.
“Seems like it was more than nothing.” Evan keeps his eyes on me, and I have the urge to squirm under his gaze.
“No, really, I appreciate what he did for me last night, but I need a long-term solution. Plus, he’s already been assigned to watch me. It’s not like he needs to babysit me twenty-four seven.”
“Watch you? What do you mean?” Evan is already halfway done with one of his subs. Man, he can eat.
I give Evan a look that says,come on, I know you know what I’m talking about,to which Evan just continues to stare at me. “The stopping by my office all the time to check up on me, my room?” I tilt my head. “I figured you or the director assigned him to keep an eye on me. Which is fine, I’m new. I get it,” I admit casually. I’m truly only bothered by it when it impedes me doing my job.
“The director…Griff?” Evan’s brows are pinched low over his eyes. “You think he assigned himself to watch you? Wait, and just so you know, I didn’t assign anyone to watch you. Much less Griffin.”
I lick my lips, thinking of the way he phrased it. “Assigned himself?” I get a strange feeling in my belly, like the few bites I’ve eaten of turkey and bread are turning to lead in my stomach.
“Yeah, if he wanted someone to watch you, he would have asked me to take care of it, and he didn’t.”
“You said assigned himself.” I lean over the table, my voice just above a whisper.
“Well, yeah, you said the director assigned him, but Griffisthe director.” Evan searches my face. “You didn’t know?”
“Oh that…” I stop myself from calling him an asshole by rolling my lips together.
“You really didn’t know? But…how could you not?” Evan is peering at me sideways.
Through clenched teeth, I grit out, “Because he never told me. He introduced himself as Griffin. Not the director or Mr. Stone.” I think back to the times I mentioned speaking with the director and how he always implied that the director knew exactly what was going on. “Son of a biscuit.”
