Page 53 of Havenfall Harbor
“Not going there, Quinn,” I mumble under my breath.
“Where?” Griffin pays no mind to this being my bedroom and walks right in as if he’s completely comfortable here. I hastily cram my pants into a bag. The bra and panties are still on the bed. Lovely.
“Nothing, just thinking out loud.” My words are terse, but I can’t help it. The omission of who he is bothers me, but what he said this morning in his bedroom hit me on a more personal level. When he takes a step toward my closet, I peer over at him without him being able to see me.
I don’t get him or this hot and cold bull he keeps pulling. If he wants to be a standoffish jerk, then so be it, but then why does he keep giving me these glimpses of his softer side?
When he begins to turn, I make sure my eyes are off him. “Anything I can help you with, Director?”
“Is that all you’re taking?” Griffin ignores my question and asks one of his own, meeting me near the side of the bed.
I grab the bras and panties piled in front of him and fold them neatly before laying them on top of my stuffed in jeans. “Should be fine, I can always grab something else if I need to.”
“You don’t have much. Sure you don’t want to take everything, just in case there’s an issue getting the lock set up?” Griffin tucks his hands into his pockets and looks down at me. He’s dressed for comfort, no high dollar suit today. I internally roll my eyes. Why the hell did I think a security officer would wear a suit anyway?
The shirt is similar to the one he gave me last night, only instead of being white, it’s a soft olive green, and looks amazing with his light turquoise eyes. Griffin’s head tilts to the side, and I realize I’ve forgotten to answer his question.
“I don’t have much worth taking, my luggage is the most expensive thing I own.” I take another glance around just for an excuse to look away from him.
I’ve never been the girl that likes bad boys, I’m much too pragmatic for that, but something about Griffin both intrigues me and pisses me off. I can pinpoint what pisses me off no problem, it’s the other more curious part that’s driving me insane. I remember one of my roommates my junior year had a thing for a football player. He treated her like total shit, I asked her why she put up with it. “He burns bright Quinn,” she said, “so bright that sometimes it’s worth the scorch to be close to him.” I didn’t understand her words then, and still don’t. Well, I don’t think I understand them anyway. I’m not exactly sure how I would respond if Griffin showed a real interest in me, but I do know he would need to stop being a dick.
Evan leans against the doorway, not really entering my room. His long blond hair is carelessly pulled back from his face. His presence is welcome, almost calming compared to the blistery mood swings from Griffin. He folds his arms over his wide chest and eyes the back of Griffin’s head. “You good? Need any help?” His question is for me, but he’s still watching his friend.
“I’ll take it over, go ahead.” Griffin reaches for the bag I’m about to sling over my shoulder.
I cling to the strap for a second longer. There’s not anything in there that isn’t replaceable, but it’s still hard to hand it over to him. Griffin’s eyes meet mine, searching, as his fingers dance over mine while he takes the bag from me.
I glare at him. I’d rather he not be nice at all. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say it to him, but then I remember he isn’t just Griffin, he’s my boss. It makes it kind of hard to maintain a professional relationship when we keep blurring the lines, and staying at his place is definitely blurring the lines. I still don’t understand his motivation for checking up on me so much. Why not just tell me who he was instead of the subterfuge?
I hesitate for a moment longer, wishing I had a solution that didn’t involve me staying with him while we get the locks sorted. “Maybe I should just stay here.” I bounce my gaze between the two of them. “Theprankshave been harmless.” I twist my lips in a wince while saying the words. Although it’s true they were harmless, I still feel a sense of violation. I’m just about to ask if Evan has a hotel type lock to use while I’m inside when Griffin and Evan both respond.
“I really don’t think it’s a good idea.” Evan sounds reasonable, consoling even.
“Not a risk we’re taking.” Griffin’s comment sets my teeth on edge.
“Right, I wouldn’t want my own stupidity causing an issue for you,” I retort, reminding him of the comment he made about me going to the authorities.
Evan pushes off the wall and steps into the room as Griffin opens his mouth as if to argue with me. “If we don’t hurry, will miss the wolves.”
I drag my stare from Griffin and blink a few times. I don’t know why he gets me so riled up, but Griffin Stone tests my patience in a way I’ve never experienced before.
Evan
Quinn looksabout ready to skin Griff alive. While I like watching him squirm, I take mercy on the poor bastard. The comment about not accepting the risks of Quinn staying here tipped her over the edge, and I can only guess she was referring to some earlier statement made by my idiot buddy.
I watch Quinn’s mouth thin, followed by movement behind her lips, as if she’s licking her teeth. I almost grin, but keep my features schooled. I don’t want to be on the receiving end of her anger. It’s funny, because if she was a supernatural, she wouldn’t dare speak to Griffin the way she does, since there’s a clear sense of power between us. Most of us are smart enough to know not to challenge someone in a fight we could never win. Quinn, however, isn’t governed by those same instincts. That’s why Thomas backed down from me without a fight, he knew there was no way for him to win. Even humans tend to give the more powerful of our species a wide berth.
Watching Quinn buck up against Griff, even if she has no idea who she’s really up against, makes me admire her even more, and I didn’t think that was possible. Not after the way I saw her treat the boy. She accepted him, wanted to defend him like any good luna should. A fierce sense of protection worms its way into my gut. No matter if Quinn took Griff’s words wrong or not, he’s right. I will not risk her staying here, not when I don’t understand the incentives behind thesepranks.
I watch her pull herself together at my reminder of the wolves. It seems like something she’s experienced with, she resets her features so quickly. “Right, Jacob.” I watch her stretch out her fingers a few times and wipe her palms on the sides of her jeans. She darts her eyes around the room and settles her side-eyed gaze on the bag in Griffin’s hands.
Turning to face me, she gives a half smile and proclaims, “Ready when you are,” like the last five minutes didn’t even happen.
Griff senses the same shift and lets out a heavy grunt. She cuts her bright blue eyes to him again and he smartly keeps his thoughts to himself.
Chapter 16
Quinn
