Page 90 of Havenfall Harbor
“We’ll take a room, no need to displace the other kids.” Evan leans his elbow against the higher part of the desk while we wait. I look around and notice a few faces peeking out of the thin pane of glass in the doors. I wonder how good the gossip mill is and how many of these kids already know why we’re here.
Chapter 27
Quinn
It takes several minutes, but eventually two girls come down the hall together. I almost balk when I see them. One of the girls has light hair, several shades lighter than mine, and it’s artfully curled into soft waves. She’s pretty in that debutante way my mother always wanted me to be. Even her walk says she knows what she’s working with. Her lips are full and painted a bright red.
The other girl’s hair is a deep shade of brown, cut into a stylishly long bob, showing off her heart-shaped face and pouty lips. If I would have seen either of these girls at the bar the other night, I wouldn’t have questioned their age.
“Fourth door on your right is open.” Olivia points behind herself while looking at Evan.
Griffin tugs me forward using our clasped hands. The girls watch our approach. The light-haired girl’s eyes widen when she sees my hand in Griffin’s, but she quickly regains her unconcerned expression.
“What’s going on?” the brunette questions, her gaze touching on each of us, although she passes over me much faster.
“We need to speak with you,” Evan informs them. His voice is deep, but not the same sinful tone I’ve heard him use, this is sharper. “Follow me.” He stalks past them and heads to the door of the room Olivia indicated was empty.
The girls share a glance, but do as they’re told. Griffin waits until they enter and guides me in behind them, finally dropping my hand.
I look around. The room isn’t tiny, but it’s not big either. There’s one long wall with a window centered in the middle, and two beds on either side that are stripped down to white sheets and no pillows. “Have a seat.” Evan motions toward one of the beds for the girls.
“What’s this about?” the brunette inquires, dropping down onto the mattress the way kids do. The blonde glares at her and lowers herself in a much more controlled manner.
Evan tilts his head to the side and crosses his arms over his wide chest. The stance is imposing. When he doesn’t answer right away, the dark-haired girl starts to fidget. Surprisingly, they ignore Griffin’s presence other than darting quick glances at him; they focus more on Evan.
“Is there anything you’d like to tell us?” Evan finally asks. The girls peer at each other, as if to see if the other is going to say anything. I don’t even know which one is Michelle or Minka. I realize I never did tell the guys I heard a boy’s voice when I was hit.
I wrap my hand around Griffin’s forearm and tug a little. Understanding what I’m asking, he leans over far enough so my lips are near his ear. I don’t miss the way he curls around me when I begin to speak. “I heard a boy’s voice.” I should have told them earlier. When we were outside, I was worried about protecting the kids, and I can’t be blamed for not thinking about it in the elevator. Not even a saint would have been able to think straight. Griffin makes a grunting sound in response, but doesn’t move to straighten. I debate if I should tell him I don’t have any more to share, but he unbends before I get the chance.
When I look back at the girls, I notice we’ve caught the attention of the blonde, and she’s not doing a very good job hiding the fact that she doesn’t like what she’s seeing. Her pouty lips are thinned and the hard glare she’s sending my way is proof enough. Her eyes dart to where my hand is still wrapped around Griffin’s forearm. I almost release him, but something stops me. Childish? Maybe.
“There was an incident this morning.” Evan pauses as if he’s giving the girls a chance to speak up for themselves.
The blonde blinks her eyes a little owlishly. “Really?”
“Yes, Michelle,” Evan grates out. He takes a deep breath, then adds, “It happened in an area where you two hang out.”
Since Evan called the blonde Michelle, I know the other girl must be Minka—the name actually fits her well. The girl in question jerks her head to the left at Evan’s statement and she studies Michelle. I can see the question for her friend in her eyes.
Minka doesn’t know what we’re talking about, but she thinks Michelle does. It leads me to believe that she knew Michelle was at their spot this morning. Minka lifts her hands in surrender after focusing back on Evan. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Her mask of indifference is back in place, but I caught the look she sent Michelle, and I’m sure Griffin and Evan did too—they don’t seem to miss much.
I release Griffin’s arm and take a step closer to the girls. Clearing my throat, I prepare to speak. “I’m sure what happened this morning was an accident.” I want them to know that there’s a way out of this, and if they tell the truth, we can deal with it. “If you know what happened, give us an explanation, and we can handle it.” I’m talking more to Michelle, but I don’t single her out alone. I don’t want her to feel attacked.
I watch as her pretty face scrunches up at my words. “Don’t pretend to care what happens to any of us. You don’t even belong here.”
Evan steps forward, his mouth open, prepared to respond, but I stop him with a hand on his arm. “I do care what happens to you, Michelle. I care about what happens to everyone here.”
She rolls her eyes, and it’s the first sign she’s shown that she’s actually a kid. A mature kid, but she’s just a senior in high school. I remember being her age. I thought I knew everything too.
“Mr. Winters and the director are prepared to kick you out,” I warn. It may be an exaggeration, but she doesn’t need to know that. “But like I said, I’m convinced it was an accident. Help us understand what happened, and we can figure out a way to move past this.”
I actually hear the slight growl that leaves Griffin, even though he’s a few steps away from me. I cut my eyes to him, telling him silently to knock it off.
Ignoring me, he says, “She’s giving you a chance that I wouldn’t have. Either speak on what you know, or I’ll send you back to the Buchans.”
Michelle’s eyes widen and she sucks in a breath. She pulls in her bottom lip and a heavy frown mars her brow. Whomever Griffin just threatened her with must tell her he means business. I thought having her expelled would be a good warning, but I didn’t mean to terrify her.
“You’d do that?” Michelle whispers, her eyes only for Griffin.
