Page 37 of Havoc's Fox

Analise looked at him, then flicked her eyes toward Addie and Havoc on the sofa again.

Christian’s gaze followed hers and his expression changed immediately. “She’s here,” he murmured, leaving Analise’s side, completely focused on Addie as he moved through the crowded room toward the female he’d been hoping for another glimpse of since he’d first met her the day before.

“Christian?” Analise said.

Christian didn’t respond. He just kept moving toward Addie.

“Christian!” Analise tried again.

“What’s the matter?” Emmalyn asked, between greetings to everyone that went past her.

“Who is that woman and why is she here?” Analise asked.

Emmalyn turned to see who Analise was talking about. “Oh, that’s Addie. I just explained that she tried to stop me from breaking into Christian’s house to get the bourbon. She’s my new bestie. I brought her to keep attention off me and Barron and you and Havoc.”

Chapter 9

Analise turned and looked at her sister. “You brought her?”

“Yes. Smart, huh? Everybody will be trying to figure out who she is and asking her questions, instead of worrying about you and Havoc, and me and Barron. And they’ll probably give Tempest a break, too.”

“Great job. Seems both Havoc and Christian are now both fully captivated.”

“No, she’s just nice. Besides, didn’t you hear me tell Christian that I think she likes him. So, don’t worry about Asshole, I mean, Havoc. She’s not interested in him. Well, yet. I mean, they did just meet, and if all works out, she’ll be a permanent part of the clan according to Brandt. I think it will, she’s really nice.”

Analise looked over to find Christian sitting on one side of Addie, while Havoc still sat on her other side, and both were intently focused on whatever she was saying.

“They can’t look away from her,” Analise said.

“I know! It’s working,” Emmalyn said.

Analise looked at her sister like she’d lost her mind, turned and walked away, leaving her standing there alone. She headed over to the dining room table, which was set beautifully. Pulled out a chair and sat down. She sat quietly watching every single person she’d ever considered family go about their day, feeling like she was some invisible entity watching it all unfold before her.

She finished her drink and set the glass down on the table.

Everly, Valerie and Janie brought serving dish after serving dish out and placed it in the middle of the table. Daniel was busy carving a ham, Delilah and Kaid were speaking with the new girl, still sandwiched between Christian and Havoc, and Barron was busy ignoring Emmalyn, who was getting more and more pissy by the moment. She looked over and picked up one of the buttered dinner rolls that sat waiting for the gathering of people to make their way through the food laid out everywhere to discover them and add them to their plates.

She took a bite of the roll and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the buttery flavor of the still warm and soft yeast roll.

“I like those, too,” Harley said.

Analise opened her eyes and looked down at the child standing beside her. “Oh, yeah?”

Harley nodded.

Analise reached over and selected a particularly buttery roll, then handed it to Harley. “Here you go.”

“Poppy and Valerie said I have to wait until everybody else eats to eat.”

“What does your daddy say?”

“Same thing,” Harley said.

Analise smiled. “Tell you what, you sit here with me and eat all the rolls you want. It’s Christmas, and it’s my house, and nobody is going to tell you you can’t.”

“Really?” Harley asked, her eyes shining brightly.

“Really.”

---