Page 4 of Havoc's Fox

“Can I have a milkshake, Daddy?” Harley asked.

“It’s not milkshakes, baby, it’s coffee.”

“But I have some yummy treats. You like brownies or donuts?”

“Yes!” Harley exclaimed.

Bailey’s gaze met Havoc’s to ask his permission.

Havoc nodded.

“You want to come pick out what you want?”

“There’s nothing in the windows,” Harley said pointing to the glass display cases.

“I put it all away because we’re closing until the day after Christmas, but you can come into the kitchen and pick what you want.”

“Okay,” she said, wiggling for her daddy to put her down.

Havoc followed them into the kitchen and waited while Bailey let Harley choose what she wanted.

But then Bailey reached for an unassembled box, assembled it quickly and loaded it down with an array of pastries. When she was done, she carried it back to the front counter, used a couple of pieces of tape to hold the overstuffed box closed and handed it to Havoc. “You know what? Give this to Remi, or at least take this to your family. Tell them I said Merry Christmas and thanks for all the business through the year.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. Besides when we open next, I’ll have to make all fresh ones anyway. If I take them home, I’ll just eat them all.”

Havoc accepted the box from her. “Thanks, I’ll give it to them.”

“You’re welcome. Merry Christmas, Havoc.” She looked at Harley. “I hope you get everything you want from Santa this year.”

“Me, too!” Harley exclaimed happily getting powdered sugar all over her jacket from the cream filled donut she was eating.

“You, too, Havoc. I hope you get all you want for Christmas.”

Havoc looked at Bailey’s face, really looked at her. He hadn’t lied, she did seem familiar, but he honestly had no clue if he’d ever even been in the same class with her or not. He thought of her words… what he wanted for Christmas. All he’d ever wanted just walked out the front door, and it was clear she’d never want him again. “I’m pretty sure that won’t happen. But I got these donuts and cakes to make me smile,” he said.

“Might send you into a sugar coma, but you’ll be happy getting there.”

Havoc chuckled as he walked toward the front door. He opened the door and turned back to Bailey. “Merry Christmas, Bailey. And look, if I ever did anything to offend you in school, I’m sorry. I hope you’ll overlook it. I’m not that person anymore; frankly I’m embarrassed that I ever was.”

Bailey shook her head and scowled at him. “Don’t give it another thought. You never did anything to me. We were never in the same place long enough.”

“Like I said, smart girl,” he repeated. He stepped out of the door and glanced down the street to where the police had discovered Marie’ Claire on their own and were trying to pick her up off the street and get her into the back of their cruiser. He hurried to get into his truck, strapped Harley in, handed her the box of sweets, and started the truck. He waved at Bailey once more before he backed out and headed to the compound. “This is such a bad fucking idea. I should have known better,” he muttered.

“What, Daddy?” Harley asked from the back seat.

“Nothing, baby, just talking to myself.”

Chapter 2

Analise stood in the yard, the darkness surrounding her, protecting her like an old trusted friend. She closed her eyes and forced her mind to still — the sounds of the crickets, the frogs, the creaking of the branches as the cold winds forced them to move just a bit, the crunch of the grasses under her feet all screamed one thing to her — home. This was the land she was raised on, the very air she breathed as she took her first steps.

The lights warming the windows of the house before her, and the laughter and voices of those inside called to her. Her soul, her beast, needed to join her people. It was beyond time for her to return home and commune with the very core of what made her who she was. Filling her lungs once more with the soothing scents of her childhood, she set foot on the first step. Seconds later she was taking hold of the doorknob, turning it, and stepping inside.

“Merry Christmas!” she called out.

Joyous shrieks rang out, people from all corners of the room rushed toward her, arms out, bright smiles as they competed for her attention and a chance to welcome her home. She hugged and greeted everyone as they came toward her. Brandt grinning at her as he hugged her and kissed her forehead, Christian following suit, Barron winking at her and ruffling her hair like he did when they were kids, Delilah and Kaid leading the way for the adults to move the kids aside enough to get to her. Bane picking her up off her feet to hug, then the sea of family parted as the one person she’d needed to see more than anyone gently pushed his way through the throngs of family waiting to greet her.

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