Page 9 of Havoc's Fox

“Yep. Many times,” Brandt said, opening the front door and ushering Maverik in ahead of him.

“It’s a good story, though!” Maverik insisted.

“I know. And Aunt Everly was the hottest thing you ever saw,” Brandt said, shaking his head with a grin.

“Hell, yeah! Protecting her man and all…” Mav said.

“Poppy! Look what I got!” Harley shouted happily from where she perched on Valerie’s lap. She held up a half-eaten Christmas tree cookie in one hand and a snowman cookie in the other.

“But what I need to know, is did you save one for me?” Maverik asked.

“I did!” She held out the snowman to him and he sat beside her, taking a bite of the offered cookie, making her laugh when he made funny noises while crunching it.

Across the room, Avaleigh and Analise laughed and talked as Tempest approached them.

“Mind if I join you?” Tempest asked.

“Not at all. Analise, have you met Tempest yet?” Avaleigh asked.

“Not officially,” Analise said, extending her hand to Tempest. “I’m Analise.”

“Hello, Analise. I’m Tempest. I’m Brandt’s mate.”

“I’m so sorry I’m late in offering my congratulations. I’ve been out in the field for a while now and not really had access to much communication.” She tapped her temple. “I tend to shut off everything while I’m working.”

“It’s fine. It was all very sudden anyway. I was really just trying to track down Maverik. Brandt was kind of just in the middle of everything. I couldn’t look away no matter how hard I tried,” Tempest said with a laugh. “And I did try.”

Analise chuckled. “I know how that can be. I’m happy for the two of you, though. I’m glad he’s got you.”

“I’m the lucky one.”

Analise nodded and offered a smile but it was strained. “I know how that is.”

"Avaleigh! Is this ready?” Delilah called from the kitchen.

“I’m being paged,” Avaleigh said. “I’ll talk to you ladies later.” She kissed Analise’s cheek. “I’m really glad you’re home, baby,” she said before she hurried off in answer to Delilah’s call.

Tempest smiled at Analise and reached for her hand, holding it between both of hers. “I’m very happy to finally put a face to all the stories.”

Analise laughed. “I don’t have that many stories. I’m the one no one ever had to worry about. I follow all the rules.”

“Which is why I’m so happy to finally meet you. Another level head to commune with,” Tempest said, smoothing her right hand over the top of Analise’s as she cradled it in her left hand. Warmth suffused Analise’s hand and a soothing calm settled on her.

Analise regarded Tempest carefully. “I know what you’re doing here.”

Tempest looked innocently at her. “Enjoying the holidays with my new family?”

Analise gently pulled her hand from between Tempest’s and opened and closed her small fist a few times to show that she felt the changes Tempest was sending into her body. “Trying to ease my anxiousness.”

Tempest gave up the pretense of innocence. “Did it work?”

“Irritatingly enough, it did.”

Tempest laughed. “Why irritatingly?”

“It’s my armor. Keeps my walls reinforced.”

“You don’t need walls here. Everybody was so excited when they found out you were coming home.” Tempest thought about adding the rest of her thought, but didn’t.

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