Page 63 of Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven
“Ah. So, wolves are the jocks of the supernatural world?”
I chuckle. “I guess you could say that.”
The slam of the front door sounds in the distance. Raven doesn’t hear it, but I do. I can tell by the light footsteps who it is.
“Our company has arrived.”
We both face the doorway when the petite woman steps into view. If you didn’t know Francesca Moretti, you’d think she was as ruthless as her piercing green eyes. She carries herself in a way that makes her seem unmovable. Stern. Calloused. But I knew the real Francesca, just like I knew the real Raven. Both had such hard outer shells, but on the inside, they’d do anything for the people they loved. Which is why I wanted them to meet. If there was anyone who could mentor Raven through this change, it was her.
“Frankie.” I give a nod.
She shoots me a wink before tossing her bag onto the table, ignoring my welcome.
Her eyes pin on the woman plastered to my chest and she smiles. “I’ve been waiting a long fucking time to meet you.”
Chapter forty-five
Raven
Vivid green eyes smile at me. So green they almost don’t look real. Her brown pixie cut is styled to perfection, and I don’t think there is an inch of her skin that isn't decorated with detailed colorful ink. A gold ring is on her left nostril, matching the small piercing on her eyebrow. She’s freaking gorgeous.
“I’m Raven.” I offer my hand.
“Frankie.” She leans an arm against the counter as she clasps onto my hand, her eyes flaring when our skin meets. A look flashes across her face, but she masks it with ease and releases me.
“Dinner smells good. Where’s Declan?”
“Probably somewhere pissing off Presley.” I snicker. “You should have heard them this afternoon.”
“Something has crawled up his ass. He’s been unusually in a mood," Locke says as he leaves my side to pull open the fridge.
“Who’s Presley?” Frankie asks.
“My roommate.” I turn to stir the pasta. “We’ve been staying here a few days since the gala. She doesn’t know why. She thinks our apartment building is under evacuation.”
“I’m sure that’s Declan’s doing?” She says as she plucks a mushroom from the counter.
“He got angry about it.” I pick up the pan and place it on the counter. “He wasn't thrilled about compelling her. Which I can’t say I was either.”
“It’s the best right now. I know that’s hard to hear.” Locke motions to Frankie. “Can I talk with you in the sitting room?”
“Sure.” She cuts her eyes to me. “Careful with the flames, yeah?”
My jaw drops as she leaves the room, and I look over to Locke.
“Is she wrong?” He asks with a smirk as he walks backwards, then disappears around the corner.
I spent the next twenty minutes finishing my attempt at dinner and cleaning up the kitchen while Locke stayed in the sitting room with Frankie. I was getting anxious, not knowing exactly what they were discussing. I’m sure it had to do with me, but the longer I waited the more worked up I got.
Plating some noodles and an ungodly amount of sauce, I toss on two pieces of garlic bread and clutch my wine glass by the stem. I figured they should be close to done by now and I had rarely seen anyone sit at the oversized dining table in the dining room. It was too pretty to go unused, so I took a seat at the head of the table. Two bites in, Locke and Frankie joined me, both dropping full plates onto the table.
The dinner is silent, but Locke lets his hand reach over more than once to gently squeeze my knee.
After we finished, Frankie took a long pull of wine from her glass before she stood from her chair.
“Let’s get this show on the road.”
Frankie sits cross legged on the couch across from me while Locke hovers next to me.
