Page 18 of Night Grove Falls, Midnight Haven Volume Two

I close my eyes for a second, dragging in a deep breath, forcing my bear back under control.

“Don’t move,” I murmur, pressing one last, lingering kiss to her mouth before setting her carefully back on her feet.

My hands linger on her hips for a second longer than necessary because I don’t want to let go.I don’t ever want to let go, but whoever is on the other side of that door isn’t going away.

I step back, dragging a hand through my hair as I head for the door, another growl slipping out under my breath. I swear, whoever it is better have a damn good reason for interrupting.

I rip the front door open, glaring at my friends. “Bad timing,” I mutter.

They give me sympathetic looks.

“Sorry,” Logan says, pushing past me.

“Hey,” Abe says as he walks in and spots Daisy.

“Hi,” she says shyly.

I rush to her side, wrapping my arm around her waist. “Why are you here?”

“To go over the plan,” Jameson explains. “We figured it might help to talk through your options.”

“Yeah, you don’t know how Joe will react,” Abe adds. “It might be best to include other people, maybe even the mayor. You should have contacts with the newspapers, too, in case things go sideways.”

I let out a deep sigh because I know they’re right, and I won’t be able to get rid of them anytime soon.

“All right. Let’s do this.” I turn, leading everyone into the kitchen.

Abe has his laptop, and we crowd around the kitchen table.

I drag Daisy onto my lap, making sure she’s comfortable. “Are you hungry? Need anything?”

“I could eat,” Logan says.

I glare at him.

“Why don’t I make us all some food while you guys do this?” Daisy suggests.

She moves to climb off my lap.

I growl, keeping her pinned in place. “They have food at their places.”

She smacks my chest. “They’re here to help me. Be nice.”

I groan, releasing her reluctantly.

She kisses my cheek before she stands and moves to the fridge. I watch her smile as she pulls out ingredients.

Logan clears his throat.

I look back at my friends. “All right, come on,” I grumble.

We spend the next hour going over a list of people who may be helpful, weighing different options about meeting locations, who should be there, and escape routes in case things don’t go our way.

Daisy sets down a lasagna as we finish, and my stomach growls at the sight.

“Damn, that looks good,” Jameson says.

“Dig in!” Daisy says, setting plates and forks on the table.