Page 19 of Night Grove Falls, Midnight Haven Volume Two

I dish up a piece for everyone, adding two portions to my plate so I can share with my mate.

I pull Daisy back onto my lap when she returns with napkins and kiss her forehead. “Thanks for this.”

“It’s the least I can do after all your help.”

“Anything for you, mate.”

She blushes slightly, then turns back to the papers on the table. “So, when do we leave?”

“We don’t,” I reply. “I’ll be going tomorrow.”

“I’m coming with you,” she says stubbornly.

“No, you need to stay here where it’s safe.”

“You can’t go alone! What if something happens?”

I realize she’s nervous for me, and my heart swells in my chest. “I promise I’ll be okay. We planned for this.”

“I’ll go with you,” Logan says. “I’ll watch your back.”

I nod in appreciation as he reaches out to help himself to more of the lasagna.

“It’s all set,” I tell Daisy with a confident smile. “I’ll be back before dinner.”

After a moment, she nods, grabs her fork, and digs in.

I just hope I’m right.

EIGHT

Daisy

The mating heat hits me as soon as I open my eyes. It’s just like the girls said it would be—an undeniable energy swirling around and within me. My whole body is buzzing, and all I can think about is being close to Knox.

I kick the blankets off my flushed skin and roll over, wondering where he is. After we ate last night, I cleaned up while he walked his friends out. Then he took over, sitting me on the counter while he washed dishes and put them away. I tried to protest, but I knew it was no use. Knox seems to love doing things for me. He gets this cute smile whenever he helps me out. It’s so sweet.

The bedroom door opens, and I lean up on my elbows to look at Knox. His eyes lock with mine, and he swallows hard. With one look, I know he can feel the mating heat too. He looks like he’s seconds away from pouncing on me. Without thinking, I spread my legs wider in invitation.

“Fuck,” he groans.

My cheeks heat with a blush. “Morning.”

He swallows hard. “Morning, mate. Why don’t you go back to sleep? It’s still early.”

“I can’t,” I tell him, sitting up fully. “Are you leaving now?”

“Yeah, I just came to change my clothes. Logan will be here in a few.”

“You have to be safe,” I say, fear gripping me.

“I will. I promise, I’ll be back tonight. Then we can celebrate your freedom. Why don’t you find a restaurant where you’d like to eat tonight?”

I know he’s trying to reassure me, but all I can think about is him not coming back. What if Joe frames him too? What if something happens to Knox? I mean, Joe clearly isn’t a stable individual.

“Hey, Daisy,” Knox says gently, moving closer and gathering me into his arms. “I’ll be fine. Logan has my back, and we’ve planned this. We’ve thought of everything. It’s going to be all good.”

“I wish you didn’t have to go,” I whisper.