Evan
The kids have all been released from the containment rooms and are loosely huddled near the desk. It seems none of them want to be too closely associated with the others at this point, or maybe the few days in isolation worked better than I’d imagined and they’re trying to distance themselves from the people they got in trouble with.
“This is your one and only free pass. You fuck up again and you’ll be expelled, no questions asked. I’ll pack your shit and drop you at the gate myself.”
Quinn twitches at my harsh language, but I’m still too pissed at them to censor my words.
“Since all of you seem to have too much time on your hands, you will each be assigned extra chores, and you’ve also lost all privileges. Eat, sleep, work, and school until I deem you worthy of the luxuries you squandered. Am I clear?” I look at the group. They all seem remorseful, but that could stem from being caught and the fact they have to deal with the consequences.
“Head straight to your dorms. The floor leaders will give you instructions from there. You’re dismissed.”
The kids don’t waste time getting out of my sight. That leaves just Quinn and me in the lower level. I asked Wes to go take care of Millie’s room when I got the text from Griff, knowing I was going to spring the kids anyway and he would no longer be needed to babysit.
“Want to grab some lunch?”
“That was a quick change.” Quinn chuckles.
I reach for her and drag her closer, she doesn’t resist. “You want me to growl it?” I tease, knowing she’s referencing how harsh I was to the children.
“No way. If you would have yelled at me like that when I was a kid, I probably would have peed my pants.”
“Says the woman who gets up in the face of one of the most powerful vampires in existence.”
“That’s different, he has a way of getting under my skin.” She pauses for a moment. “And I had no idea he was one of the most powerful vampires.” Her brows are pulled down as if she’s rethinking her behavior.
“Well, don’t start treating him like it now. He would probably try to kick my ass if he knew it was my fault you lost your defiant streak.” I tuck some of her hair behind her ear, enjoying the feeling of her in my arms.
Quinn purses her lips and scrunches up her nose. She looks adorable. “I probably couldn’t anyway, he really ticks me off sometimes.”
“Don’t tell him I told you, but I think he fell in love with you the first time you yelled at him.” I grin down at her perplexed expression.
“He’s weird. Didn’t you mention lunch?” She changes the subject. I can tell by the flush on her cheeks I’ve embarrassed her, so I don’t mention I realized I was in love with her when she grabbed my hand after we left the bar while she was already holding Griff’s. She would probably just convince herself I was being silly and think it was too soon for those feelings, but I know she has them for us too, whether she’s ready to admit it or not.
“I did bring up food. What would you like? Your pick.”
“You mean at home or the cafeteria?”
“Unless you have something else in mind, we could go out if you want.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her to walk beside me as I head for the stairs.
“Running off with my woman, bear?” Griff’s voice comes from the stairs. I already knew he was coming, but Quinn startles a little, her eyes wide.
Leaning close, I whisper, “Don’t worry, he didn’t hear,” in her ear, suspecting she was worried about how much of our conversation he overheard. Quinn shivers. I like knowing I caused it.
“And keeping secrets, I see. I don’t think you’re a good influence, definitely need supervision.” Griff is waiting a few steps up from the bottom, his lips curled in what can only be described as a teasing grin. It would be downright terrifying if I didn’t know it’s only there because of Quinn.
“I already promised lady’s choice, so you’ll have to ask her if you can come along.”
Quinn leans into my side and pretends to assess Griff. Her eyes skate over him from head to toe, and she gives a lazy shrug of indifference. “I guess.” She tries to keep her face impassive but ends up cracking a smile when Griff’s grin morphs into a frown.
His eyes narrow quickly, promising payback, and I know I’m going to be the one on the receiving end, not Quinn. Griff takes the few steps down to meet us. He picks up Quinn’s hand and brings it to his lips before kissing her knuckles. “That wasn’t very nice.”
“I was teasing. Of course you can come.” She rolls her eyes. “I always want you to come.” Quinn flushes bright red after realizing what she said, then she backpedals quickly. “Not come like that. I mean yes. I want you to come like that. But that’s not what I meant by come.” She looks between the two of us, her eyes wide in horror, and then she slaps her hand over her mouth. “How many times am I going to say come?” Her words are muffled behind her fingers.
Griff chuckles, then shakes his head. “As often as you like, in any way you like,” he growls, tugging her hand down and holding it in his. “So where to?”
Quinn takes a few moments to recover then says, “I wouldn’t mind getting away for a little while. Are you sure though? It seems like there’s been a lot going on recently. I don’t want to pull you guys away if you’re needed here.”
“They can manage for a few hours without us,” Griff tells her, then releases her hand, urging her up the stairs in front of us.
