Free Crimson Moon by J. A. Saare Page B

her nostrils flare for a moment before she looked at Caleb.
    "Killian's on tap, and a coke."
    She nodded and walked back to the bar.
    "So, that good news.” Haven leaned across the table, cigar pointing at me. I looked away from his attentive face, staring at the table nervously. “Your girl is in the clear. They don't know Sam's involved, so they won't start by looking here."
    "When did Sam contact you?” Caleb asked in obvious relief. His entire body relaxed.
    "Not long after you arrived, he was en route when the call came in. He said to lay low until they get it all sorted. Luca got the lowdown on a hideout and had them tailed. If they can find the nest, they'll end all of this."
    "Freak bastards,” Derek muttered in disgust.
    The waitress returned with a tray full of drinks, placing them in front of us. Caleb grabbed his mug and my glass, handing the coke to me. I pulled off the paper tip covering the straw while he brought the beer to his lips, drinking it down in several gulps. Derek followed suit, and Billy tossed back his shots, one right after the other. Haven was more reserved, drinking his red concoction leisurely.
    "Another round?” the waitress asked. Everyone except for Haven nodded, and she walked away again.
    "We're going to need to stay at the cabin,” Caleb announced.
    "I'm already ahead of you. Good thing you left these here.” Haven tossed keys onto the table. They skidded to a halt in front of us and Caleb reached over to grab them, shifting his hips up to place the metal ring inside his pocket.
    "Tristan is shitting bricks right about now. He doesn't have the time or the means to look for her.” Haven puffed his cigar again. “Just sit back and relax, Sam will be in touch.
    The waitress returned with fresh drinks, placing them in the center of the table. She didn't stick around when everyone indicated they were set, pivoting around and walking away. I watched her prowl over to the bar in her skin tight red leather pants. The crowd quickly surrounded her, leaving only the tray she held aloft visible.
    "Well, gentlemen.” Haven finished his drink, tossing it back and swallowing. “It's been fun, but I have a business to run.” He notched his chin and Billy stood, allowing him to squeeze past.
    He stopped at the edge of the table. “Stay as long as you like, mi casa su casa . Consider it a way of showing my appreciation. They've missed you around here.” He reached out to Caleb, shaking his hand quickly before vanishing around the corner.
    "When do I go back home,” I asked in evident relief.
    This was good news— excellent news. No more crazy people chasing me around in places I could very easily find myself killed.
    Billy focused on an empty shot glass, twisting the thick container with his fingers, avoiding my eyes. Derek leaned back, blocked by Caleb's body. I felt their tension as they quietly ignored my question.
    Didn't they hear a word Haven said?
    "He just said not to worry, right?"
    "Billy, Derek, would you give us a minute?” Caleb asked and they both slid free from the booth, standing and hurrying to the bar, relieved to be off the hook.
    "What?” I turned to Caleb, putting space between us so I could see his face. I hoped he would be less likely to lie if I could look him in the eye.
    "You can't ever go back home, Emma,” he answered quietly, meeting my eyes.
    "What? Never ?” The last word rang in my ears.
    I would never go home again.
    That truth was harder to accept than I imagined. I believed the house was just a shell before, an empty reminder of how things were before the unthinkable marred my life.
    But now...the house represented all the things I'd ever known. From the kitchen I ate breakfast in every morning, to the living room where Grandma and I enjoyed old sappy romantic movies, and my bedroom, where I tried to recall my Mother, shedding unrequited tears of frustration and loss.
    All of those rooms were like chambers of my heart, my only remaining link to the