Free Craig's Heart by N. J. Walters Page A

hand into his and squeeze. He immediately felt more grounded and centered. This was his family and they loved him. That wouldn’t change, no matter what.
    He gave Evie’s fingers a returning squeeze before releasing them to step forward. “Chrissten. Quinn.” His sister flew to him, throwing her arms around his neck. He returned the embrace even as he was very aware of the beating of her heart and the sound of her blood rushing through her veins. Hunger pierced him, but he ignored it, needing his family more than he needed to feed.
    Quinn was quickly beside them, wrapping his arms around them both. Family. It was everything to them. “Where the hell have you been?” Quinn growled.
    Craig eased back and managed a shaky laugh while keeping his head ducked down in case his eyes were red. “It’s a long story.” He gave Quinn’s wife, Bethany, and Chrissten’s husband, Hank, a quick wave. They both looked worried.
    “Why don’t we all sit down.” Coming from Damek, that was more an order than a suggestion and, predictably, Quinn bristled at the tone.
    “I think we should be going.” Quinn grabbed his arm and tried to pull him toward the elevator. Craig dug in his heels and didn’t move. And for the first time in his life, his brother wasn’t strong enough to make him follow.
    Quinn pulled up short and turned back, his expression a combination of surprise and anger. “What’s going on? And where the hell are your glasses?”
    “Ah, I don’t need glasses anymore.” Craig raked a hand through his hair. “Something’s happened. You need to sit down.”
    Hank came forward and handed him a bag. The half-breed werewolf was a tall, imposing figure with his buzz-cut and piercing blue eyes. But he’d always been kind to Craig. “The guy we followed had this with him. It’s some of your stuff.”
    “Thanks, Hank.”
    Bethany stepped forward and gave him a hug. “We’re all so glad you’re safe,” she whispered.
    “Thanks.” His brother was lucky to have a mate like Bethany. She was sweet and feminine, but beneath it was a core of courage that had to be respected.
    Craig went to introduce Evie to everyone and frowned when he realized she wasn’t right beside him. She was standing in a dark corner of the room, not moving, barely visible.
    He set down the bag Hank had given him and went to her. “Evie?” He held out his hand, willing her to take it. He didn’t like seeing her so isolated and alone from everyone else. She wasn’t alone. She had him. He knew it was crazy to think that way, but it didn’t change how he felt about her.
    Was she feeling the bloodlust the same as he was? He hadn’t thought about how hard this might be for her. He loved his family, but they were strangers to her. He didn’t think she would attack them, but it was a concern.
    “You sure you want to do this?” she asked. “I can wait in the next room or something.” She fiddled with the end of her braid. “Or I could just leave.”
    “No, you can’t. You know that’s not possible. It’s too dangerous for you to be out on your own.”
    She glanced at his family, her eyes lightly tinged. “It’s dangerous for me to be here too.”
    “I trust you.” Crazy as it was, he trusted Evie not to harm his family because hurting them would be like hurting him.
    The redness bled out of her eyes and they went back to the familiar green. “You’re nuts, you know that don’t you?”
    Her exasperation made him smile. “I’ve been told that on numerous occasions.”
    “Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?” Quinn’s words were clipped and Craig knew his brother was at the end of his tether.
    Craig grabbed Evie’s hand and practically dragged her into the light. “This is Evie,” he told his family. Then he turned to her, ignoring the fear in her face. “This is my brother Quinn and his wife, Bethany, and my sister Chrissten and her husband, Hank. They’re all half-breed werewolves.”
    The four he’d just