Hunting Haven

Gabriel

I grabbed Haven’s arm gently, tugging her towards the stairs. We had to pack up and hit the road immediately. We’d already lost daylight sleeping. It was my fault for growing complacent. I’d become too comfortable with Dane and my budding relationship with Haven that I didn’t have my exit strategy ready to execute.

“Get dressed and grab your toothbrush. I’ll pack up everything else,” I instructed as we reached our room.

Guilt consumed me. Every time something traumatic happened, I could never let her process it or even comfort her. We had to run. It was starting to feel like we always had to run.

In reality, we’d really only been displaced for a few days, but it felt longer. Maybe it was because I spent over a month waiting for an opening to take out the vamp. I just had to keep telling myself that everything would settle down, that Haven and I could explore our feelings for each other, as soon as it was safe. My stake just needed to be buried deep into its target first.

“Alright,” she mumbled. Turning slowly, eyes unfocused, she walked into the room and grabbed an outfit from her bag before heading out.

My heart wrenched painfully, but I ran around the room, quickly stuffing everything we’d managed to unpack over the last couple days.

The duffel I always kept in my squad car in case of emergencies laid open on the foot of the bed. Organization wasn’t a priority as I stuffed the clothes Haven wore the night before into it. I had all of our things bagged up and ready to go.

That only left me with one more task before we hit the road: securing the safe house. While my hunter contacts were limited, there was one man I knew I could trust.

He answered on the first ring. “Hello?”

When I’d left the association, he’d given me this number. It was to be used strictly in a case of emergency. He was the Assistant Director of the Hunters’ Association. If Director Gibbons found out he was helping me, it’d get Will in a lot of trouble.

“Hello, William. I was wondering if you were still interested in selling the house in Indiana?” Opting to talk in code, because I wasn’t sure how secure his line was.

“Of course. My daughter is in that area right now. If you’re interested in buying, she can meet you there in a few hours to open the house up so you can take a look around.”

“That sounds great. I’ll be driving in from out of state, so it’ll take me about four hours. Would that be okay?”

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. I hope you like the home. I’ll be in touch soon.”

“Thank you. Have a great day.”

While I wasn’t entirely thrilled about having to see his daughter again, Haven’s safety was my priority. Will’s house was built in the center of four acres. The entirety of the land and the home itself was loaded with protection charms. Even if the vampire managed to follow us, which was impossible since we’d be traveling during the day, it would never be able to step foot onto the hunter’s property.

“Is it time to go?” Haven asked in a small voice from the doorway. I turned around, walking over to hug her against me.

“Yes. We’ll head out as soon as Dane has the car ready. I can’t take the squad car and we don’t have time to get my truck.”

“I’m sorry that you have to leave your home and job to protect me.”

The guilt was so evident in her face. I hated it. Gripping her chin lightly, I tilted her head up to meet my eyes. “I’m not sorry for a damn thing. You wouldn’t be in my life without this bloodsucker. I’ll gladly quit a job and move to keep you safe, to be with you. You’re more than worth it to me.”

I kissed the tip of her nose and released her. “Let’s head downstairs. We can talk more on the road.”

I scooped up our bags and chuckled as she paused to make the bed before we left. She was honestly adorable sometimes.

“Stop laughing at me. We’re guests. It’s rude to not make the bed.”

“I’m not laughing at you. I’m just amused. We’re on the run from a vampire, and you stop to fix the sheets because it’s polite.”

“I thought you were a gentleman, Macias. Apparently, your manners are lacking. What a shame.”

Okay, now I was laughing at her. “I’ll work on it.”

When we reached the porch, Dane was already parked on the front lawn with a black, nondescript sedan. It’s emblems denoting the make and model had been stripped and painted over. Other than a license plate, that I was sure was fake, there was nothing that would help track the car if we were followed.

He left the vehicle running and hopped out. “There’s a bag in the trunk with cash and a bunch of burner phones. My number is programmed in all of them. Keep me updated.”

Haven launched herself at Dane, squeezing him around the middle. “I know it’s only been a few days, but I’ll miss annoying Gabe with you. Thank you for everything.”

He patted her back affectionately, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Once he gets rid of the vamp, you can come visit whenever you’d like. I’d never pass up the chance to give him shit.”

When she released him, Dane opened the door for her. He’d left the trunk open, so I went to drop our bags in there. Before I could close it, he was at my side.

“Keep me updated. If you need help, I’ll be there. I wish I could go with you now, but I need to figure out who the hell let a vamp onto my lands.”

“I get it. Deal with your pack. I’ll keep her safe. Thanks for your help.”

“Claw.”

“What?”

“A group of panthers is a claw. Not a pack.”

I shook my head and laughed, pulling him in for a hug. We thumped each other on the back a few times. “I’m sorry I was such a dick for so long. You’re a good guy.”

“Yeah, well, you were indoctrinated at a young age. I knew you’d come around, eventually. I am irresistible after all.”

I snorted out a laugh, “Maybe to your mate, but not to the rest of the world. Everyone else thinks you’re an annoying pain in the ass.”

“Sure,” he dragged the word out obnoxiously. “Whatever you have to tell yourself, Macias. I’ll miss you, too.”

After asking him to drop my stuff off at the police station, I slammed the trunk shut and got into the car. As we drove off the farm, Haven waved goodbye.

Grabbing her hand, I held it tight. “Everything is going to be okay. We’ll come back to visit soon. Promise.”

She nodded, her expression the epitome of despondence. “I called the bar to quit while you packed. Texted Jenna and Caroline to say goodbye, too. I feel like such a terrible person.”

“You’re not a bad person. You’re just stuck in the middle of a tough situation.”

“No, you don’t get it.” Insistent was the only way to describe the way she passionately argued. It was like she wanted me to agree with the inaccurate opinion she had of herself.

“Do you know what makes me sad? Knowing that I’m screwing my coworkers over. That I’m leaving friends behind. But, honestly, other than grossed out by Jesse’s hand… I don’t care. How can I not care? I mean, he was a terrible man, but he was still a person who got hurt—probably eaten—for knowing me.”

“You’re not a terrible person for missing your friends. And definitely not for not mourning the guy who hurt you so much you ran across the country to hide from him.”

“I’ve never wished ill on someone before, but honestly? The idea of not always looking over my shoulder, of never having to see Jesse again? I feel relieved, and that fills me with shame.”

“You’re entitled to your feelings, but don’t be so hard on yourself. Your reactions are understandable.”

She nodded, closing her eyes and leaning her head back.

Our conversation dried up. I didn’t want to push her. As much as I wanted to convince her to take it easy on herself, I’d be contradicting myself if I tried to change her views. She had to process and come to terms with the situation on her own. But I’d be waiting in the wings in case she needed encouragement.

The first two hours of the drive flew by. Haven played with the radio for a bit before giving up on finding a station and took a nap instead. We were driving from one middle of nowhere county to another. There was a reason most people had never heard of DeMotte, Indiana.

Endless corn fields lined our route. When an exit for food popped up, I got off the highway. I woke her up when I parked.

She blinked sleepily at the giant neon sign on the side of the diner. It was an old-fashioned joint with a 60s vibe.

“Della’s Dine-In? Cool name,” she remarked, stretching.

“More importantly, Della’s has some of the best waffles I’ve ever had.”

“Waffles? Say less. Let’s go. Put some pep in your step.”

Her cheer was clearly forced, but I went along with it. We walked into the diner hand in hand.

When we were seated, Haven snatched up the menu immediately. Her eyes grew comically round as she read all the options.

“You’re telling me that I can have a waffle with Nutella, crushed oreos, and strawberries on top?” Her happy squeal lightened my spirits. My girl was a survivor. She’d be okay.

“I take it you’ve made your decision?” our server, an older woman, asked as she approached.

“Absolutely,” Haven grinned. “I’m fairly certain that I’m actually in heaven right now.”

The woman laughed as she took our order.

Haven and I had been out to breakfast—usually in the middle of the night—plenty of times. But never before had I seen her unbutton her jeans and collapse backwards into her seat. She was apparently a big fan of Della’s.

“Please tell me we’ll be staying close enough to come here every single day,” she all but begged when we were back in the car.

“We’re about an hour out. I don’t know about every day, but we can do weekend brunches if you really want to.”

“You’d have to literally restrain me to keep me away from this place, just fyi.”

I held her hand in mine, bringing it up to press a kiss to the back of it. Yeah, she’d be okay.

“Like I could say no to you.” I meant every word.