Page 65 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

“I don’t know,” I say, not turning around.

And with that, I walk back toward the kitchen, leaving him behind, wrapped in tinsel and regret.

The guys will be back any second, and I know they’re probably starving. I grab the tray of stew and bread, mentally preparing myself for what’s about to happen. With the conversation with Jason lingering in my mind like the scent of pine needles after a Christmas tree's been taken down, I prepare myself for the conversation I know needs to take place.

Sure enough, the door swings open a moment later, and in they come–Atlas first, brushing snow from his thick black hair, followed by Key and Teddy. All of them look like they’ve been through a minor blizzard, even though the sun’s still shining.

“Food smells amazing,” Key says, rubbing his hands together as he beelines for the table. “I’m so hungry I could eat a reindeer.”

“Gross,” I say, smirking as I set the tray down in front of them. “No reindeer today. Just my famous beef stew.”

Teddy raises an eyebrow. “Famous, huh?”

“Well, famous to me,” I admit with a grin. “Dig in.”

They don’t need to be told twice. In seconds, they’re sitting around the table, shoveling spoonfuls of stew into their mouths like they’ve been starving for days. I take a seat across from them, watching as they devour the food. It’s weird, seeing them like this–so casual, so normal, like they aren’t trained killers. But then again, I guess everyone’s got to eat, right?

I take a deep breath, gearing up for what I’m about to say. “So, about Jason…”

Atlas glances up from his bowl sharply, his brows furrowing. I swear there was a flash of worry in his eyes for just a second, but I must be mistaken. “What about him?”

I twirl my spoon in the stew, trying to think of the best way to put this. “I was thinking...maybe we could let him out of the chair.”

Key snorts, nearly choking on his stew. “Yeah, no. Not happening, Sugar.”

Teddy glances between me and Key, his gaze more curious than dismissive. “Why?”

“Well,” I say slowly, choosing my words carefully. “He’s not exactly a threat right now, is he? Harmless, really.”

“Harmless?” Atlas repeats, his voice heavy with skepticism. “Grace, the guy cheated on you. He was going to leave you out here alone. He let out the hostage for fuck’s sake! Remember?”

I wince, his use of my real name stinging. But I push forward. “I know. And trust me, I’m not forgetting that anytime soon. But you’ve made your point. He’s not exactly going anywhere, and I’m just...I don’t know. I guess I’m done with the whole tied-up-like-a-Christmas-tree thing. It’s getting a little old.”

Key leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “You feel bad for him. Is that it?”

I look down at my stew, feeling a little embarrassed. “I wouldn’t say I feel bad for him. But I don’t want him rotting in that chair forever, either. He’s...broken. He knows what he did, and I think that’s punishment enough.”

Teddy exchanges a glance with Atlas, who still looks like he’s not convinced. “You really think letting him out is the right call?” Teddy asks, his voice calm, measured.

I nod, meeting his gaze. “Yeah. I do.”

Atlas sets his spoon down, the scrape of metal against the bowl echoing through the kitchen. “And what happens if we let him go and he causes trouble?”

“He won’t,” I say quickly, maybe too quickly. “Look at him, Atlas. He’s not the same guy who walked into this cabin thinking he could control everything. You guys made sure of that.”

Key rolls his eyes. “Yeah, and we could’ve made sure of it a little more if you’d let us.”

“Key,” I say, giving him a pointed look. “We’re not going to hurt him.”

“I mean-” He stops when Teddy coughs, before sighing dramatically. “Fine.”

Atlas runs a hand through his hair, clearly still conflicted. “I don’t like it. The guy’s a snake.”

“I know,” I say softly. “But I think…maybe I need to see him stand on his own. So I can stand on my own, too.”

The silence that follows is heavy, and I can tell the guys are mulling it over. Finally, Teddy sighs, wiping his mouth with a napkin before setting it down. “If it’s what you want, Grace, then fine. We’ll untie him.”

Key groans. “Seriously?”

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