Page 122 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

"Didn’t mean to bring the circus into the room, Little One, but they insisted,” Teddy says with a smirk, placing the tray down on the nightstand. “Figured you might want some fuel for what’s ahead.”

I glance at the coffee and then at the mountain of bags. “What's with all the bags? Did I miss the memo that we’re moving out?”

Atlas just grins, ruffling one of the dogs’ ears as he looks at me. “Nope. Just a little surprise trip for our girl.”

“A surprise trip?” I blink, still piecing it together. “But where are we-?”

Key hops onto the bed, scooping me up in his arms and kissing my forehead. “Shh, it’s a secret. Besides, with these three goofballs, there’s no chance you’re carrying anything. Just enjoy the royal treatment, Sugar.”

I can’t stop the laugh that bursts out of me. “Fine, I’ll play along. But if we end up at another sketchy cabin in the woods, I’m taking all the marshmallows and running.”

Teddy chuckles, reaching down to grab my hand and tugging me out of bed. “We’ll make sure there are enough marshmallows and maybe a bit more firepower this time. We’re packed, loaded, and ready for whatever adventure life takes us on.”

I step out of bed as the chaos flees the room–my toes sinking into the thick, plush carpet–and take a deep breath. This place is still surreal sometimes. A massive mansion with floors of polished marble, sweeping staircases, and chandeliers that look like they belong in a castle. It’s not exactly where I imagined I’d end up when my life unraveled two years ago, but…it’s perfect.

Padding over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, I pull back the curtain and look out at the sprawling lawn blanketed in fresh snow, the morning light casting a golden hue across the whole estate.

Every corner of this house holds a memory–a playful chase through the hallway, a late-night planning session in the study, a lazy Sunday sprawled across the couch in the movie room with a bowl of popcorn the size of my head. And all the dirty little moments in between.

I think about how I’ve spent the past two years working with Teddy, Atlas, and Key, using my nursing skills in ways I never expected. Helping on missions, setting up safe houses, and providing support when they rescued someone in need. It’s been nothing short of fulfilling.

Not every day is a mission, but every day has purpose. We’re a team, and I finally feel like I’m living the life I was always meant to. I was made to help people, and with the guys by my side, I get to do that in ways that feel bigger than I ever could have imagined.

I grab a sleek leather handbag from my closet–knowing the guys already packed whatever I’m going to need–and make my way over to the dresser. I pull open the hidden compartment at the back of the bottom drawer and lift out a carefully wrapped package, smiling to myself. I’ve been hiding it for what feels like ages–a little Christmas surprise I’m saving for my guys. I tuck it into the corner of the purse, making sure it’s safe and out of view.

“Perfect,” I murmur, running my fingers over the tiny little package. They have no idea what’s coming.

I zip my purse shut, take one last look around, and head for the door, anticipation bubbling up in my chest. Christmas with these three isn’t just about gifts or surprises–it’s about thefamily we’ve built. And this time, I’ve got something special just for them.

The gentle nudge of a hand on my shoulder pulls me from a dozy dream, but it’s the warmth of familiar voices that wakes me fully.

“Little One…time to wake up.” Teddy’s voice is soft, his hand warm on mine. I open my eyes to see his bright smile, Key grinning beside him, and Atlas leaning in, his hand running soothingly along my arm. “We’re here.”

Rubbing my eyes, I sit up and look out the window, taking in a sprawling A-frame cabin set against the backdrop of towering evergreens and a field blanketed in snow. The cabin looks as stunning as I remember, with its floor-to-ceiling windows glinting in the low light of the winter sun, as if it’s holding some secret warmth within.

“Wait...Is this…?” I blink, looking from one of them to the next, a thrill of recognition prickling at the back of my mind.

“Yes, sweetheart,” Atlas says with a smile as he unbuckles my seatbelt. “Welcome back.”

It hits me in a rush. This isthecabin. The very one where we met, where chaos and fate collided, and I stumbled upon these three men who would change my life forever. Only now, it looks different. The landscaping around the front is clean and polished, the siding repaired, and the front steps adorned with pine garlands and festive wreaths.

Key hops out, opening my door with a grand flourish. “Come on, Sugar. Hurry up!”

With a giggle at his childlike excitement, I hop out and am immediately greeted by a frenzy of fur as my three fur-babies rush around me, tails wagging like they know just what this place means to us. They prance around me, their huge paws leaving perfect imprints in the snow as they shower me with sloppy kisses.

With my heart pounding, I glance at the guys, who seem barely able to contain their excitement. “I don’t understand. Did we rent this place again?”

Key and Teddy share a look, and Atlas steps forward, slipping an arm around my waist, pulling me close. “It’s not a rental this time,” he says, his voice low and warm. “We bought it.”

My heart skips a beat. “You...You bought it?”

“For you, Little One,” Teddy says, his voice full of that quiet conviction that always sets my heart at ease. “For us. It felt right to have a place with history, somewhere that really means something. We wanted to keep it forever.”

I press my hand to my chest, feeling the fullness there, the way it tightens and swells with each word. “But...I can’t believe you did this,” I murmur, shaking my head as I stare up at the place. “You really bought it?”

Key laughs, coming up behind me to rub my shoulders. “We did. And I think you’re going to love the changes we’ve made. It’s all ours, Grace. For good.”

Overwhelmed, I take a step toward the cabin, but Atlas pulls me back, kissing my forehead. “Come on,” he murmurs, ever the one to focus on my comfort above all else. The big sap. “Let’s get you inside where it’s warm.”

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