Page 20 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

She deserves to have a man–or three–in her life who treat her with dignity and respect, rather than as a hot commodity to supplement their disgusting image.

“I’m going to take her up to bed,” I state gruffly, trying to keep my temper in check in case she wakes up.

Slowly rising out of the water, Key is already ahead of me, and by the time I climb the steps with her in my arms, he’sstanding there with an open towel. I pass her over into his arms and then wrap her in the towel before taking her back.

Not bothering to dry off, Atlas puts a pair of spa slippers down at my feet so I can slip them on to prevent me from slipping and falling with my precious cargo. Each of them bids goodnight to our sleeping beauty before following me up the stairs to get changed.

“You can work on both of them tonight. Just make sure to release Jason afterwards.”

“I still don’t get why we have to let him go and not just pummel him to death,” Atlas growls. “He’s a piece of shit.”

I glance at him over my shoulder as I walk over to the bed. “He is, but he also meant a lot to Grace at one point.”

Grunting in affirmation, they both get changed silently as I work at drying Grace off. Just before leaving the room, Atlas heads over with an adorable, fluffy gingerbread sleep set for me to put her into. I smile as I take the set off him, noticing a slight pink tinge to his cheeks. Completely ignoring me, he strides straight out of the room.

Key lets loose a small chuckle at the bashful giant before handing me a pair of candy cane panties. “She’ll be more comfortable wearing them under it,” he adds, giving me a wink before leaving the room.

Glancing down at Grace’s exquisite body, my heart settles in my chest. We may be wanderers by nature, but we’ve always wanted to find a wife to share between us and settle down. Maybe, just maybe, this will be our chance.

Taking my time to dress her, she never once stirs.

Thankfully, she didn’t get her hair wet, so she shouldn’t be too uncomfortable when she wakes up tomorrow. Resting her down and tucking her under the duvet once I’m done, she lets loose a satisfied sigh before tucking her knees up to her chest and burrowing down under the covers.

I place a kiss on her forehead. “I just hope we don’t taint you with our darkness.”

As if in answer, her nose wrinkles before the lines of her face relax, and a serene smile stretches across her face. Personifying all things good in this life, she lays there like a little Christmas angel, her shiny blonde hair acting as a halo fanned out around her head to accompany her sweet disposition.

Tucking the duvet all the way up to her chin, I stroke a few stray strands out of her face and then peel myself away. All I want to do is crawl into bed with her and love her like she deserves, but the anger and desire to cause pain to that fucker of an ex of hers and to get answers for our friend win out in the end.

Chapter Nine

The screams echoing from across the room do little to disturb my calm as I lounge back in an armchair, shuffling a deck of cards. Teddy stands with his back to us, blocking the view as he works over the hostage tied to a chair. The man's agonized cries bounce off the log walls.

Beside me, Jason flinches with every wail and choked sob, his wide eyes fixed on the wall behind my head. His hands jerk unconsciously against the Christmas lights binding him into place.

I chuckle under my breath. "I'd stop squirming if I were you. Wouldn't want Atlas to think you're trying to escape."

Jason's gaze cuts to the behemoth leaning against the wall, eager for his own turn. Atlas cracks his knuckles with a grin.

"Why are you doing this?" Jason croaks, eyes darting between us. "Just take what you want and go."

"Oh, don’t you worry about all that. It has nothing to do with you," I assure him lightly, jerking my chin toward Teddy and the hostage. His face melts with relief, and I chuckle, putting an end to the small amount of reprieve my words gave him. "Your part in this little drama is far more personal."

Jason pales. "What does that mean?"

"It means you fucked with the wrong girl's heart," I snip, slapping the cards down to rise from my seat. I cross the space and grip Jason's jaw, forcing him to meet my glare.

"I don't know what Grace ever saw in a pathetic worm like you. But the days of you hurting our girl end here."

I backhand him hard enough to split his lip. Behind me, Atlas makes an approving noise. When Jason straightens, hate burns in his eyes, but he wisely keeps silent.

Teddy chooses that moment to turn from the now motionless hostage and enters Jason’s line of sight. His cold gaze surveys Jason's bleeding mouth, his lip curling in disgust.

He jerks a nod at me, and I return my attention to Jason, grabbing the front of his shirt while simultaneously smashing my fist into his unguarded stomach. A broken whimper leaves his mouth at the impact, his eyes rolling just slightly before focusing once more.

It’s not enough.

I do it again. And again. Everywhere I can reach that won’t leave a mark for Grace to worry over gets the treatment it deserves.

---