Page 63 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

“Doesn’t matter,” Atlas replies, his voice steady. “She’ll run out of room soon.”

Great. They’re closing in, and I’m running out of places to hide. But then I spot it–my salvation. A massive snowdrift, piled up high against the cabin wall. Perfect for an ambush.

I dive behind it, sinking into the soft snow, and start forming as many snowballs as I can. My hands are freezing, my breath coming out in short puffs, but I’m determined. If they’re going to catch me, they’re going to have to work for it.

I peek over the top of the snowbank, spotting Key first. He’s creeping through the trees, scanning the area for me. I smirk. Poor guy has no idea what’s coming.

I wait until he’s just a few feet away, then pop up from behind the snowbank, launching a flurry of snowballs at him. He yelps, ducking and covering his head as the snow pummels him.

“Yes!” I shout, pumping my fist in the air. “Victory is mine!”

But my celebration is short-lived, because as soon as I turn around, I come face-to-face with Atlas. And he’s holding the biggest snowball I’ve ever seen in my life.

“Oh no,” I whisper, backing away slowly.

Atlas’s green eyes sparkle with amusement as he steps forward, the massive snowball clutched in his hands. “You put up a good fight, Nutcracker. But it’s over now.”

“Wait, wait, wait!” I say, holding up my hands in surrender. “Let’s talk about this.”

He raises an eyebrow, his lips twitching. “Talk?”

“Yeah, we can negotiate! How about...how about I make cookies? Lots of cookies! I’ll even throw in hot chocolate!”

Atlas shakes his head, a rare smile breaking through his usual stoic expression. “Too late.”

With one swift motion, he hurls the giant snowball at me. It hits me square in the chest, sending me sprawling backward into the snow. I gasp, the cold seeping through my coat as I lie there, laughing so hard I can barely breathe.

“Okay, okay,” I wheeze, holding up my hands in defeat. “I give up. You win.”

Atlas looms over me, offering me a hand to pull me up. I take it, still grinning like a fool. “You didn’t have to go that hard, you know,” I tease, brushing the snow off my coat.

“You started it,” he replies, his voice teasing but warm.

Key and Teddy join us, both of them looking equally amused. “I’ve got to hand it to you, Grace,” Key says, shaking his head. “You’ve got guts.”

“And a decent aim,” Teddy adds, his eyes twinkling.

I puff out my chest, pretending to be proud. “Years of practice, boys. Years of practice.”

We all stand there for a moment, catching our breath, the snowball fight officially over. The sun is starting to set, casting a golden glow over the snow-covered landscape, and for the first time in a while, everything feels...right. Peaceful, but not boring. Fun, but not chaotic. Just...perfect.

“Alright,” I say, clapping my hands together. “I’ve got to go cook. You guys continue on with your boring...stuff.”

That earns a round of chuckles, with Key tossing a final handful of snow in the air like confetti. “You sure you don’t need backup in the kitchen? I’m an excellent taste tester.”

I shoot him a playful glare. “Yeah, because I totally need someone to stand around and eat everything before it’s ready. Hard pass.”

Key holds his hands up in surrender, but the grin on his face is anything but apologetic. “Fine, fine. Go on, master chef. We’ll handle the big, scary perimeter.”

Atlas nods solemnly, though the corners of his mouth twitch. “We’ll try not to have too much fun without you.”

“Oh, I’m sure it’ll be a blast,” I say with mock enthusiasm, turning toward the cabin. “Let me know how many pinecones you spot or, you know, if a snowflake looks at you funny.”

As I trudge through the snow toward the cabin, their laughter fades behind me, leaving a warmth in my chest that has nothing to do with the many layers of clothes I have on. I glance back just once, watching as the three of them go back to their patrol. Teddy’s already got that calculating look on his face, Atlas is scanning the horizon like a hawk, and Key...

Well, Key is probably trying to figure out how to make patrolling more entertaining. Something about watching them work, knowing they’ve got my back, sends a shiver down my spine–a good one.

Inside the cabin, I kick off my snow-covered boots and shrug off my coat, already mentally running through the menu for food. Something hearty, maybe a stew to warm them up. I smile to myself as I move into the kitchen, setting out ingredients on the counter. My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven’t eaten much today either. I grab a carrot and take a bite, contemplating the mess I’ve got ahead of me with chopping, boiling, and seasoning. But honestly, after the snowball fight, it all feels...lighter. Like the weight that’s been hanging over us since we arrived has lifted, even if just for a moment.

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