Page 77 of The Knot Before Christmas

He’s right. I don’t have anything to lose. If I stay where I’m at, I’m going to be working my ass off to start over new. I’m tired. I don’t want to live that life anymore.

What he’s offering me sounds too good to be true. Yet, I want it.

Only thing is, I can’t forget about what they do for a living.

I narrow my eyes. “Where do you live?”

Ian chuckles. “Somewhere warm and sunny. Where you can lounge on the beach and be pampered by yours truly.”

“Sounds nice,” I whisper. “But everything that's in the basement. Why do you sell it when you have jobs?”

I know Ian owns a bakery and Will repairs cars on top of them selling what they steal to make a profit off it. But they don’t do this all throughout the year. Just around Christmas time. So what does Nick do?

“Not gonna sugar coat it, Little Rabbit.” Will sighs, lowering his hand. I miss it right away. “You want the truth?”

“No, lie to me,” I say dryly. He laughs.

“Simply put, our father is the leader of one of the most powerful and ruthless MC’s in the US.”

I blink a few times. “You mean, like a Motorcycle Club?”

“Yes.” Will nods slowly.

“Those are real? And not only in books and movies?”

“Nope.” Ian laughs. “Very much real. He’s been trying to make us a part of the family business, but we left the compound and started doing our own thing the moment we became of age. We don’t want any part of that life. At least I don’t. It’s why we’ve been working hard to start over, to get away from everything. In the meantime, we have our own little businesses. I, as you know, own a bakery and Will has a body shop.”

“And what does Nick do? Also, if you own your own businesses, why do you want to leave?”

“Nick... He does... ahh more questionable things.” Ian scratches the back of his head.

“Like how questionable? More than being mall robbers.” I snort.

“More like being a hired hand,” Nick says, popping into the doorway. “Come on. Let’s get this shit shovelled and pack up the truck. I want to get the fuck out of here.”

My brow furrows as he leaves. How is being a hired hand questionable? I don’t get the chance to ask, because the guys are up and following their brother.

“Pack up whatever you need, Little Doe. When we’re done, we’re leaving.”

The guys shovel while I pack my things. Not much. Just the bag I came with and grab whatever I need for Duchess. I’ll get her more when we get... wherever the hell we’re going, because they still haven't told me where that is. But a nice beach sounds good right about now.

Getting down stairs, I take a look at the tree and gasp. Fucking hell, Christmas. It’s Christmas! I think?

Shit, did I miss Christmas because of my heat?

Fuck it. I want my Christmas gifts.

Placing the kitten down on the couch, I take a seat by the tree. There’s only a few gifts under it and they’re all addressed to me.

Grabbing the first one, I open it up with a smile and my eyes widen when I see it’s a new phone. The next is an iPad and fucking hell, a new computer?

Yeah, these are all stolen for sure. But, I don’t care. They’re mine now.

I shove them into my bag with excitement and head into the kitchen.

I need something to keep myself busy, while the guys work, and out of my own head, from over-thinking everything that's happened and what's about to come.

Making some sandwiches for myself, I add a few extra for the guys and our car ride.

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