Page 18 of Ho Ho Oh No

“I know she has.” Head down, he picks at his pant leg. “Shep, she needs somewhere to direct her hate. Better it be me than someone who would mean her harm in return.”

Silence falls while I process his unexpected, insightful words.

He might be right.

After shaking free of the heavy thoughts, I announce, “Stay here. I’ll go get the girls.”

I bound from the vehicle, scan the parking lot, and speed walk toward the entrance. Now that the air of hopelessness about Kri’s gift has lifted, I’m itching to be with my girls again. As I sling open the front door, the jingle bells on the handle clank and clang.

The man working the counter waves an open palm at me. “Hey there, Shep. Happy holidays. I was wondering where you were. Not like you to leave the girls alone.”

“Hey, Denny. I was in the parking lot. Kri and Junior have things under control in here.”

“No shortage of muscle when it comes to Miss Franco.”

“Can you blame us?”

Denny’s former law enforcement, and he’s heard the tale of what happened to Val, her family, and everything that followed.

“Not one bit.” He ambles to the side of the counter where we’d normally sign-in, eyeing me expectantly. “I assume you brought your weapon. We’ve got about half an hour before closing if you want to get some rounds in. Lane three is open.”

“Not this time. Just gathering them up. Holiday party tonight.”

He smiles, tipping his head toward the door leading to the indoor range. As I pass, he hands me a plastic bag with foam ear plugs.

I approach the door, about to open the bag, when I catch sight of Val and Kri heading toward me.

When my beautiful fiancée opens the door, the noise from the other shooters echoes into the lobby. Valerie flinches with each loud pop.

I seethatproblem isn’t resolved yet. More work to do.

Kri’s face morphs into a saucy grin when she notices me. “Perfect timing.”

After flashing her a wink, I catch Val’s attention, noting one last flinch before the door to the range closes completely, muting the sound. “You good, kid?”

She attempts to smile, but it’s fake as shit. “Yep.”

The skin between my brows pinches. “That wasn’t very convincing, Val. What’s wrong?”

She inhales deeply, almost making a concentrated effort. As if the air around her is scarce. “I’m okay, OG. Just a headache from the noise.”

“OG?” I ask, not having heard that one from her before. “Like the original?”

“No. Not that, silly.” Val cups my cheek, her hand coated in condescension. “Old geezer.”

Not even waiting for my reaction, she turns away, heading to the counter to sign out.

I trade questioning glances with Kri.

Reading my expression, she mouths,Tell you later.

I press my lips tightly together and reply with only a sharp nod. My gaze falls to Val’s back as she says goodbye to Denny.

Poor kid. Holidays are rough after a loss. I hate this for her.

Yet she was fine this morning. It started like a typical day at Redleg HQ, our temporary home away from home. She was excited about the party and showed off her costume to Kri and me.

For a moment, I thought our fears regarding the first Christmas without her family would go unfounded. Asking for a trip to the range—one of the few places we can go without making a big security splash—was the first sign she was getting the holiday blues, or whatever you want to call it.

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