Page 8 of Festive

For a moment, the chaos in the room fades away. It’s just him and me, his arm warm and solid around me, grounding me when everything else feels uncertain. The way he looks at me, the way he’s always here—no matter what’s going on—reminds me that no matter who walks through those doors, I’ve got him. And he’s got me.

I breathe out slowly, letting the tension in my shoulders ease, but my gaze flicks back to Amber, still standing there, an enigma wrapped in uncertainty. The questions are still there, hanging heavy in the air, but with Six’s arm around me, I feel a little steadier, a little more sure.

Whatever’s coming, we’ll face it together.

I let out a long breath, turning to him. “So, what did the background check come back with? Any particular skeletons we need to be wary of?”

He shakes his head. “A few parking tickets and a DUI when she first got her license, but that’s it. No gang affiliations, nothing that stands out, making me question her judgment. She did do a childcare course a while back, though. That could come in handy.”

Huh!

Squeaky clean.

I do need to give her a chance.

“Okay, so she stays?” I ask.

He rolls his shoulders. “If you want her gone, I’ll kick her out myself.”

Glancing over at Kenna and Sephy, seeing them giggling and having a great time, I groan. It seems like they have made a new friend.I can’t do that to them.“Fuck, fine, she can stay. If only for the kids. Maybe that can be her job. She can care for the kids while we all tend to business, newborns, and such.”

Six nods his head. “Done. I know it’s hard to let new people in, but sometimes they can surprise you.”

“Mm-hmm,” I murmur.

He smirks and leans forward, placing a tender kiss on my lips, his hand splaying out across my stomach like he always does.

“I don’t like surprises,” I state.

He scoffs out a laugh. “Yeah, I know. Look, we’ll put Amber on trial. If we don’t vibe with her, then she is out, no questions asked. She’s in a vulnerable place, Rebel, and we can help her. You know what that’s like.”

Shit.

Six was there for me when I was at my lowest, vulnerable, and in trouble. We met in college at a party. I was having a panic attack, and he helped bring me back by making me focus on the word ‘pineapple.’ Silly, I know, but it worked. It’s been our thing ever since. Whenever one of us struggles, the other says ‘pineapple’ to help snap out of it. People give us weird looks, but for some reason, it works.

Go figure.

“She has until the new year to prove she will be a valuable member of Defiance. If not—”

“Like I said, I’ll kick her out myself,” Six replies.

“Okay… we have a deal.”

Six smiles, that cute smirk he’s known for, and my insides instantly melt.Fucker.He places his hand out like this is a business transaction, and I giggle, taking it in mine. We shake once, and he dips his head. “Deal.”

Leaning in closer, I lock eyes with him. “You’re so hot when you’re trying to be serious.”

He grins again. “You’re fucking hot all the time, baby.” He winks, bringing the back of my hand to his lips, kisses it, and then walks away.

Suddenly, the sound of dry retching comes from behind me, and I turn to see Prinie pretending to puke, and I burst out laughing. “See, youliterallymake me want to hurl,” she jests.

Cherry laughs as I smile because I know that even though I may have felt a pang of jealousy toward Amber for having her eyes on my man, Six would never have his eyes on her.

He merely wants to help her.

That’s his nature, and I get that.

So I need to let go and try to help her too.

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