Page 73 of Naughty Santa Daddy

“We need to ask your dad. If he says it’s okay, I’ll be more than happy to play in the snow with you. But if he says no, we could make homemade ornaments for the tree in the living room.”

The tree is stunning, but I couldn’t help but notice nothing personal about it. Amos tells me he wants to do both and then leaps from the bed to go find Greta and call his dad. While he’s gone, I search the room for something to wear. A pair of drawstring sweats and a hoodie will have to do. I’m fully dressed, teeth brushed,thanks to stealing Massimo’s toothbrush,and hair tamed by the time he returns.

“Dad said yes! He’ll join us soon.”

“Let’s go then!”

Greta hands me an egg burrito and a cup of coffee as we pass through the kitchen.I really like her.For the first few minutes, I eat my burrito and sip my coffee while following Amos around the vast property. Once I’ve finished my burrito, I place my coffee cup on the ledge of the porch and join Amos. We tosssnow at one another and run around. We’re having a wonderful time until Amos begins heading toward the lake.

“Hey, buddy,” I call out. “I don’t think we should go down there. It might be slick and we could fall in.”

He laughs and keeps skipping in the snow. “We go down here all the time. I throw rocks.”

“I’m not comfortable with this. Let’s wait for your dad. Amos. Amos!” I call as I chase after him. Shit. I don’t have a phone to call for help. There has to be security off in the distance somewhere.

Amos gets to the edge of the lake and yells, “There’s something in the ice! It’s poking up!”

My heart is in my throat. I hurry to him, my feet sliding on the snow, screaming for him to get away from the edge as his tiny foot takes a step onto the flimsy ice.

“Amos! Get back! No!”

I’m almost to him when he retreats one foot. Thank goodness. Relief floods through me as I go to reach for him, but his foot slides. To my horror, he falls backward into the chilly waters. Two things happen simultaneously: a six-year-old boy has fallen in a lake in the middle of winter, and the thing that Amos saw in the lake is an alligator’s snout poking up from the ice.

I don’t think. I dive into the water after him. Sharp tiny pins hit my skin. I ignore it as my feet push me through the icy water. I wrap my arms around Amos’ tiny body and shove him to the shore as hard as I can. I can’t even see from the water splashing in my face. It burns. Everything hurts. And there’s a fucking alligator within reach of me.

I’m too terrified to look behind him. My hands sink into the muddy bank as I try to climb out of the lake of death. Two strong arms hoist me up. I don’t even pay any mind to my rescuer. I rush to the little boy and grab Amos’ teary face between my hands. Somebody has already wrapped him in a thick blanket.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” I begin touching his shoulders, the top of his head, his back. “You’re freezing, little buddy. Did you get hurt when you fell in?”

He shakes his little head. “I’m so cold.”

“Yeah, yeah. Me too, buddy. Let’s get you inside. Maybe sit by the fireplace and have some hot chocolate.”

“I was so scared. It was looking at me.” His tiny voice guts me.

My tears are hot as they trail down my freezing face. “Me too. Me too. But you’re okay now.”

A deep voice behind me answers, “Thanks to you.”

Massimo.

His security men circle us. Massimo removes his jacket and wraps it around me. He whispers something to one of his men, and they lead the boy to the house. They all leave me standing there with their boss.

“I’m so sorry. I should’ve stayed closer. I’m going to be sick, oh my God. He could’ve…” I can’t even finish the thought.

“Stop. Please. I saw everything that happened.” His fists clench and unclench, the knuckles turning white. “I know my son. He’s always wanting to run to the lake. I watched you dive in immediately after him. You didn’t hesitate. Even with an alligator there. I’m not sure many people would do that. Luckily, gators move slower in the winter to conserve energy. It’s been a while since one has come this close to our property.” He regards me for a moment and then shakes his head as though he’s in pain. “Thank you.” Another pause, and then he seems to remember I’m standing there soaking wet and my teeth clacking so hard they’re about to break. “Let’s get you inside.”

He wraps his arm around me and then places a gentle kiss on my forehead. His eyes bore into mine. “Thank you,” he whispers again.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I didn’t save the child for him, even though I promised I’d never hurt hisson. I simply could never stand by and allow a child to be in danger and do nothing. Captive or not, the boy is innocent. I wonder what kind of soulless monsters he’s been around to seem surprised I’d save his son's life.

I can add that to my list while I’m still trying to figure out what monster abducts a woman and promises her safety in return for sharing his bed.

Massimo keeps me against his side as we walk away from the lake. A group of men in black security gear are hauling two similarly dressed men to the lake.

“Who are those guys?”

“The incompetent men who were tasked with guarding my son.”

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