Page 9 of Naughty Santa Daddy

Chapter 4

Andi Rhodes

Andi Rhodes

Alessandra (Alex)

“I can’t believe your parents let you come.”

I smile at Emily, who’s been my best friend since kindergarten. Her family doesn’t run in the same circles as mine, nor are they as concerned about security, so it’s rare that Mamá and Papá give me permission to spend the night. But this is a special occasion, and I begged and pleaded, using every trick under the sun, as the Daddy’s girl I am.

“You only turn ten once,” I tell her, repeating one of the many arguments I gave Papá.

I toss and turn on my childhood bed, the expensive sheets wrapping around my legs as the nightmare shifts.

“It’s almost time for lights out, girls.”

“Okay, Dad,” Emily says, and we both giggle.

There’s no way we’re going to sleep yet. The sugar high we’re riding hasn’t had a chance to run its course.

“I mean it, Em,” he says through the door, but his tone is calm and easy-going. “Tomorrow’s a big day.”

“We understand, Mr. Roth,” I call out as I hop off the bed. “Lights out.” I scurry to the door and flip the light switch on the wall next to it, shrouding the room in darkness. Fortunately, Emily sleeps with a nightlight, so I’m able to see my way back to my friend.

“‘Night,” Mr. Roth calls, and his footsteps thud on the hardwood floor as he walks down the hallway to the big bedroom.

We both crawl under the covers, comfortable sharing her double bed, and a few minutes pass before we turn on the flashlight she keeps in her room.

“Now what?” I ask.

Emily rolls to her side and shines the light under her chin. “Ghost stories?”

I nod enthusiastically, and we spend the next hour telling the scariest tales we can conjure. Unfortunately, neither of us has any idea of the horrors that await us tomorrow.

Shivering in my sleep, I flip onto my stomach and tug the fluffy comforter around my shoulders.

Music fills the skating rink, and Emily and I hold hands as we clumsily roll our way around the floor. Twenty-five kids from our class were invited to her birthday party, and all of them showed up. There’s only an hour left until parents will start toarrive as the party ends, and we’re making the most of every second.

“What song did you request?” she asks as we round the corner, almost colliding with Joey and Seth, two of our classmates.

I grin. “You’ll see.”

Less than a minute later, the music shifts, and Emily’s face lights up. “I lov—”

Bang!

Bang!

“Everyone on the ground,” a man shouts after the echo of the gunshots subsides. “Now!”

Screams fill the air as chaos ensues. Emily tries to skate toward her dad, but I drop to my knees, pulling her down with me. I’ve been taught enough about guns and bad men to know when running isn’t an option.

“Stay down,” I whisper, doing my best to keep my own fear at bay. “If we do what they say, we won’t get hurt.” Or so I’ve been told.

It doesn’t take long for me to realize that everything I’ve been taught is a lie. Big black boots stop inches from my face, but before I can lift my head to get a good look at the person wearing them, Emily is grabbed by the hair and dragged out of my reach.

I scramble after the pair, but a hand wraps around my ankle and pulls me in the opposite direction. After what feels like an eternity, I’m shoved into a corner by a giant man dressed in all black, and the soulless eyes peering at me through the slit in his mask send fear down my spine.

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