Page 16 of The Grinch Who Stole Orcmas

That’s it. I can’t take it anymore. Before anyone can stop me, I’m on my feet, marching toward the truck. “Hey! Those aren’t yours!”

“Joy, wait!” Grum calls, his voice deep and panicked. But it’s too late.

The thugs whirl around, eyes wide with shock. For a moment, everyone freezes but Grum, who runs surprisingly fast for such a big male. He steps between me and the thugs, his arms wide, trying to protect me with the only weapon he has, his body.

Then Kam’s booming voice breaks the silence. “Emma’s called the police. They’re on their way.”

The would-be thieves look at each other, then back at us. “Screw this,” one mutters, and they both take off running, leaving the watchman sputtering in confusion.

Kam and Thornn take off after the thugs and before the stunned warehouse guy can move a step in any direction, Grum is holding the man’s hands securely behind his back.

As sirens wail in the distance, a giddy smile spreads across my face. “We did it,” I breathe. “We actually did it!”

Grum turns toward me, shaking his head, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “You’re crazy, you know that? Running out there like that. You could’ve been hurt.”

“But I wasn’t hurt,” I counter, feeling brave. “Because I knew you’d have my back.” The words are out of my mouth before I think them through, but they’re true. I wouldn’t have dared to do anything half that risky if Grum hadn’t been here.

For a moment, we just stare at each other, the air between us charged with something I can’t quite name. Then Emma’s voice cuts through the tension as Kam and Thornn return, each gripping a struggling, swearing thug securely in their hands.

“Guys? The police are almost here. We should probably explain… well, everything.”

As we turn to greet the approaching officers, I can’t help but feel a surge of triumph. We found the presents, caught the bad guys, and maybe rescued Christmas for dozens of needy kids.

But something tells me our adventure is far from over. Is Sykes really the head of the probation department? And what does he have to do with stolen computers and electronics?

I glance back at the truck. One thing is certain, other than a few ruined stuffed animals, we recovered everything. The kids will get their happy holiday after all.

Chapter 10: Trials and Tuxedos

Grum

Watching Joy charge toward those thugs, my heart nearly stopped. Every instinct screamed to pull her back, to shield her from danger. But she had already left my side, fierce and fearless, defending those damn toys like a mama bear.

Although I was sure those jerks were armed, I didn’t hesitate to run to her aid and stand between her and possible bullets.

Now, as the police swarm the scene, my brain catches up with me. What the hell was she thinking? I want to grab her and shake some sense into her. No, that’s a lie. What I really want is to pull her into my arms, sniff her neck to memorize her scent, and kiss her lips until they say yes to other intimacies.

No. Can’t go there. But the image of her facing down those criminals keeps replaying in my mind, and with it, a terrifying thought: what if I’d lost her?

Lost her? Since when did she become someone I could lose?

“Grum?” Joy’s voice snaps me back to reality. “You okay? You look a little… green-er.” She grins at her own joke, and despite everything, I feel the corners of my mouth twitch.

“I’m fine,” I grunt. “You’re the one who just pulled a crazy stunt.”

She has the grace to look sheepish. “Yeah, about that… I guess I got a little carried away.”

“A little?” I growl, stepping closer. “You could’ve been hurt, or worse. Joy, what were you thinking?”

For a moment, we’re toe to toe, my anger and worry swirling inside me like a hurricane. But then she looks up at me with those big, earnest eyes, and all the fight drains out of me. The urge to drag her close and let her feel my purr against her chest is almost overwhelming.

“I was thinking about the kids, Grum. About making their Christmas special. Isn’t that what this is all about?”

Before I can respond, an officer approaches. “Ma’am, sir, we need to take your statements.”

Joy nods, then turns back to the truck. “Of course, officer. Talk to him first if you don’t mind. While you do that, I’ll contactsomeone to help transport all these toys. They need to be at the community center by—”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the officer interrupts. “But all of this needs to be taken downtown. It’s now evidence in an investigation.”

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