Page 38 of The Grinch Who Stole Orcmas

Bold approaches, his wolven features set in a serious expression. “Hey, lovebirds. Got some news for you.”

Grum raises an eyebrow. “Good or bad?”

Bold grins, showing impressive canines. “Depends on who you are. Good news for the Zone, bad news for Sykes, who is incustody. They’re building a case as we speak. This picture was flashed on every network and new station and paper in the city.”

He shows us a picture on his phone of three very unhappy goons with duct tape on their mouths and Christmas lights tying them together, blinking red, green, and white, reflecting off the ornaments and mounds of tinsel hanging all over them.

The headline reads: A gift from Santa for the Los Angeles police department.

I laugh excitedly. “That’s fantastic! Justice is being served.”

“Hold your reindeer,” Bold continues. “There’s more. Word is, they think Frost of Frost Enterprises was the kingpin behind it all. Sykes rolled on him.”

My jaw drops. “Frost? But he’s such a philanthropist! He even helped us get the toys back.”

Grum squeezes my shoulder. “Sometimes the brightest lights cast the darkest shadows, Joy.”

“But… he seemed so genuine when I called to thank him for working his magic with the police,” I protest, struggling to process the nice man who threw the gala to benefit the Zone with the same man who syphoned funds into his own pocket.

Bold shrugs. “Hey, I’m just the messenger. But think about it—who better to run a massive embezzlement scheme than someone above suspicion?”

“He’s got a point,” Grum nods. “It’s the perfect cover.”

I sigh, leaning into Grum. “I guess you’re right. It’s just… disappointing.”

“Look on the bright side,” Grum says, eyes twinkling mischievously. “We’ve officially graduated from Santa’s little burglars to full-fledged Christmas crime-fighters.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Does this mean you’ll wear a superhero cape next year instead of a Santa suit?” Oh my God, just thinking of my musclebound male in spandex has me wanting to drag him back to his apartment so I can have my way with him.

“Don’t push your luck,” Grum growls playfully. “I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”

Bold rolls his eyes. “Yeah, a reputation that’s getting softer by the minute. Next thing you know, you’ll be leading the Christmas caroling.”

“I’d pay good money to see that,” I giggle.

Grum huffs, but I know it’s all for show. “Keep it up, and I’ll stuff you both in stockings and hang you from the chimney.”

The party winds down slowly because no one wants to leave, a testament to how comfortable we are with each other, no matter how vast our differences. As I watch Grum chuckle at Bold’s teasing, my mind sprints to future Christmases… and all of them have a gorgeous green Grinch in them.

… or should I sayformerGrinch?

Chapter 22: Silent Night

Joy

Grum and I hurry back to his apartment, our fingers intertwined. I’m still hyped up on way too much coffee and the excitement of seeing the magic of what happened in the community center. Grum’s dark man-bun is streaked with glitter and frost paint, giving him a festive, and sexy, look.

“I can’t believe we pulled it off.” I lean into his warmth, unable to allow any distance to separate us. “Did you see the kids’ faces? And the way everyone came together? No squabbling, no us versus them, just… people enjoying each other.”

Grum’s rumbling chuckle arcs straight to my clit, somehow reminding me of some of the noises he made last night. “I saw. Though I was a bit distracted by a certain shapely elf running around, spreading Christmas cheer.”

I grin up at him, my heart swelling with affection. “Oh? And here I thought Santa was the star of the show.”

He snorts, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Santa was just along for the ride. You’re the real miracle worker here, Joy.”

We pause outside his building, and I turn to face him. The fading sunlight casts a soft glow on his green skin, his amber eyes warm as they meet mine. “We did it together,” I say softly. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

His large hand cups my cheek, thumb brushing my jaw. “Joy,” he murmurs, his voice low and intense. “You’ve changed everything. The Zone, Christmas…me.”

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