Page 102 of Jolt's Vengeance

He rushes back in and slides on the hardwood floor like a rocker playing at Madison Square Garden.

Sorcha comes back too, plopping down quietly.

Conrad begins ripping away at more paper and before long he’s squealing, eyes wide with excitement.

"Oh my gosh, it's the newMinecraftLego set! Santa is the freaking best!"

I glance over at Jolt and realize he's watching me, those deep green eyes of his intense and searching.

"What?" I ask, suddenly self-conscious. "Do I have hot chocolate on my face or something?"

Jolt shakes his head, a slow smile spreading across his face. "No, nothing like that. You just... you look beautiful, Aggie. Radiant."

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest.

"Oh, stop it. You don't need to butter me up, you know. You've already got me."

"I'm not toying with you," Jolt says, his voice low and serious.

He reaches up, tucking a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. "I mean it. Seeing you this happy... it's something else. You're glowing."

I feel my cheeks heat up, and I'm grateful for the dim lighting that hopefully hides my blush.

"You're such a sap," I mutter, but there's no real bite to my words.

"Only for you, lass," he responds, his attempt at a Scottish accent making me snort with laughter.

Davina calls out, her eyebrow arched, "Oi, what's so funny over there?"

"Nothing," I say quickly, at the same time Jolt answers, "Just admiring your sister's beauty."

Davina makes a gagging noise, but I can see the approval in her eyes.

It means more to me than I care to admit, knowing that my family seems to like Jolt.

As Conrad launches into an excited explanation of his new Lego set to anyone who'll listen, I lean back into Jolt's embrace, allowing myself to relax fully for what feels like the first time in weeks.

Tomorrow, we'll have to head back to Vegas, back to the club and all the complications life brings us.

I won’t lie though, the crackling fire and the soft chatter of my family create a cocoon of warmth that I never want to leave.

As I watch Sorcha help Conrad piece together his new Lego set, I realize how much I’ve truly missed my family.

"Mum?" Sorcha's voice breaks through my thoughts.

She's looking at our mother with a furrowed brow. "Did you and Da get anything for Aggie for Christmas?"

I feel my cheeks heat up. "Sorcha, don't be?—"

But my mum's warm laugh cuts me off. "Of course we did, love. We've got presents for Aggie, and for Sienna too." Her eyes twinkle mischievously. "We even picked up a couple things for Jolt and Vader."

Jolt straightens beside me, surprise evident in his voice. "Ma’am, you didn't have to?—"

"Natalie, dear," my mum corrects him gently. "And of course we did. You're guests in our home, and more importantly," she gives me a knowing look, "you're important to our Aggie girl."

I duck my head, feeling a mix of embarrassment and overwhelming love for my family.

Jolt's arm tightens around me, and when I glance up at him, I see a softness in his eyes that makes my heart skip a beat.

---