Page 54 of Subbing For Santa

Family

Agatha

Thelongdrivefromthe Timber Valley region to the large Marx estate, north of the city, leaves me a mix of tired and anxious about meeting Griffin’s family. I’m not all that accustomed to being in a relationship, but I’m pretty sure meeting the family this soon is irregular. Let’s not forget that his family is a crime family.

A fucking crime family!

The lavish Marx mansion is set on sprawling green acreage, a mix of grey stone and render on the house’s façade, partially hidden behind large trees that provide some privacy from the road.

Griffin drives his car through the large black cast iron gates, up the cobble stoned drive to park behind an array of expensive cars that sit, framing the fountain in the centre.

“You like?” Griffin asks, and I realise my jaw has dropped open in awe.

“Yeah. It’s amazing.”

“Wait until you see inside. The walls are panelled, and the floors are a mix of herringbone timber, marble, and the softest damn carpet you’ll ever walk on.”

“Shit. Maybe bringing me here wasn’t a good idea.” I mumble, my eyes scanning over the manicured gardens.

“Don’t be silly, Aggie. You belong here. With me.”

I don’t look back at him, but I hear him get out of the car, and a few beats later, he’s opening my door.

“Come on beautiful. Come and meet my family.”

I let him pull me up out of his car, even though I’m about ready to lock myself in, and he tugs me along the driveway to the front door. I don’t speak as he leads me, my heart thumping wildly in my chest as he pushes the large glass door open, and the sound of laughter meets our ears.

My eyes dart everywhere, taking in the grand foyer with the intricate herringbone timber floors Griffin told me about. The walls are lined with white panelling on the ground level but changes to mirrored panelling on the second story where a large crystal chandelier hangs down from the timber panelled ceiling.

“Fucking hell,” I whisper, and Griffin chuckles.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Beautiful is one word for it,” I say quietly as he leads me through to the main living room.

My hand instantly feels sweaty in his hold as so many eyes turn our way, most of them male.

“Oh! This must be Agatha.” A woman cries, pushing through the tall wall of males, beelining in our direction.

“Yes, Selena. This is Agatha.” Griffin grins.

I’m about to drop my hand from his grip to offer Selena a handshake, but she reaches forward, pulling me in for a hug. My eyes dart to Griffin over her shoulder, who’s wearing a beaming smile before he speaks.

“Aggie. This is my stepmother. Selena.”

Selena pulls back from our hug, her dark hair in long smooth waves, her expression delighted as she studies me.

“Uh. Hi.” I offer, because I’m a woman of many words, apparently.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, honey. When Griff told us he was serious about a girl, we simply had to have you over for Christmas.”

Again, when I glance at Griffin, he’s beaming.

“Thank you for having me.” I offer, not knowing what else to say, and she offers me a warm smile in return.

“Ok, let’s get the introductions over with. I’m starving.” Griffin rubs his hands together as masculine chuckles fill the room.

An older man steps through the crowd, his eyes trained on me as he approaches. Instant chills run up my spine as I realise who this man is. After all, his face came up in a lot of my internet searches last night.

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