Page 172 of Sinning for Santa

“No one asked for your advice,” she snaps at him, and my brows shoot up.

“Oh come on now. Why are you still so grumpy at me? I told you I would bring you to your sister, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.”

She scoffs. “You kidnapped me. That’s what you did.”

My mouth drops open as Presley pops her hip with her hand on it as she points a Christmas themed talon-like nail in his direction.

“You kidnapped her?” I ask and he shrugs.

“It’s a Marx thing.”

I roll my eyes as Devon chuckles, but the moment I turn a glare his way, he shuts up.

“She doesn’t know Liam, little mouse. She wouldn’t go with him, let alone trust him. How else was I meant to give you this gift?”

My shoulders drop as my expression does.

“Literally, so many ways other than kidnapping,” I deadpan, and he ignores me.

“Welcome to my town, Presley. I hope you and Jaxcen enjoy spending Christmas with us.” Then he takes my hand in his. “Come on, little mouse, let’s have lunch.”

Presley’s brows shoot up, and she mouths ‘little mouse’ to me before grinning, and I can’t help but giggle.

The street fills with the town locals, even the drunks venture from the bar for lunch, as do the Burlingtons, still wearing their typical morbid expressions, but out in the sun like this, they look a fraction less miserable.

Their pain. Their loss. It will never leave them. I can see that, which is really sad.

I haven’t asked what happened to them, but I remember their words when I lost my shit and started threatening people with a knife.

They’ve lost people very dear to them.

Devon ushers me to sit at the end of the table as he takes the head seat, and Presley sits next to me, while Liam sits across from her, shooting her a wink which wins him a glare.

I grin.

If shelightens up, I get the feeling Presley would really get along with Liam. He’s playful, something I know my sister is too when she feels safe.

“Wasn’t sure if you’d make it,” Devon snickers, and I glance up to see Finn pulling out the chair across from me and flopping down in it, wearing a black eye.

“Wasn’t sure I’d make it either,” he says grimly.

“Is Frankie… okay?” I ask, and he nods.

“She’s full of fucking energy today.”

“Is she coming for lunch?” I wonder and he shakes his head.

“Nope. Said she doesn’t do Christmas or Easter. Only Valentine’s Day and Halloween.”

I grin. I think Frankie and I could be good friends.

I introduce the people around us to Presley, and the banter around the table is entertaining as we eat, cheers also ringing up an hour later when Marilda and Warrick finally join us.

He scoops up Damon from the stroller and sits him on his lap while he eats, not letting anyone else have him.

It makes me smile.

Obviously their situation isn’t the best, and I can imagine there’s a lot of anger involved, but it’s clear he loves Marilda and Damon. It’s sad to think he has to leave them again soon.

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