Page 173 of Sinning for Santa

After we’ve eaten way too much, I take Presley for a tour of the town, and we end up sitting on one of the park benches looking out over Timber Valley.

“Have you heard from Eddie since…” I trail off, not wanting to saysince the day Dr Xavier took me, but Presley shakes her head.

“Please tell me you’re not going to marry him.”

“Oh, I’m definitely not. My eyes are wide open now.”

She nods, angling towards me as she takes me in.

“You seem different. More… real.”

My brows shoot up. “As opposed to?”

“Lifeless. A robot. A yes person.”

Sighing, I can’t even be angry about that truth, no matter how hard it is to hear.

“I lostmyself to the treatments… I was still in there,” I tap the side of my head, “but scared. Terrified. A little mouse.”

“Is that why Devon calls you little mouse?” Presley snaps, looking like she’s ready to find him and rip him a new one.

“No. I thought it was because he thought I was weak, but he said he thinks I’m strong.”

She frowns. “So, it’s like a pet name?”

“I guess.” I shrug, still not really knowing the reason behind it myself.

“What’s the story with you two?” Presley asks. “He looks at you like he wants to eat you.”

I shrug. “That’s because he does.”

Presley’s mouth drops open before she bursts out laughing. “You little hoe.” She slaps my shoulder. “I’m so freaking proud of you.”

I laugh too, and damn, it feels good. Light. I feel light and… free.

When our laughter dies down, I stare back out at the valley below, wondering how many people in the houses down there are having a good Christmas, and how many are scared, or alone, or on the edge of their own cliff.

“I hate them,” I say quietly, before glancing back at my sister. “Mum and Dad. I hate them, Pres. I’ll never forgive them for not believing me. I’ll never forgive them for putting you into that room with that vile man.”

Presley’s eyes well with tears. “I know, Jax. I hate them, too. I should have done more back then, and the other day…” She trails off, shaking her head in frustration.

“What could you have done? You would have gotten hurt, either of the times.”

“But you sacrificed yourself for me. Twice. I’m the big sister. I should be doing that for you.” She sobs, and I throw my arms around her as we embrace.

“Stop beating yourself up for the things our parents have done,” I say into her hair. “Now tell me. How pathetic is Dad being about losing his fingers?”

Presley bursts out laughing, leaning back to look at me. “He’s so pathetic. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened.”

We both burst into fits of laughter, our giggles floating out over the cliffs of Woodall Ridge, to fall over the town of Fox Pines below.

The day has been wonderful. The best Christmas I ever remember having, and when we rejoin the celebrations on Main Street, Devon is just walking out of the Palace, probably coming from his office or his suite.

We sit and have a few drinks, and finally, Presley stops glaring at Liam and starts laughing with him, and the moment Devon catches my eye, gesturing his head for me to go to him, I stand and leave the celebrations, going for a stroll with the town’s king.

We do a walk around the block and I chat away, telling him stories about my Christmases with Presley growing up, and then he leads me through the pub’s back entrance, and up the stairs.

I assume he’s taking me to his suite, where we will likely disappear for an hour, but then he leads me to the attic door, and up another flight of stairs.

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