Page 150 of Sinning for Santa

Voices sound in my earpiece, my men at the gates sending updates as cars pull into my town, parking in the front paddocks before they make the hike up the steep hill.

It’s not long before my little town is filled with strangers, which puts me on edge more so than any other Christmas Eve.

There’s a lot of cheer going on. Children’s laughter. Oooh’s and ahhh’s from women exploring the stalls for last minute gifts, as well as men’s laughter while many of them congregate outside the Palace, having a cold beer on me as they chat and watch the live music.

Moving from stall to stall, I help here and there, trying to blend in enough not to be noticed as the king of this town.

Jaxcen easily tells me apart from my other Santas, her eyes catching mine when I assist at Allegra’s store and then Marilda’s.

I also don’t miss the narrowing of eyes Jaxcen sends my way when I talk quietly with Marilda.

It looks like my little mouse gets jealous easily.

Yet another form of sin.

That thought makes me smile.

I think I’m thoroughly corrupting Miss Summers and I’m not even fucking sorry.

“I can’t believe we are out of ice again.” Ronnie grumbles as he approaches Marilda’s stall. “Have you seen Eden? I need her to get some more ice from the cellar.”

“She’s over there.” Jaxcen points across the street, where Eden and Allegra are talking to a group of teenage boys. “I can get the ice for you.”

Her offer shouldn’t surprise me, but it does.

This isn’t her town. In fact, she was brought here against her will, yet she fits in so much like a local after only a few days.

Why do I like that so much?

“Are you sure?” Ronnie asks, even as he holds out the bucket. “I can grab the girls to do it.”

“Don’t be silly,” Jaxcen waves dismissively. “Leave them to their fun. I’ll be right back.”

Ronnie mutters a thanks and a shrug as Jaxcen bounces on her toes and spins to head into the Palace. “She’s a lot nicer when she’s not wielding a knife.”

Throwing my head back, laughing, Ronnie’s grin appears momentarily before he spins and returns to the makeshift street bar.

I assist in yet another sale of Marilda’s knitted Christmas jumpers for dogs when Finn hurries to my side and speaks quietly in my ear.

“Melissa is missing.”

I jerk back like the fucker slapped me. “What?”

“Dom and his team are reviewing the CCTV, but so far we don’t know when or where it happened.”

“Lock the place down. No one leaves,” I snap, and Finn nods, pulling out his phone.

My gaze darts everywhere, from stall to stall, from group to group, searching for Melissa, our fucking bait.

It was her idea. She volunteered, and I wasn’t happy about it, but the idea that we could lure Mr fucking V here, onto our turf would give us the upper hand.

“We’re locked down. No one has left since arriving.” Finn informs me which means Melissa has to still be here.

“I want a fucking head count!” I snap, and a nearby child’s eyes widen at the fact a Santa is swearing.

I’ll fucking care about that later.

“On it.” Finn moves away, speaking to some of my other men nearby.

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