Page 9 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

I didn't expect it to ever happen, let alone so quickly over Christmas lights and craft beer. Yet, that's exactly what happened.

I'm inside Cocoa & Cheer Cafe, which offers the perfect vantage point of Ruby's Winterscape Bar. Snow falls softly outside, coating Main Street in fresh white, but it doesn't stop too many people doing last-minute shopping. Garlands and twinkling lights deck every storefront, andWhite Christmasplays for probably the hundredth time today. Usually, I love this season—the lights, the music, the way the whole town transforms into something magical.

But right now, all I can focus on is Ruby.

Three days since the festival. Three days since that kiss that damn near brought me to my knees. Three days of her scent—honey and cardamom—flooding my dreams.

I've been out of town for the last two days for a meeting with a new supplier, so today, I intend to see my sweet Ruby. But first, I want to ensure she's safe, as I've heard from a couple of friends I had watching her place that her cousin has been hanging around.

My coffee's gone cold, vanilla syrup pooling at the bottom. I should be at my brewery. Should be working on that new winter stout. Instead, I'm here.

Something's way off about Marcus. The way he looked at Ruby at the festival, like she's property to be claimed rather than the fierce, independent woman who nearly knocked me on my ass with one smile. I've been doing my homework on Whispering Grove's golden boy. The things people whisper when they think no one's listening… The fucker is rich, has connections, all inherited from his stepfather's side. Never worked a day in his life.

That's when a black Mercedes coming down the snowy street grabs my attention, and I spot Marcus in the driver's seat. My hand tightens on my cup.

"Time to play," I murmur, pulling out my phone. One quick text to Dominic.

Your boy's making his move.

The response is instant.

Watch the show.

Marcus parks illegally practically in front of the cafe door—of course, he does—and straightens his designer coat. He takes one step toward Ruby's bar.

That's when the tow truck appears from around the corner, grunting toward the Mercedes, and parks in front of it.

My new cup of coffee arrives, and I smirk at the blonde who stares at me too long.

Quickly, I turn my attention back to the show.

Two massive guys jump out of the truck. Before Marcus reaches the sidewalk, they're already hooking up his precious car. I grin as his face turns the color of Christmas lights.

"What do you think you're doing?" His voice carries even through the cafe door slightly ajar. "Do you know who I am?"

The bigger guy—must be close to seven feet—looks supremely bored. "Someone parked in a snow removal zone."

"This is my town!" Marcus pulls out his phone. "I'll have your jobs for this!"

"Your town?" The second guy steps into Marcus' space. "Funny. Paperwork says it belongs to the city council." He taps the sign Marcus definitely saw and ignored. "Can't remove snow with cars in the way. Public safety issue."

A crowd's gathering now. Phone cameras appear. Marcus's perfectly tailored suit doesn't appear so perfect as he gestures wildly, face getting redder by the second. The huge guy doesn't move an inch, just stands there like a mountain in a high-vis safety vest.

"My stepfather will hear about this!"

"Sure." The first guy keeps working, chains clinking. "He can pick up your car at the impound. After paying the fines. And the boot removal fee."

"Boot?" Marcus looks down. Somehow, while he was ranting, they'd slapped a boot on his back tire. "You can't… I'll sue…"

"City ordinance 47-B." The mountain shrugs. "Double parking during snow removal gets a boot once we deliver it to the impound to ensure you really learned your lesson when you receive two fines."

I hide my smirk behind my cup as Marcus's composure cracks. He's on his phone again, pacing, that perfectly bred Alpha control slipping with every step. The crowd's loving it, hanging on their every word. Several people are definitely livestreaming.

The Mercedes rises onto the truck bed as a cab appears, right on cue. Marcus storms toward it, trying to maintain dignity while foaming at the mouth.

"This isn't over!" he shouts at the tow truck.

"Sure is," Mountain-man drawls. "Unless you want a citation for threatening city workers."

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