Page 111 of Let Us Prey

“Fine! Whatever.”

I smile at his petulance, stretching to place a light kiss on his lips. “Don’t pout—it’s Christmas. There are presents...”

His face lights up, and he damn near springs out of the pile of blankets and pillows, like a kid on, well, Christmas morning. “What the hell are we waiting for, then?”

Taking his hand, I let him pull me to my feet. Fitz grins wickedly, and I look down, realizing my pajama pants are in danger of falling down. Flushing, I roll the waist so they stay put, covering the skimpy thong straps so I don’t look like a dancer in a hip hop video. “Perv,” I mutter, smacking his chest lightly before padding over to the gigantic tree.

“You know I like it when you’re violent,” he croons.

Ignoring him, I gaze at the tree that magically appeared yesterday. Aubrey told me Rennie had the raccoons help with decorating, but some lights seem awfully high for them to reach. My fingertips brush a tiny rabbit-shaped ornament and I grin. All the decor is bunny-themed, and the tree is a rainbow ombre, like my hair.

I think someone has a crush on me.

“I don’t know how you made this happen, but I love it,” I say, turning back to look at them all, with my gaze lingering on Renard. “I’ve never had a tree that wasn’t designed to impress rich guests before. This feels like…me.Thank you.”

Even the grumpiest of my men look pleased with my response, and it makes my heart squeeze. I walk over and place a light kiss on each of their lips, making sure they can see the appreciation shining in my eyes. I’ve been conditioned not to expect much from the people around me, but so far, they’ve all proven it’s possible to have people who care about you—who don’t crush your heart for shits and giggles.

It’s helping me believe I deserve it.

“Okay, let’s open presents!” I clap my hands, excited for them to see the special gifts I commissioned for each of them.

Hoisting up the hems of my oversized pants, I scurry closer to the tree and pick up my stack of packages. After the guys brought me up here to see the decorations last night, I got Fitz and Chess to come downstairs with me to grab my loot to put under the tree. I probably should have grabbed more appropriate PJs while I was there, but I didn’t expect the Christmas Eve Slaystation tournament to last so late that we’d all end up sacking out up here.

Aubrey’s blanket nest was a pleasant surprise, that’s for sure.

“You didn’t have to get us anything, angel,” Chess says as he heads over to the bar. That’s funny coming from him, since the quiet cheetah takes care of everyone without being asked.

I smile fondly as he starts a coffee maker that mysteriously appeared right before I started cramming for exams, then I turn to the group. “Iwantedto, and I’m excited for you to see what I got, so scoot back over here,” I reply as I plop into the nest area. Aubrey tries to hide a grin, but I see it and crook my finger. “Come on, guys—all of you!”

They finally move, some of them stopping off at the tree to pick up a present, and my eyes widen.

Holy shit, did they actually get me something? Like… picked it out themselves?

Unsure how to process that, I set out the gifts in a half circle as I wait for them to join me.

Fitz is first, skidding to a stop inches from my face as he places a large box in front of my crossed legs. He then positions himself behind me, pulling me onto his lap. “Sit on Santa’s lap and tell me what you want, little girl.”

“Ew!” I pretend to cringe, swatting him playfully as he laughs.

My gargoyle is next, placing a medium-sized square box carefully next to Fitz’s before he sprawls out on his side. Until I started spending so much time here, I would have never expected a gargoyle to behave so much like a giant cat shifter, but Rennie is forever draping himself over things. His tail flicks out behind him and I reach over to catch it in my hand, enjoying the surprised look on his face.

Bull by the horns—or gargoyle by the tail—Rufus would be proud.

The stoic tiger king is next, his box is smaller but wrapped in sparkly paper with an enormous unicorn-printed bow, which is kind of adorable. I run my fingers over the ribbon with a shy smile, and he dips his chin as he sits across from us.

“Don’t move. The coffee is hot as hell,” Chess says as he walks over with a tray of steaming mugs.

The guys all grunt in acknowledgement, which I suppose passes for ‘thank you’ in dude.

I take the mug he hands me, squealing in happiness. He’s put everything I like in here: French vanilla creamer, whipped cream, and a drizzle of white chocolate, and I take a sip with a low groan of pleasure. “Thank you, Chess.”

When I look up, all five sets of eyes are riveted to me, and I duck my head in embarrassment. The room fills with masculine laughter, and I burrow a little deeper into Fitz’s arms as my face turns bright red.

I wasn’t trying to be sexy or anything; it was really good!

Chess sets the tray on an end table before joining us in the nest, placing a tiny box on top of Fitz’s. I look at the haul with wide eyes, and a throat clears.

“I’ll go last, if you don’t mind,” the dragon says as he perches on the arm of the couch.

---