Page 42 of Festive Fugitive
Patch just watches me with dead eyes. “Yeah. He wouldn’t leave unless I scanned him off the books.”
The blonde wraps her arms on her chest and frowns. I brace myself for a slew of insults. “What… kind of chips? You know, my uncle has been complaining about an itch at the back of his head ever since he came out of the army.”
I point at her and nod. “Exactly what I’m talking about. I’m a vet too, but the government surveillance continues!”
The woman glances at Patch. “Okay, fine, whatever, just go, but don’t bring any of your friends here for this. We can’t lose the contract for working here. We will talk about this tomorrow,” she adds, opening her car. I watch her leave, and only once we can no longer see the back lights of her vehicle do I approach the nurse with a wad of cash.
“Thank you. We’ll be out of your hair.”
I go right back in, and before Eli can protest that he’ll limp instead, I pick him up. It feels as if instead of weakening me, the conversation with him has only made me stronger.
He pulls down his mask as we walk away so I can see his smile. “That was pretty funny.”
He always has a new compliment for me.
My urge to treat him is so strong I already have several ideas of how to do that.
Chapter 17
Eli
I’venevernappedthismuch in my life. Cesar’s presence is so reassuring, my body so happily shuts down under a blanket while he drives us someplace only he knows.
“Snacks?” I ask when he wakes me up. I’m not that hungry, but it’s becoming a joke between us, so I don’t miss the opportunity to brighten his day. He needs it. The horrific things he’s gone through have scarred him in ways deeper and more profound than any physical injuries he’s endured. I’ll do anything in my power to support him, even if I can’t offer that much.
It’s already dark, but as he leans over me, stroking the side of my head, I spot warm lights behind him. “Wakey, wakey. Time to treat ourselves to a nice time on Christmas Eve,” he says, pointing at the large Christmas tree right outside our car window.
I smile at him, because it gets me all fuzzy inside that he’s getting into the Christmas spirit. I want him to have that. So what if he’s a killer? Maybe it’s fucked up, butlifeis fucked up. Mine definitely is.
“You prepared something? Where are we?” I push off my blanket, trying to work out our new location.
He glances over his shoulder and smirks. “Prepared is too big of a word. But I think you deserve a break. Someone canceled their reservation last minute, and I snatched the room.”
I open the car door and I finally see it.
Holly Falls Lodge and Spaspelled in elegant letters above a grand entrance to a sprawling building sat above a gorge. I can see it all quite clearly thanks to the opulent Christmas decorations sparkling with colorful lights.
And then I hear something else. I don’t wait for Cesar to assist me and limp out to a barrier beyond which I hear the waterfall the resort was surely named after.
“Cesar! Come look at this!” I yell in excitement as the cool breeze hits my face and I inhale the fresh scent.
Which reminds me I should be wearing my mask, but there’s no one here. Nobody to see me in the shadows as I marvel at the grand cascade of water illuminated with a golden-hued illumination. We’re on the edge of a cliff overlooking the falls and the languid trail of the river, and while it’s dark, so I can only see so much, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more grand.
The sense of awe spreads through me, and I don’t even flinch when Cesar puts the cloth mask on my face, hooking the straps behind my ears. “I’ve been here before,” he tells me. “On a job, but this place is famous for their masked Christmas parties. We won’t stand out too much.”
I look back at him because right now, he’s more awe worthy than the waterfall. “You thought of everything. Ilove you so much.” I turn to him for a tight hug, amazed that I thought I’d ruined my life when I killed Sullivan, but instead it led me to Cesar, and he’s rebuilding it brick by brick, into the most grandiose castle in existence.
He makes a small sound at the back of his throat, but after a moment’s pause, his warm arms tighten around me until he’s almost lifting me off the ground. I never knew safety could have a scent, but it’s herbal, and dark, and I’m surrounded by it.
“I just want to make you happy. Do you… want to bring some of the branches from the cabin with us?” he asks, gesturing at the car.
“No, I think they’ll fare better in the car, and it will smell nice when we come back.” I grab his hand. I know it will make us stand out more, but who is going to think the Festive Fugitive has gotten himself a boyfriend in two weeks?
The building’s dark wooden exterior is outlined with warm white string lights that trace the rooflines and gables, glowing against the night sky. The windows glow like golden panels, inviting us in, and I can’t wait to find out what feast awaits us—
“Are you sure we can afford this?” I glance at Cesar as we approach the glass door. I can already see the towering Christmas tree by the reception area, topped by a golden star and decorated in classic colors of red and green.
This place is fancy, like a hotel for the rich in one of those feel-good Christmas movies, and as we approach the door, I imagine we are the main characters of a rom-com, and this is when my man will reveal that he can surround me with mind-blowing luxury, and that I will never have to worry about money again.
