Page 35 of Silent Night Sins
Ever the knight in shining armor, Donny rose to the occasion. “I’ll take you home.”
I snatched my coat, but I was too warm to wear it. “Thanks, but it’s your party. You can’t leave.”
“I’ll take her.” Cristiano’s voice brooked no argument.
Donny slid a glance between us. It was as if he were seeing us for the first time.
“No, you have sponsors to schmooze.” And I needed some peace and quiet to grapple with reality. “I’ll go. You two stay.”
Attheir combined protest, I lifted my hand. “Shoo, both of you.”
The golden boy cowed to my request.
The monster? His look promised that my dismissal would come with a heavy fine. For the first time since stepping outside, a shiver rattled through me. He hadn’t come last night, and I wondered if tonight was the night he’d break into my bedroom and make good on the promises he kept giving.
I followed them inside, slipping down the hall, and waiting by the front door for the rideshare. When the Tesla pulled up, I fled into the dark and gratefully slid into the warm interior.
“It is you, Miss!” the driver said merrily.
I blinked. “Eduardo! Oh, am I glad to see you.”
He frowned. “You didn’t see me on the app?”
I shook my head. “It’s been a night. I’m sorry. I didn’t notice. How have you been?”
“Oh, just fine, Miss,” he launched into a description of the toys he’d bought his grandchildren, thanking me profusely for the generous tip. “The stand mixer is wrapped and waiting for my wife!”
His joy was infectious. It felt good to know I was part of it.
That.
That was what I should be doing. Things that made me feel good. Nothing about tonight—with the exception of spending a few stolen moments with my monster—made me feel that way.
What did bring me happiness was knowing that my cookies were a hit. That each had been crafted with hard work, and then decorated with every ounce of creativity I possessed. It might not be canvas, but artists were nothing if not adaptable to new mediums.
I could do this. What had Cristiano said? Spread my wings and soar? I was his angel, after all.
And it was time to fly.
The storm clouds from being amongst successful, wealthy individuals parted, and by the time I pulled up at my father’s brownstone, I felt loads better.
“Thank you for the ride, Eduardo.” I gave him a hug. “I needed this.”
The driver looked at me as if I’d grown a second head. “Everything alright, Miss?”
“It will be,” I promised. “All I want for Christmas is a new dream, and I’ll be damned if I don’t make it happen.”
He nodded. “Go get ‘em.”
Chuckling, I left the vehicle and skipped up the steps. Once inside, I tapped on the screen and left another generous tip. This time, I added a note.
Angels do exist.
Chapter 11 – Cristiano
Most folks wished for a white Christmas. A simple blanket of fluffy snow to add to the charm of the holiday. When Mother Nature threw a fit, when she decided to unleash her fury, people scrunched up their noses and complained about the sheets and sheets of white crap dumping on their lawns and roads. A blizzard became a sore spot.
It made me laugh.
