Page 19 of Stalked By Santa

Yet all of that felt unreal, like something out of a fairytale. But the kind of power and wealth on display here—well, this is something I understand. I’ve been surrounded by this kind of power my whole life.

I survey Nick’s office, struggling to reconcile that kind of ruthless accumulation of material assets with the idea of Santa Claus. But then Nick himself isn’t how I envisioned Santa.

And I just don’t mean how hot he is. There’s an intensity, a possessiveness, a degree of obsession that’s at odds with all my preconceived ideas about Christmas. And who would have thought that some of the elves would turn out to be nearly as big and scary as Nick?

But some of them are. And he posted one such elf in the hall outside his office door, insisting that I couldn’t be left unguarded. I’m unsure what he’s expecting to happen in an office building, but his concern is actually reassuring.

The whole sleigh ride here, he was so distant and preoccupied. While he insisted that I eatmybreakfast during the flight, he just had a mug of black coffee. The entire trip, he just stared out the window, brooding.

I have no clue what his meeting is about, but it’s a struggle not to take the abrupt shift in his demeanor personally. I’m guessing he’s probably just worried about work. But it’s hard to silence the nagging doubt that maybe he’s already having second thoughts about freakingproposingso soon.

And yet the fact that he left an elf to guard me demonstrates that he cares. Right? I try to convince myself of that despite knowing that he must employ hundreds, if not thousands, of elves. What’s one elf bodyguard in the grand scheme of things?

And it’s just as likely that he placed the guard there to make sure that I stay put. Maybe he’s embarrassed that I’m so young and unsophisticated and the elf is there to make sure that I stay out of sight and don’t embarrass him.

“I’d say that it’s lovely to see you again, but we’d both know I was lying.”

I spin around to find the source of the voice and freeze. The dark-haired “elf” from the gala who exposed Barry’s infidelity stands next to Nick’s desk, one hand on her hip. Except apparently, she actuallyisan elf…

“I’m afraid we don’t have time for you to connect the dots, honey. So I’ll be blunt.” The elf continues. “I’m Nick’s executive assistant. On occasion, the position requires duties that fall outside of my official job description. Leading the team tasked with breaking up your relationship was one of the more unpleasant tasks Nick’s assigned over the years, although not quite as bad as that incident in Nicaragua.”

I stare at the beautiful elf, trying to make sense of her words. “Wait. You’re saying that Nick ordered that woman to have an affair with Barry?”

“Basically.” The elf shrugs. “He left the details of how to dispose of your boyfriend up to me. And any woman knows that the easiest way to manipulate a man is through his cock, a lesson you’ve clearly mastered—finally.”

“My ex-boyfriend,” I say, hating how lame I sound.

“Oh, yes, I’m aware that you’ve moved on to greener pastures, dear. That’s what I came to chat with you about.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

The elf crosses the room and stops in front of the bookshelves that line one of the walls. “It will be quickest to just show you.”

She pulls a book from the wall. A section of the shelves disappears, revealing a doorway. Curiosity piqued, I follow her through the opening. And then I gasp.

“Shrine” is the only word to describe the windowless room we’re standing in. A shrine tome. Thousands of photos of me, most of them candid shots, paper the walls. Other than an overstuffed armchair and an end table with a stack of papers and an empty tumbler on it, the room is empty of furniture.

Unsure what the elf expects from me, I walk over to the table and examine the papers. My letters. Every single letter I’ve ever addressed to Santa, including the ones from childhood.

I don’t know why I’m surprised. Nick admitted to stalking me. He confessed his obsession. Yet seeing the proof of it makes it real in a way that it somehow wasn’t before.

I’ve never felt so loved, so wanted, so…cherished. Turning to the elf, I smile. “As flattering as this is, I’m not sure why you’re showing it to me. Would Nick even want us to be in this room?”

The elf rolls her eyes. “I’m showing it to you so you understand how fucking close you are to destroying Christmas.”

“Excuse me?”

“Look. I bear part of the blame for this. If I’d realized how badly it would spiral, I would have nipped Nick’s obsession in the bud when it first started. As it is, I’m guilty of not only keeping his secret for years but of assisting him with his crazed surveillance scheme. Not that I had much choice. If I hadn’t covered for him, they’d have caught him even sooner.”

“Who? The police?” I ask, frustrated that I seem to be missing something that the elf views as obvious.

“The NYPD is a joke.” She rolls her eyes. “No, I’m talking about the board of directors. The Christmas Contract is clear about what lines a Santa must never cross, and it’s pretty simple. Sex is fine. Falling in love, though? That’s verboten.”

I collapse onto the chair, head spinning. “What do you meanaSanta? There’s more than one?”

She gives me a pitying look. “How well do you actually know Nick?”

When I don’t answer, she shakes her head. “Of course there’s been more than one Santa. Eventually, they all run afoul of the contract—one way or another. But losing Nick will be a huge blow to the syndicate and, honestly, to Christmas itself. He’s one of the best Santas we’ve had. He never flinches, never hesitates to do whatever it takes to help a kid in need. It makes me sick that he’s ready to throw that all away for a selfish nobody like you.”

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