Page 23 of Stalked By Santa

“She was telling the truth, wasn’t she?” Maddie asks, voice sad.

“Technically, yes.” I sigh. “But if it was the bitch I think it was, she likely twisted it to manipulate you into doing exactly what you did do.”

“Careful who you call a bitch,” Merryn says, stepping off the elevator. “I don’t have to tell you about the Mrs. Clause.”

FIFTEEN

MADELYN

Cursing,Nick tugs my dress down. Pulling up his pants, he jumps to his feet. I stand more slowly, the elf’s words mocking me. Barry cheating on me was humiliating, but discovering that there’s already a Mrs. Claus shakes the foundations of everything I’ve ever believed in.

“Mrs. Claus? You’re alreadymarried?”

“No, I’m not fucking—”

“Chill,” the elf says, cutting him off. “I said the Mrs.Clausewith an ‘e,’ you foolish girl.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Merryn?” Nick snaps.

The elf—Merryn—perches on the edge of a chair and gestures for us to sit on the sofa. With Nick still looking mad enough to strangle her, I take his hand and tug him toward the couch.

“Come on. We should at least hear what she has to say,” I tell him, not relinquishing my hold on his hand.

Nick doesn’t reply, but he squeezes my hand, giving me hope that he’ll at least hear the elf out.

Merryn rolls her eyes. “If Nicky boy had bothered to fully read the Christmas Contract before signing his soul away to the syndicate, he’d already know.”

“Knowwhat, pray tell?” Nick asks through clenched teeth.

“The syndicate was testing you, moron. Well, okay, technically we were testingher. And she passed with flying colors. Your girl is the real deal.”

I look at Nick. “Do you have any clue what she’s talking about?”

“Not in the slightest. Explain, elf.”

“If I didn’t already know how completely insane you are when it comes to this woman, I’d rip you a new one for talking to me like that.” Merryn shakes her head. “The Christmas Contract doesn’t actually state that Santas can’t fall in love—only that they can’t fall for a woman who fails to meet the requirements outlined in the Mrs. Clause, which was added after several Santas chose highlyunsuitablewives. It keeps the Christmas magic balanced. Pure.”

A light of understanding flashes in Nick’s eyes, but I’m still totally lost. “What do you mean by that?”

“When Nick became a Santa, he gained access to powerful magic. Old magic that’s intimately intertwined with his emotions. While a certain degree of ambition, brutality, and ruthlessness is required to be an effective Santa, a Mrs. Claus who shared those traits would be an unmitigated disaster. The syndicate can’t risk a Santa succumbing to an obsession with anyone who would twist that to her advantage. Needless to say, very few are born these days with the purity of heart to meet the clause’s requirements.”

“In short, angel, Merryn just confirmed what I already knew. You’re fucking perfect.”

“Wait.” I hold up a hand. “You mean wecanget married? We can be together without you losing your job?”

“Man, Nick, you really did find an innocent, didn’t you?” The elf looks at me appraisingly, as if I’m some rare animal she’d heard rumors of but didn’t believe existed. “And you clearly haven’t explained to her how the syndicate operates. Bold choice.”

“I haven’t had a chance,” he replies, tone defensive.

“Nothing he could say could make me love him any less,” I protest.

“Well, that’s a relief.” Merryn winks. “Because, yes, you can marry with the syndicate’s full blessing. But if you decidenotto marry the big oaf, well… let’s just say the syndicate would be forced to silence you. Permanently.”

And with that ominous statement, she disappears. Staring down at our entwined fingers, I mentally replay her words, which sounded an awful lot like a threat…

As if he’s read my mind, Nick pulls me into his lap. Wrapping his arms around me, he buries his face in my hair. Sighing, I allow myself to melt into him, grateful for the comfort.

But her words still nag at me, so after a moment I finally ask, “Do you think she meant that?”

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