Page 3 of Violet: A Monster-ly Undercover Christmas

“I borrowed the equipment for the day,” Cash says, like people loan out thousands of dollars worth of equipment every day. I guess if you’re Colin Stanton-Howe, the creator of Screech, they really do.

I grin. “We should take a Christmas photo of the four of us while we have this stuff.”

Liam nods. “Soon as we’ve done the practice run. You sure you know how to use all the equipment, gorgeous?”

I nod. “Perk of being a librarian. I read a book on photography and it taught me everything I know. I’m like a pro now.”

All three men gape at me.

I snort. “I’m kidding, guys. College photography course, remember? And I’m definitely not a pro, but I can act. I spent a year pretending to be eighty years old, didn’t I?”

They all nod in agreement.

“Good. Now strip.”

All three men gape at me again.

“You said practice run, Liam,” I remind my troll. “So take off your clothes.”

He glances down at his police uniform and shakes his head. “I’ll just observe this time. Nole or Cash can have a go.”

Nole glances at the hair peeking out from beneath his Christmas sweater. “I’m out.”

Cash nods. “I’m meeting some investors later… assuming we don’t get snowed in. But it’s our chance to get funding before Christmas, so I can’t risk wrinkling this suit.” He grabs a Santa’s hat from the basket and props it on his head. “I wouldn’t mind a new profile picture, though.”

“Fine.” I cross my tattooed arms in front of my green leather-clad chest. “I guess I’ll just have to go down to the studio early and photograph some other naked man. Hey, maybe I could borrow one of my sister’s mates.”

I’m only kidding. There’s no way I want to see any of Amber’s guys naked. It’s bad enough that I walked in on them having sex once. I cringe. Don’t think I’ll ever be able to wash that image out of my brain, though not for lack of trying. And since meeting my mates, I haven’t been interested in any other men—but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t keep my guys on their toes.

Predictably, all three of them turn on me in outrage, and I have to try hard not to laugh.

Liam’s eyes turn red with trollish outrage. “Like hell you will.”

Nole growls, every inch the bear. “No fucking way, Vi.”

But Cash’s lip quirks up. “Well done, little furry. You win this round.”

I grin. “Less talking, more stripping.”

Nole glances down at his sweater self-consciously. “One of you guys go first.”

“I say just get it over with.” Cash throws his phone on the couch and loosens his tie.

“I say wait it out,” Nole argues. “I bet once Vi gets turned on, she won’t be able to hold her shifted form long enough for me to have a go.”

“I can hear you.” I scowl at him. “And as long as you don’t touch me, the form will hold.”

Nole reaches for his zipper and hesitates.

“Nole, I find you attractive, no matter how you look. Hair or no hair. You know that, right?”

His chest puffs out a little, and I know my words have the desired effect when he grumbles again and pulls off his sweater.

Cash takes off his tie and places it neatly on the couch.

Liam removes his duty belt and drops it to the ground. He starts to unbutton his shirt next, and I realize…This is happening! Three mate strip show!

Chapter 3

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