Page 62 of Tainted Hearts

Noah and I have had some alone time, but Noah is so quiet and keeps to himself. I think we need this official date night to open up to each other and really get to know one another. I already know I like him a lot and wouldn’t say no to bonding with him officially, if the moment was right. I think I’m already in love with him too.

Tomorrow Noah plans on taking me somewhere. I’m not sure where exactly, but he told me to pack an overnight bag. The look Luke had given me had me feeling that it was something big, and I was going to like it.

“Come, sit, let’s open gifts,” Frankie urges.

Grinning like crazy, I rush over, and we all sit around the Christmas tree.

For the next hour we all open our gifts, talking and laughing. Zed got my gifts for everyone out of the trunk, and they opened them up too.

“I don’t think he’s coming,” I sigh, leaning back against the couch between Zed’s legs.

He plays with my hair, the feeling so relaxing that I close my eyes. I could fall asleep like this.

“I’m sure he will,” Zed replies, leaning over to give me a Spider-Man style kiss.

“Who is coming?” Luke asks, playing with one of the nutcrackers he got.

“My dad,” I answer, opening my eyes.

“What?!” he drops the nutcracker, eyes filling with fear. “You're telling me the king of Hell is coming here for Christmas?”

“Yes,” I grimace, remembering that I forgot to tell the others, outside of Leo and Zed.

“Oh, man. We’re all going to die on our first Christmas together, aren’t we?” Luke groans.

“Don’t be so dramatic, boy,” a booming voice I recognize sounds, making us all jump. “I know better than to kill my daughter’s mates.”

“Daddy!” I can’t help feeling like a little girl as I jump up and run over to where he appeared behind the couch, almost stepping on Zed’s crotch as I do.

My dad catches me with a chuckle. “Hi, Gale.”

“I hate that name,” I murmur as he gives me the best bone-crushing hug. “But I don’t care, I’m just glad you came.” Happy tears fill my eyes as he puts me down on my feet.

“I told you I’d come.” He grins, wiping away the tears. “So, you want to introduce me to everyone?”

When I turn around, I huff out a laugh. Everyone is standing at attention like my dad is some kind of drill sergeant, all with different levels of fear in their eyes.

“You already know Leo and Frankie,” I say. “This is Libby, Zed’s little sister.”

“Hello, Sir.” Libby nods, not making eye contact.

“Nice to meet you, Libby,” my dad says in a soft voice, making Libby look up. She gives him a small smile.

“This is Zed.”

“Hello, Sir.” Zed steps forward, holding out his hand.

“Yes, Zed. The dark angel who has mated with my daughter.” My dad glares at him before cracking a smile. “Your drill sergeant attitude and obsessive need to love and care for my daughter wins you points in my book.”

“Your daughter is my world. I’d die for her.”

And there goes the tears again. Ugh, I love that man.

“As you should.” My dad nods.

“This is Luke and Noah.”

Luke looks about three seconds away from pissing his pants, his cocky confidence long gone. Noah has caution in his eyes, but he’s doing a good job at keeping his cool without coming off like he doesn’t care.

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