Page 129 of Kept

“That’s because you were carrying a whole other person in hair form,” he says. “I think we’ve got enough there for ten wigs, truthfully.”

I run my hands through my new haircut, and a laugh escapes me when it slips out of my hand. They’re all staring at me when I turn around.

“I like it,” I assure them. “It needed to be gone.”

It feels like I’ve shed something heavier than just my hair. As though I’ve taken control over my own body.

“I’m actually looking forward to washing my hair,” I say with wonder. “I always hated it before. It took so long.”

“No time like the present,” Ryder says promptly. “I’m in need of a shower myself.” I let out a shocked noise as he lifts me, his arms gentle. Maverick’s voice rings out, chastising Ryder as he follows us to the bathroom with Enzo following.

It doesn’t feel quite normal, but something close.

And that’s enough.

52 - Ryder

Ibounceupanddown in my chair. “That one’s mine!” I shout, and Enzo holds up the sock-wrapped gift gingerly.

“I wonder what this could be?” he drawls, pulling out the coal. I cackle as he throws it at me, black dust trailing everywhere. Zella yelps as she bats it away, and Maverick steadies her where she sits on his lap.

“Stop,” she protests, but she’s laughing. “You’re mean, Ryder.”

I wink at her, reaching behind me and producing a haphazardly wrapped box. “Am I, though?”

She squeals, giving me grabby hands as she looks at the box with covetous eyes. I stifle my laugh as I hand it over and she rips it apart with zero unwrapping finesse, cooing over the vibrant scarf. “I love it!”

“Of course you do.” Enzo rolls his eyes but I can see the smile tugging at his lips. “It looks like a unicorn vomited glitter on it.”

“It’s beautiful,” she protests, wrapping the neon pink and purple glitter scarf around her neck.

“It really goes with your socks,” I say smoothly, trying not to laugh, and she beams at me. The bumblebee socks stretch up to her knees, and she smooths down the lime green elf dress I bought as a joke… but that seems to have actually made its way into her day-to-day wardrobe.

“And this is for you, jolly old saint prick.” I throw another box directly at Enzo’s head, but the fucker plucks it out of the air without even raising an eyebrow. He flips it open, and I have a moment of pure satisfaction as his eyes widen. He pulls out the silver dagger, perfectly balancing it on the end of his finger and giving me a begrudging nod that’s practically on par with a hug.

I mean, what else do you buy a serial killer for Christmas?

Maverick watches us all, his eyes half-closed, and I toss his gift over, smirking when Zella ducks and it hits him in the face. “For you, old man.”

He gingerly unwraps it, his eyes scanning the words before he groans. “For fucks’ sake.”

“Hold it up,” I urge happily. “So everyone can see it.”

Zella twists, eyeing the text and sucking on her cheek as she flicks her eyes to the ceiling. I can see her shoulders shaking as Maverick holds up the apron.

“Daddy Mav?” he says drily. “Really?”

“I think it suits you,” Zella says seriously, and I hold in the laugh as Maverick winces.

“Thank you,” he says evenly, kissing her cheek. He whispers something in her ear, and she flushes.

“I love Christmas,” she says dreamily. When Maverick stands, cradling Zella, I frown.

“Where are you going?”

“If you want your present,” he calls back, “you’d better hurry up.”

“Well, you should’ve said,” I mutter. I jump up and follow, and Enzo loiters behind me as Maverick pulls open the door to the spare room.

---