Page 29 of Painfully Merry

Chaos takes a step backward. “To take Toto outside she needs to pee,” he said, sounding suspicious.

I watch him back away out the office door, yelling for the dog. I love that man, but sometimes.

“Should I be worried?” Sabrina asks.

“Nah, I’m sure he’s taking Honey outside and I can guarantee he’s checking his kit over.” I jam my hands in my pockets, turning to the window. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“To get back at Kevin? Yes Parker, but I’m not sure what Chaos has planned. Should I be worried?”

“Chaos will get the answers you want. I wouldn’t be worried, but I wouldn’t want to be around when he does his handy work. I’ve only heard it on the phone, and it’s not good. Chaos becomes another person when he’s working, and I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

She swings her chair around and leans back. “Are you worried about me, Parker? I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl. I think I can handle a little bit of blood.”

“Is that so?” I move toward her, our eyes boring into each other. Resting my hands on each armrest, I block her into the seat. “Tell me, what do you want, Black?”

“Can I have anything I want?”

“Within reason, I suppose.”

She leans up, lips brushing against mine. “Can I have both of you?”

“Together?”

“Sorta, not at the same time. Not at first that is, unless you want to. Oh, I don’t know what I want to be honest. I’m rambling.”

I cup her cheek, smiling down at her. “Stop, it’s fine. It’s nice that you know what you want. But we need to check in with Chaos to ensure he wants it, too. I don’t mind giving what you want, but I’m not competing.”

“All right. But I’m not going outside. The neighbours will be out there and probably want to know what the hell is going on.”

“If the van is the concern, it’s parked down the street.”

“Oh, perfect. Someone is bound to call the cops soon.”

She tries to get up, but I push her back down. “Zip it, woman. We’re leaving tomorrow. Did you forget?”

“We’re taking a murder van to the richest part of downtown Toronto. Are you kidding me? No, that isn’t happening. We’ll take my car at least this way, you’ll fit in, and it won’t look so suspicious.”

Murder van. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it be called that before, and is it really a murder van when Chaos does the murders outside of the van? I’m getting in too deep with the thoughts. I still don’t know why she wants to be involved with us. It must be Christmas magic. Oh my God, I sound like Chaos.

“Sabrina, get your ass into the living room. Once Chaos is done, we will discuss this.”

“You would be wise to remember that you are not the boss of me. This is my company and my house, Parker.”

I bit back a laugh. “Oh, sweet Sabrina. I will be the boss of you, before the night is through. Get in the fucking living room now.” I back away, leaving enough room for her to brush past me. With a small huff, she gets up.

“This isn’t finished yet.”

Oh, I hope not. I have plans for you.

14

Sabrina

I think I’ve lost my mind. It has to be with everything going on. I can’t keep track of what’s what anymore. It’s still hard to believe that the guys have only been in my house since yesterday. It feels like a week. It’s ridiculous that I didn’t want anything to do with either of them and now, I’m not sure what I want.

Chaos has been outside for an hour now, and I’m worried. What if a neighbour has spotted him? He stands out in this area. One look from Ms. Thompson, and he’s busted. Nosey Nancy can’t keep to herself and has taken it upon herself to think she’s the neighbourhood watch. She knows almost everything that goes on here, and I’m somewhat surprised that the cops haven’t come knocking on Mr. Murphy’s door by now.

“Parker? Where’s my phone?” I fix my Nutcracker, which Chaos is so obsessed with.

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