Page 46 of Christmas with Four Tattoo Artists

I just had to hope that we were strong enough to weather whatever storms lay ahead. Because I knew, without a doubt, that I wasn't ready to let go of what we'd found together.

Chapter 19

Julia

Montana was a winter fairytale when we arrived on Christmas Eve. The second I stepped out of the car and took in the breathtaking view of the mountains blanketed in snow, a shiver of delight raced through me, and it wasn't from the cold. I'd never been one for overly sentimental musings, but there was something about the pristine landscape that tugged at the strings of my heart. Maybe it was the way the fresh snow sparkled in the soft glow of the setting sun or the towering evergreens draped in their frosty blankets. Or maybe it was the guys, each wearing a grin that made my insides flutter, making it all seem like a dream.

The cabin Kai rented was nothing short of gorgeous—a luxurious blend of rustic charm and modern comfort, two stories and six bedrooms, with plenty of room for all of us to stretch out and get comfy. The warm ambiance of the wooden interior, the crackling fireplace, the cozy armchairs and sofas adorned with plush cushions—it was everything I'd ever wanted in a winter getaway.

I watched as Andrew unpacked a collection of tacky Christmas sweaters, each more absurd than the last. From reindeer to snowmen, adorned with bells, ribbons, and all the festive trimmings you could imagine. The guys chuckled as I held one up, my eyebrows raised in mock indignation.

"Youcannotbe serious!" I exclaimed, my voice dripping with feigned disbelief.

"Oh, we're dead serious," Kai’s eyes twinkled with mischief. "It's not Christmas without a little tackiness."

Christmas Eve had a special kind of magic all its own. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the snowy landscape, the anticipation in the cabin grew of what was yet to come. The guys had gone all out to make it an evening to remember, and I couldn't help but feel like a giddy kid as they laid out their plans.

Finn and Kai were in charge of the Christmas feast. The twins went right to work marinating a prime rib, the guys talking nonstop about how tender and succulent it’d be, the meat infused with a blend of herbs and spices, the recipe having been handed down from Jack himself.

Andrew and James had taken on the roles of chief decorators, transforming the cabin's living room into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, evergreen garland, and a majestic Christmas tree that reached the ceiling. They’d even found a place in town that rented ice skates and planned a late-night skating session on a nearby frozen pond. The idea of gliding across the ice, hand in hand under a starlit sky, made my heart skip a beat.

We settled in, the guys doing all the work of unpacking and prepping the cabin for the days ahead. The sky darkened with snow-laden clouds, and as much as I wanted to help, the boys insisted that I relax and enjoy a cup of spiked hot chocolate on the heated second-floor balcony. The view up there was endless and sweeping, the clouds roiling over the mountains in the distance, the valley in front of the cabin blanketed with frosted trees.

Christmas Eve dinner was a feast fit for royalty. The clinking of silverware against plates mingled with the soft murmur of laughter and conversation filled the room as we settled into our meal. The prime rib roast was, as the twins had promised, a culinary masterpiece, succulent and rich, paired perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, and a bold red wine. The mood was light, filled with the joy of the holiday season.

And then there was the eggnog. Rich, creamy, and spiked with just the right amount of rum. I could feel the warmth of it spreading through me, loosening the knot of tension that had lingered since Adele's return to the studio and the unpleasantness of the Klaus situation.

As we sat around the table, laughing and toasting to new beginnings, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude. The guys had given me something special, something I'd never dared hoped for. A Christmas surrounded by love, laughter, and the sense of belonging that I'd been searching for all my life.

But even in that picture-perfect moment, with the glow of the Christmas tree lights reflecting in their adoring eyes, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss. It was a thought I pushed aside, determined to enjoy the winter fairytale they had created for me. After all, Christmas was a time for joy, not worry, and I had every intention of embracing it to the fullest.

It was James who first brought up the subject of the tattoo studio, his expression turning dark as he did.

"I've got some guys back in town keeping an eye on things," he said, slicing into his roast with a determined look in his eyes. "No signs of the Crimson Devils snooping around since that night. I think they got the message."

"Yeah, well, they better have," Andrew chimed in, his tone serious but his eyes twinkling. "No one messes with our family."

Kai reached across the table to squeeze my hand.

"Hey, don't look so grim," he said, smiling warmly. "We've got this under control."

Finn nodded, his mouth full of food as he gestured with his fork. "Kai's right. We're not letting anyone push us around. The studio is our home, our legacy."

"Are you sure you don't need to, you know, call in some favors?" I asked, concern creeping into my voice. "I mean, from your relatives?"

Kai shook his head, still holding my hand. "No. Like James said, we don't want to go down that road. We want to handle this the right way, legally and without any shady dealings."

"But what if it's not enough?" I pressed, my heart aching at the thought of losing something that had become so precious to all of us.

James spoke next. "It will be enough," he assured me, his eyes meeting mine with a fierce determination. "We're strong, and we're united. There's nothing we can't handle together."

"Yeah," Andrew added, his voice softening. "We've got each other's backs, and that's all that matters."

Finn grinned. “Let’s talk about something more pleasant, shall we?”

“Sounds like you guys are already thinking about the night ahead,” I said with a grin.

“You bet your gorgeous ass we are,” Andrew replied.

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