Page 24 of Unwrapped

“Merry Christmas you old bastard,” I grin.

Rog’s laughter booms across the bar as he leads me over to a stool. He pours us both three fingers of his finest whiskey. Blinking strands of muli-colored lights hang above our heads. Heat from a new pellet burning stove tucked in the corner fills the room. The smell of pine and whiskey is in the air. I turn my head noticing the fresh garland running along the long bank of windows.

“Jesus Rog. You’ve turned Sassy’s into Santa’s friggin’ workshop?”

He chuckles. “Not me. My woman and her best friend. Those two were unstoppable. Just wait until tomorrow. They planned some tree lighting shit by town hall.”

“Christ,” I shudder.

His blue eyes twinkle. “Hang on just a sec,” He disappears down the hall to his back off ice and returns a few minutes later carrying a large box which he drops at my feet.

“What the fuck?” I mutter peering inside.

“Ho, ho, ho.”

“Hell, no.”

“It doesn’t fit me and the kids are expecting to see the jolly fat man in his suit giving out cookies.”

My hand lowers to my stomach. “I have abs of steel old man. They’d never buy it.”

“Well that’s why I have this.” He pulls out a freaky looking strap on stomach.

“What the fuck is that?”

“One of the club girls faked a pregnancy trying to trap a brotha. She wore this shit under her clothes.”

“That’s some serious fucked-up shit.”

“We handled it. She ain’t allowed back in Springdale. We banished her skank ass. Here.”

“Fuck no,” I get off my barstool holding up my hands to ward him off. “I didn’t come home for this. I hate Christmas.”

“I know you do. But this isn’t about you. It’s about the kids who still need to believe in Christmas… to believe someone gives a shit.”

Freddie and Jenny’s faces flash in my head.

Fuck.

“Not one word.” My hand shakes as I pick up the red coat lined with white trim. “Not one fucking word, “I glare at the men trying to hide their smirks behind their drinks, “or I’ll beat the living shit out of you. You all know who I am…I won’t hesitate to lay any of you fuckers out if word gets out it was me. Are we clear?” I pin my gaze on every damn man in the place.

“Crystal.”

My head whips around at the girl causally leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Her long chestnut hair curls at the end. Her jeans are tight as fuck and her breasts are high.

“Damn beautiful. Where did you fall from? Heaven?”

She rolls her eyes at the same time Rog growls from behind me. And I know by the anger rolling off him as I walk closer to his woman, Devon. I haven’t seen her in a while and she’s looking fine as fuck.

I take her hand in mine and kiss both her cheeks.

“You can let go of her hand now.”

She smiles devilishly, holding mine tighter. “Come on Santa, we need to discuss your duties for tomorrow.” She leads me over to a secluded table by the window and I just happen to notice a ball of mistletoe over the closest door. She gasps as I whirl her over and wink at Rog over her shoulder.

His growl is low and ominous as he reads my intent. But fuck it. If I’m going to wear that suit in public a little payback’s in order.

Her eyes fly wide and she giggles. “He’s going to kill you for this.”

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