Page 86 of Unwrapped

Chole and I cling to each other as he leads us down a large hall and into a room decorated in cream with a huge four-poster bed. He picks up a remote and a fire turns on in the fireplace. A real one. Another button—and a TV screen emerges from inside a wall. He turns it on to Christmas movies.

“Hungry?”

We both nod.

“Pizza, ice cream and popcorn?”

My eyes go wide.

“Is this real?” I squeak.

“I just asked myself that,” Mr. Roque attempts to smile. “I’m the one with two orphan, underage girls in my penthouse.”

“Mr. Roque? Please don’t tell Dare. I don’t want him to worry.”

“I need to.”

“No. You don’t understand. He’s in love. I told him to go on a date tonight. I can’t mess this up for him.”

A small smile curves his lips. If I was grown up and knew what all the fuss was about men and woman…I know I’d probably swoon or something like the woman do in the movies. Roque Salvatore is every girl’s fantasy. Even mine. But not in that way—more of like a father figure way.

“Dare? Is into a woman? This is too good.” He waves a finger in the air.

“He said he really wants to date her or something. And it gets better…” I quickly fill in Roque and Chloe on how Dare has been dressing up as Santa and how the woman he likes doesn’t know it’s really him.

Roque throws back his head and laughs until I think he actually cries. His bodyguards all rush in, confused at the sight. He waves them off and finally controls himself. “Shower or take baths. I’ve sent someone to get new clothes for you both. We’ll eat. Plot and plan.”

“Really?”

“Really,” he grins. “I have a feeling this is going to be a Christmas none of us will ever forget.”

Chloe goes in the bathroom first and I sit on the edge of the huge bed, afraid to even wrinkle the perfect sheets.

I turn my head at the soft knock. Roque enters and brings a stack of boxes over. He opens the top one. My fingers are hesitant as they reach out. But finally, they touch the plush fabric.

“Pajamas. Ballerina’s…. you want to dance?”

I nod. “Dare told you?”

“He did.”

Hot tears fall as I sob. My arms fly out to hug Roque tight. He’s surprised. I can tell by the way he stiffens but finally he awkwardly hugs me back. “It’s okay. You’re safe now, Freddie. Pizza will be here soon. Go get freshened up.”

I nod and he hesitates then leaves.

After Chloe and I shower and put on our new pajamas, we open the door to our room feeling awkward as we peek out.

We link arms and slowly walk forward. Roque’s sitting alone at a huge, sleek black table with the arms of his collared shirt rolled up to his elbows while he chews a piece of pizza.

“Sorry. I couldn’t wait.”

Chloe and I sit, helping ourselves. No one talks as we all pig out. Finally, when I’m stuffed, I glance around his penthouse suit.

“Please tell me you didn’t pay someone to do this?”

“It’s that bad?”

“Hideous.”

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