Page 39 of The Alien Who Saved Christmas
“We do, but they’re more like roulette and less like a garage sale.” Sadie waved it aside. “So, fine. Sure. This is a casino. Doesn’t matter. The point is: Elf has his guard down. That’s good for us. We can get close to him.”
Xane grunted. He wasn’t doing much to appear subservient or slave-like. His blue eyes were restlessly scanning everyone who went past their alley. He remained convinced that someone would spring from the shadows and try to steal her away.
“Are you listening to me?” She demanded.
“Unfortunately.” He spared her a sideways look. “You are not going to get close to Elf.Iwill get close to Elf and kill him.”
“No killing anyone, unless we have to.”
“We have to.” He said with utter certainty.
She flashed him an exasperated look. “You know, you’re really big and scary looking.”
He seemed pleased with that analysis. “Yes. Gratitude for noticing.”
“I mean, how exactly do you think you’re going to get close enough to kill him? He’s going to be on guard the minute you show up, Xane. You’re not a stealthy guy. If I were the one to go over there, he wouldn’t be threatened.”
“Because he would have nothing to fear. You are physically incapable of harming him.”
“And you are physically incapable of getting close to him!”
He scowled at her.
She scowled back. “We’re going to need some teamwork here.”
“Rtaharions donotwork on teams.”
“Learn.”
His huge chest expanded, like he was taking a deep, calming breath. “How exactly would you recommend our ‘team’ function? You wish me to provide some strategic dancing, while you battle Elf with another singing display?”
She rose above the sarcasm. “Irecommendwe do something a little bit nefarious.”
Xane considered that idea with more interest. “How ‘little bit’ would this nefarious be? Becausemorenefarious is better.”
“Did you ever shoplift as a kid?”
“The word ‘shoplift’ does not translate for me.”
“Steal merchandise from stores, for thrills and free stuff?”
“As boys, my brother and I used to take blood bladders from the local vendor.”
“I’m not going to ask what you wanted ‘blood bladders’ for, because I’m afraid of the answer.” Sadie chewed on her lower lip, plotting. “When my friend Cam and I used to… uh…liberatesmutty paperbacks from Target, back in eighth grade, one of us would create a distraction and then the other would grab the goods. So, I’m thinking you and I could try something similar.”
“And I would be the distraction in this scenario?”
“I was the distraction last time. It’s your turn. Besides, I have a feeling you’re going to be a natural at it. Just be louder and more obnoxious than usual.” She gave a playful pause. “…If that’s even possible.”
He slanted a menacing look in her direction.
Sadie snickered.
If she didn’t know better, she would’ve sworn his lips curved in response to her teasing. “Ripping one or two of Elf’s heads off sounds far easier.”
“We’re going to try my plan first. Actually, it’s George Clooney’s plan.”
Another big alien scowl was sent her way. “Is that a human male?”
