Page 18 of Christmas Mafia Prince
Killian shakes his head. “That is really hot. Anything youcan’tdo?”
I’ve not been able to tell my parents I’m bringing a man over for Christmas, but even that will soon change.
Chapter 7
Killian
Ikeepstaringatthe chunky ring on my finger. I’m still shell-shocked about its price and the fact that I’ll be allowed to keep it. I’ve been snatched out of my old life as if I secretly have a pedigree when I’m really the runt of a stray’s litter.
The incredible piece of jewelry stands for a lie Damen intends to throw into his family’s face, but whenever I look at it andremember he was the one to put it there, I’m overcome by a sense of belonging that feels foreign yet is so very welcome.
He did spank me as if I were a misbehaving child earlier, but I can’t begrudge him or mind the bruises surely forming on my ass. The men I’ve previously been with would get violent, dismissive, or hurtful whenever I broke unspoken rules they had for their partners, but Damen isn’t like that. He remained calm throughout the punishment, and now that it’s over, he’s happy to offer me another chance at his side. All is forgiven. Not only is he not holding a grudge, but he’s even showered me with expensive gifts.
This isn’t love-bombing. It’s a nuclear-level threat, and I’m powerless against it, so I might as well close my eyes and let it radiate through me.
I’ve never been in a helicopter, so it’s another exhilarating new thing Damen has introduced me to. I don’t see much in the darkness below, but we must be reaching our destination as I spot a large building with lights glowing in many windows. Just like Damen said, it’s the only one we’ve seen after flying over swaths of snow-covered forest.
It’s so hot that he’s the one flying us here too. My exes could claim being proficient at breaking into people’s homes, fighting, or finding drug dealers in any new area, and here Damen is, landing us on an illuminated helipad with the same ease most people park their cars.
I have upgraded.
“If you want, I can show you the area during the day. It’s really beautiful out here,” Damen tells me after the helicopter sets down.
I smile at him so widely I worry I might look like the Joker. “I want to seeeverything. Will I get to ski? I’ve never done that.”
I take off my headphones with his help, and he even tightens the scarf around my neck as if I could catch a chill on the way from the helicopter to the house big enough to be a hotel.
“Of course. I enjoy cross-country skiing a lot.”
He gets out first, then reaches his hand out for me, helping me step out of the helicopter as if I’m a princess needing assistance to leave a horse-drawn carriage.
I’m officially living a fairytale.
I’m about to kiss Damen when a tall figure appears out of the darkness.
“You’re late,” the man says in a curt voice, and when he steps into the glow of the lights mounted around the pad, I take in his handsome features. There’s silver threaded through his tidy beard, but each step he takes is filled with youthful energy. He’s wearing an elegant winter coat, similar to the ones I’ve seen in the luxury stores today.
Damen turns toward the stranger. “Titus. You’ve been waiting for me since Mom’s call?”
“Of course I’ve not been standing here for an hour. It’s snowing. But I came out to tell you in person how you won’t get away with bad behavior this year. Mom’s been— Who’s that?”
His dark gaze zeroes in on me as if I’m a roach he needs to step on. The massive house behind Titus somehow makes him look more imposing despite him being of average height.
Damen glances my way, then back at Titus, who I assume must be his brother, as if the question was unreasonable. “This is my husband, Killian.”
Titus cocks his head, staring at us as if his brain was going through a blue screen of death moment. He’s back with a twitch of his shoulders. “Very funny. I—”
“I’m not joking,” Damen says, and the weight of his arm on my shoulders feels like a woolen coat to keep me warm in all this snow.
“No. This is unacceptable. You’ve really reached the limit with this shit! Father will never allow it.” He steps closer as if to bar us from entry like a Christmas bouncer. “I know what this farce is about. You think this is your ticket to the hunt. That you’ll get more trophies than me.”
Damen laughs. “Obviously, I will. I’m a way better shot and tracker than you. You’ll be lucky if you get in one kill this year.” Titus chokes, expanding like a blowfish, but Damen doesn’t let him cut in and grabs my hand, showing him the huge ring I’m wearing, and the matching wedding band. “And I’m dead serious. It’s the twenty-first century, and I’m done pretending I’m something I’m not just so you aren’t uncomfortable. The rock on this one might even be bigger than Bree’s. What do you think?”
I stay silent, a kind little mouse who might have green fur, but willnotfuck this up. I’m more than happy to see Damen tease his brother though. Based on what he’s told me about his family, they deserve it.
“Ithinkyou’re out of your mind. You think we didn’t know what you were sometimes up to? But it’s time to grow up and think about family, not bring home…” He points at me from head to toe. “This. For shock value.”
Okay, maybe I can’t stay silent after all. I scowl at Titus. “And fuck you too.”
