Page 24 of Christmas Mafia Prince
He’s going off-script, which in his drunken state is a little disconcerting, but nothing too wild just yet, so I hope to keep a lid on it.
“He was intent on finishing it during one long session, so he was way too weak to return home by himself once that was done. I ended up carrying him, and then staying over, because I was worried he might be unwell.”
“Wow, aren’t you a fucking knight in shining armor,” my brother snarks, revealing his teeth as his upper lip twitches in an expression of impotent anger. “Doesn’t sound like you at all, Damen.”
Kill sits straighter, though he lolls a bit from side to side. I might need to cut him off the booze tomorrow, because it won’t help anymore tonight.
“Oh, but it’sexactlylike him. Fuck. This one time a guy attacked me in a back alley, and he…” Kill must be assessing if he should mention murder at this family gathering, “fought offthe guy so proficiently! And then the next day, he took me to a shooting range, and taught me how to use a gun.”
Titus shakes his head. “I hope you don’t think you’ll be taking part in the hunt.”
Killian groans. “Not this fucking hunt again…”
“Yes,the hunt!” Titus insists, because of course that’s what he cares about most. For years now, he’s been the one to finish with the most trophies, but even he knows his reign will be over the moment I join the competition. Titus looks at our father. “Does this marriage even count if it wasn’t approved by the family?”
“Fuck. You,” I say, pointing straight at him.
Father leans back in his armchair, his jaw muscles working overtime as he chews through all the shit I’ve dumped on his plate. “Only Van der Horns can participate.”
“Then everything is clear, because Killianisa Van der Horn now,” I say and grab Kill’s hand under the table.
He looks at me as if I’ve single-handedly saved Christmas.
“This lightweight?” Titus points to Kill. “You have to be joking—”
Bree butts in. “Leave it, honey. It doesn’t matter. You know you’ll get the most trophies anyway.”
I don’t know if it’s supposed to help Titus’s ego or act as a silent challenge, but it’s not my relationship, so I don’t care. But I do imagine Titus losing to me at the hunt and having to sleep on the sofa for a week because his wife can’t stand the sight of a loser.
Serves him right.
Kill frowns. “I never did shoot a gun before.”
Samantha raises her brows. “Didn’t you just say Damen took you to a shooting range?”
Fuck. Kill is too drunk for this.
“He just watched that time, but we have over a week until Christmas,” I say quickly.
Kill bites his lips. “Ah, yes. I watched. Damen is such a good shot.”
“That’s what love is all about. Appreciating one another,” I say and lean in for a kiss. Kill tastes of booze, and I can sense him trying to dive in with his tongue, but I think I’d rather wait with that, especially as the whisky is hitting him with increasing force. “My cheerleader.”
“Hear that, Karl?” Mother says with raised eyebrows. “I’ll drink to that.”
Kill leans in to whisper. “Where is the bathroom?”
This is a good excuse to take him to bed. We’ve had enough excitement for tonight, and the rest of the family can stew in their confusion. I bet Bree has already been texting my sister throughout this nuclear explosion of a dinner. At which I didn’t even eat, but that’s fine.
“I think we’re both very tired,” I say, rising from my seat. “We’ll see you all at breakfast.”
Kill’s soft gaze captures mine, and he grabs my arm, using it to pull himself to his feet. He’s cute that way.
“Goodnight.” Samantha gives a little wave, and I hold her gaze, because anyone would be happy to have a woman like her at their side. Maybe Uncle Roger could introduce her to one of my single cousins? They’ll be arriving in droves tomorrow.
While Kill’s walk is wobbly, he manages not to trip all the way to the corridor where I catch him.
He waves it off. “It’s fine, I’m fine,” he says, but I pick him up regardless. He’s nottiny, but definitely on the compact side, so I don’t struggle, especially as he’s not unconscious and holds on to me. “No! I can walk!” he argues, but still laughs and doesn’t fight me.
