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"True, but this one's spiked with rum."
"How can you tell the difference?"
I tapped my nose. "I just can."
Upstairs, the bar had been completely transformed. The decoration was subtle, just red and gold globes strategically placed around the room in addition to the two Christmas trees. I was glad I'd changed companies. The one last year had tried to be a bit too modern for my taste. I didn't think Christmas needed to be modernized.
"When is the gang arriving?" Declan asked.
"Twenty minutes, give or take. Let's get you something to drink.”
We stepped up to the bar, and Tom gave us each a mulled wine. Declan and I clinked glasses, and we alternated between sipping our drinks and catching each other up on our lives.
Dom arrived about ten minutes later. Then Tyler, Kendra, Luke, and Megan all came in at the same time a few minutes afterward.
"Declan, we didn't know you'd be here too," Luke said.
"I thought you guys might need some support questioning Dom here," Declan said with a wink.
Dom laughed. "You all take this very seriously."
"Yeah, we do," Tyler said, eyeing Dom intently.
They started shooting question after question at him, some about the company, some about us. Dom was very smooth with his replies. I was so proud of him.
Slowly, the team started to filter in. Some came directly from the office; some of them went home and changed first. The only one who wasn’t able to attend was Sarah, our receptionist, but I'd planned a surprise for her later on. After I gave my speech and worked the room for a bit, I was going to go downstairs and switch with her so she could at least have a glass of mulled wine. The bellhops would take turns coming up to enjoy the festivities.
As more and more people started to arrive, I wondered if I should wait to give my speech; Travis and Kimberly weren’t here yet, and I wanted them to be able to say a few words too.
I tensed when one of our bellhops stepped into the bar. He wouldn't come up just yet unless there was a problem. Sure enough, he made a beeline for me.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"There's a man insisting on seeing you. We don't want to let him up, but he's causing a ruckus in the reception area. The guests are getting uncomfortable."
"Who is it?" I asked, but then it dawned on me. "Malcolm?"
He nodded.
"Fucking hell," Declan exclaimed. “His lawyer must have already informed him of our meeting.”
I drew in a deep breath before turning around to face the group. "I want you all to stay here. I'll just go downstairs and talk to him."
"Like hell you’ll go alone," Dom said. "I'm coming with you."
"No, you're not. I—”
"Oh my God," Kendra gasped. Her eyes were wide.
I turned and saw Malcolm striding toward us.
"Shit, he must have gotten by the guys downstairs," the bellhop said.
“For fuck’s sake, I can’t believe the whole clan is here," Malcolm said sarcastically, zeroing in on Declan.
Dom stepped forward. "Get out of here."
Malcolm ignored him and focused on me instead. "Reese, I need to talk to you.”
