“Penny, can you carry my bag?” Owen lifted it slightly, clearly struggling with the weight of it.
“Okay, but it’ll cost you.” Penn took the sack and flung it over his shoulder.
“What will it cost me?”
“Pfft. Candy, of course.”
Owen chuckled. “Okay, Penny.”
“Oh, check out that house!” Olivia pointed to the lit-up house that wasNightmare Before Christmasthemed.
“My feet hurt,” Owen grumbled.
“How about I go up to the house with Livy? I’ll take your bag with me and get candy. You stay here with your dad.”
Owen smiled. “Okay.” Owen reached up and took my hand.
I watched as Olivia and Penn climbed up the hill, my daughter talking a mile a minute, her butterfly wings sparkling under the decorative lights.
“Did you have fun, Spiderman?” I glanced at my son, who beamed.
“Yeah, it was a lot of fun.”
“What was your favorite?—”
My words were cut off when two men in suits approached; neither of them worked for me. I tugged Owen behind me. I was sure that Danny and Toni would join me shortly—they were following in an SUV as Penn and I went door to door with the kids.
“Can I help you?”
“Mr. Calvern would like to talk to you,” the man on the left said. He was tall, muscular, and bald.
“That’s nice, I’m busy.”
“It’s not a suggestion.” The other guy stepped forward.
I chuckled darkly. “You approach me while I’m with my children, and you think I’m gonna just let that slide? Let me make something very clear. I’m not coming with you. Calvern can go fuck himself, and if you two don’t piss off in the next two seconds, I’ll make sure you have to eat food through a straw for the rest of your lives.”
The two men side-eyed each other. I wasn’t a man who made false threats, and I was sure they knew that.
“We have our instructions. We’re to deliver you to him.” Baldy glanced at the children around him. “It’s best if you don’t make a scene.”
Okay, maybe these two are idiots and have no idea who they are dealing with. “Get the fuck out of my face.”
“What’s going on?” Penn stepped beside me.
“None of your business,” the other shitbag said.
“If it has to do with me, it is his business,” I hissed.
“You’re gonna be difficult, then.” The bald guy sighed. “Fine.”
I snorted. “You should have left the minute you had the chance.” I jerked my chin forward, and the two guys looked behind them to where Danny and Toni stood.
“Get in your car, drive away, and tell your boss to eat all the shit and die.” I grinned, and with Owen holding my hand and Livy with Penn, I walked away knowing Danny and Toni would make sure we were safe.
“Did he really think you’d just go?” Penn huffed.
“Who knows? Let’s just get the twins home.” I glanced at Owen. “You okay?”
