Page 26 of The Santas Who Stole Me

“You do not, we have a loose plan. Everything will be taken care of.”

The guys grunt in agreement.

“You said I’m not a prisoner. I’m going.” Her hands plant on her hips.

“Going to the diner could place you in harm’s way. He could be watching it, so not gonna happen. We have a job anyway. It will be quick, Calum can handle it by himself, but Zeke is adding a cover. You and I will stay here.”

Georgia glares at me hard enough that Calum clears his throat to break the tension.

I don’t mind it. It’s hot as fuck when my little kitten shows her claws.

“I like it when you protect me, Keeper. I like that you watch over everyone and make me feel safe. I know I’m not as strong as I could be. Shit, I sleep with a light on, but I’m trying to find the girl I was before this.”

I sit up straighter because her words hit me in the gut. It’s all I wanted to do since I first saw her, yet she seems pissed about it right now. “But?”

“I need that from you, but I also need to end this thing with Chad, and to do that, I have to get to the diner. I’m sure Marge is worried about me. She probably called the police.”

I should tell her about that call I picked up, but self-preservation has me silent. I don’t want Georgie mad. I want her to be happy with me, safe, in my house, in my bed. As much as I want to believe her words about wanting us, that was sex talk. I don’t trust it yet.

She pauses.

“And?” I urge her to go on.

“And I was tied down with Chad. He took everything and I’m…”

I try not to smile with pride at the tiny woman standing up to three assassins.

“I’m not doing that again. Marge is my friend and I like working at the diner. It’s the closest to the bakery I’ve gotten in a while. I’m going. We can meet up after your job.” Her chin tilts. She is so adorable.

“Keeper, we can take her on the job, then swing by the diner.” Calum casually throws out that sentence.

“Really? I could come? Maybe I can help.”

And my anger at Calum’s half-assed statement switches to amusement. She wants to come.

“No,” Zee adds without emotion or explanation.

“Would you want to, kitten? It will be a close-contact kill, most likely with a knife.” Her face pales for a second, and she pauses, thinking of her answer. I interrupt her thoughts and stop her before she can reply. No fucking way is she doing a job, ever. “I’ll take you to the diner.” We need to determine who sent that text, and my bet is on Marge.

“Okay.” She beams at me, and Calum winks at her, like he knew she would get what she wanted by mentioning taking her on a job. This fucker.

“You guys good without me?”

Zeke nods, and Calum waves his hand, dismissing me.

“Be safe,” Georgie says, her sweet voice making my jealousy subside.

Do I like that she cares about them too? Fuck, what is she doing to me?

Zeke stands and kisses her forehead before turning to me. “I’ll get eyes on the diner now, let me call Lee. Stay with Keeper, Georgia.” His tone is firm, and she hugs him in response before he heads out, phone pressed to his ear.

Calum stands, throwing down his pen and locking his sight on Georgie. He walks into her and keeps walking, shoving her legs backward with each of his slow steps until they are against the oak bookshelf. Her giggle fills the room, and she is practically beaming. He presses her flat against the wood, and those sparkling eyes slam shut the second his mouth is on hers. My heart twists while my brother touches the girl I want everything from.

“Let’s go, we don’t have all day.” The two ignore me as he continues to assault her with his tongue. Calum grinds his body into her hips once more before letting go.

“Bye,” he tells her, ignoring my groan.

With pink cheeks she brushes her hair back before sliding up next to me and taking my hand. The warmth of her touch immediately calms the pissed off beast that was starting to stir inside me, and when she squeezes my hand, my heart beats faster. It’s gotten easy to want her touch, her calming presence. We walk down the hallway, my feet silent against the plush carpet thanks to years of practice.