AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’ll likely lose power, but the generators will kick in when we do. How’s Kensi?”
“Worried the quake caused damage to the chimney and Santa couldn’t come down with the stocking gifts last night.”
“The gifts are already there, but stay in your room until we check for damage.”
“James?”
“Yes, mom.”
“You realize, your father, my brothers, and my sons are all calling me worried at the same time? Gabe’s on the other line.”
“That’s because weareworried. Tell him to hang up. I’m calling him back.”
As I dialed my brother’s number, the power went out. I paced between the window and the table. “It looks like the generators aren’t kicking in, and my phone is running out of juice. I’ll check the maintenance room, and you head to the reserve bunker,” I told him.
“Got it.”
I hung up and dropped my shoulders.
“You have to leave?” Laura hunched over.
“Just to the maintenance room. It won’t take long.”
She chewed at her lip. “Don't billionaires have staff for this?”
I smiled knowingly. “They do, except on Christmas day when everyone wants to spend time with their families.”
Her somber mood lifted as fast as it fell, and she hopped off the table. “I’m going with you, Bond. This could be fun.”
“All I have to do is flick a switch.”
“Excellent!” She clapped and ran to the door, where she slipped on her shoes. “I’d love to watch you flick a switch.” She laughed.
I gave in. “All right. Come on.”
We wound our way down the hallway to the spa, illuminated only by the light streaming from the water hole overhead. Snow had surged over the tiles.
“Watch your step. It’s slippery,” I said.
The sound of running water reverberated through the space. When we reached the maintenance room, a sweet aroma of flowers and mint drifted through before I took out my pocket-sized keyring and opened the door manually.
The lock clicked, and we slipped into the dark room. Laura jumped as the door closed behind us.
“We’re locked out.”
I turned on the flashlight and reassured her with my hand on her arm. “Don’t worry, I’ve got the key. Stay here and touch nothing.”
I squeezed between two rows of shelves to the end of the room before finding the generator switch. A current revved up the engine, and the lights came on.
Across the brightened room, Laura’s face lit up.
“Told you I could flick a switch.”
She immediately went back to the door to open it, but found it locked.
“Hold on,” I told her as I made my way back. I attempted to open the door by twisting the key in the keyhole, but it was stuck.
Laura fidgeted, tapping her foot and looking at me like we were on the brink of a war. “Open the door already!”
