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“I don’t think stealing charity money is going to be the win you think it is, Mayor.”
“You wouldn’t be keeping it. After you took it, you could plant it at Mayor Grable’s house, then take some incriminating photos. I can tell you theWinter Heights Gazettewould be more than happy to break that story of town embezzlement wide open, and there’s no way the Spirit of the Season committee could ignore it.”
I glance at Liza’s house. She’s home now, her front curtains lit from the TV inside. Double the money is a lot. More than enough for me to spirit her off to an island paradise for a month to keep her away from this dirty business. Her mother’s a grown woman who can handle herself. Liza doesn’t need to be involved.
I’m fully aware that I’m lying to myself. This scandal would ruin Liza’s mother and hurt Liza in the process. I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Well?” he asks.
“Can’t do it.”
“What? Why not?”
“Double isn’t enough for that sort of heat. You want me to steal charity money and frame the mayor.” I wait, wondering when he’s going to slam his cell phone on his desk and end the call.
He sighs.
I keep waiting.
“Triple,” he bites out.
Holy shit. This is real money. I can only imagine he’s pulling it from the city’s coffers, because there’s no way he’s got that sort of cash on hand.
I glance at Liza’s house again.Triple.
“Take it or leave it, but I won’t be making this offer again,” Mayor McGovern says.
Maybe there’s a way for me to get the money and keep Liza out of the mess. The island idea is promising, but surely I can figure out a way to protect her while also doing this one last bit of dirty work.
“Done.” The word’s out of my mouth before I can stop it.
“Good. I expect those photos the day after the auction. I’ll be waiting.” He ends the call.
I stand and run a hand through my hair. “Fuck.”
Something rubs against my leg. I look down to find Krampus weaving between my ankles. “What the …” When I look up, I find Liza’s front door ajar. “Come on, big guy.” I scoop him up and carry him to her porch.
Pushing the door open, I see Liza asleep on the couch, the TV set to a Christmas movie.
This is unacceptable. Liza left her door unlocked–maybe even open, unless Krampus is clever enough to open it on his own, which he may well be–and fell asleep. Anyone could’ve busted in here. What the fuck?
I stalk toward her, fire in my blood.
She sleeps soundly.
I can’t let this stand. I grab her arm.
She yelps as I pull her up from the couch. When I sit in the chair beside it and put her in my lap, her eyes widen. “How did you get–”
“You left the door open, babe.”
“I did?” She glances toward it. “I must’ve forgotten when I came home. I was–”
“That’s dangerous.”
“Yes.”
“You’ll have to be punished.” My cock goes hard as an iron rod as the words leave my lips.
