I wasn’t military, but I knew the shut up and listen motion well enough to freeze in place.
“Kid’s awake.” Bishop mouthed the words and pointed toward the front door, then held a finger to his lips.
Ash tiptoed in exaggerated steps that reminded me of a Grinch movie I’d seen a few years ago.
Bishop rolled his eyes, but a grin threatened.
A board creaked upstairs, and we all froze again.
Bishop made ‘hurry up’ motions with both hands, but a quavery voice from the top of the stairs brought him to a complete standstill.
They’d all swapped out their denim and leather for Santa suits.
I wore one of my traditional sweater dresses and a scarf pulled up around my mouth.
The white curly wig and red hat completed my Mrs. Claus look, but the whole plan was to not get caught.
“Santa?” Another board creaked, tiny footsteps coming closer.
Rafe stared at each of us for a heartbeat, then plucked a candy cane from the stocking beside him. “Merry Christmas, Andre.”
A gasp, then the hurried slap of feet.
Rafe rushed around the corner to cut the boy off before he found all of us in his living room. “You’re supposed to be in bed.”
“I couldn’t sleep.” Giddy excitement laced the boy’s voice. “Mama said you’d come, but I was worried.”
“You never have to worry about Santa. He always keeps his promises, and he will always show up for Christmas.”
I couldn’t see Rafe, but I imagined him holding out the candy cane as a kind of tribute.
Andre sniffled. “Thanks, Santa.”
“You’re welcome.” Rafe’s voice was so soft I almost didn’t hear him at all. “Now, can you go back to bed for me?”
“Sure.” Tiny footsteps pounded back up the stairs.
Seconds later, Rafe reappeared in the doorway with eyes that glowed suspiciously bright in the muted lighting from a single table lamp. “Let’s go.”
Bishop cupped a hand around his ear, and the soft click of a door closing gave me a chance to breathe again.
I waited until we were back outside, with the door locked behind us, to grab Rafe around the waist. “You just made that kid’s Christmas.”
“That’s the point.” Rafe kissed the tip of my nose and guided me to the back of his bike.
We hit eight more houses before dawn but didn’t encounter any more kids out of bed.
Every stop reinforced what I’d already learned. My men were not criminals.
They were heroes.
They’d found a way to make a difference in the world.
Whatever happened with my career, whatever consequences I faced for choosing love over duty, it was worth it.
And we didn’t run into a single member of Vance’s club all night.
Rafe’s orders had sunk deep.
