Tally makes a small, offended noise at the whole ‘letting her’ thing but doesn’t interrupt. I can feel her looking at me, though.
“Floyd’s…” Jack mutters. “Yeah, I’m familiar with that event. My thoughts are that it should be safe enough. The potential for her presence to have been a big enough marketing ploy to reach Thurston is slim. She’s not a celebrity, and Floyd doesn’t advertise this event…it’s for a community children’s home.”
“That’s kind of what I was thinking,” I say, breath easing out of my chest a fraction. “But I feel better hearing it confirmed by you.”
“I would, though,” he continues, “be there undercover if I were you. Just to be safe.”
It’s sensible. Of course it is. Doesn’t mean I have to like how right it is.
“That’s a good idea…but undercover in what way?” I ask. “I’m a little large to be another elf.”
“Santa, of course,” Tally says promptly.
My hand jerks on the wheel. The truck bumps over the rumble strip, vibrating like it’s laughing at me. I drag us back into the lane and cut her a glare.
“He’s perfect for the part,” she goes on, unbothered. “Particularly if he drives a sleigh better than he does a truck.”
“No. Absolutely not, hell no.” I can hear the horror in my own voice. “And then no, again.”
Twiggy giggles, which should not do the things it does to my chest.
On the other end of the line, Jack hums, low and thoughtful. I instantly distrust it. “Actually, it’s kind of genius. No one except the kids will be paying attention to Santa. If Thurston does show up, he’ll be emboldened to try something, and maybe we can catch him.”
“You’re not using Tallulah as fucking bait.” The words snap out before I can rein them in.
“No, of course not,” he says. “But it’s a good idea. Otherwise, you’ll stick out like a sore thumb.”
Motherfuck me up the ass.
My fingers tighten on the steering wheel until my knuckles ache. I can already see it—me in a stupid suit, fake beard, pretending to ho-ho-ho, while every muscle I own is coiled and waiting for a shadow that might not come.
“Fine,” I grind out. “You just make sure the fucking suit fits.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Jack says, sounding like a man who’s just won a bet. "And I'll also make sure someone from State is inside, and around the perimeter, as well."
I hang up and turn another glare on Tally. “Thanks a lot.”
She beams, choosing to ignore the sarcasm. “Don’t mention it, studmuffin.”
Fucking hell. “Do not, for the love, call me that.”
“Okay, hot stuff.”
“Not that, either.”
“Grumpy old man?”
The corner of my mouth betrays me, twitching. “You need to be spanked, and often.”
Her breath hitches the tiniest bit. She doesn’t say no.
Yeah. That’s a problem for later.
Acouplefurtherhoursdown the road, the night has thickened, clouds snuffing out any moonlight. The road is mostly ours—just the occasional headlights sweeping past like ghosts.
Up ahead, a fluorescent sign cuts through the darkness.Walmart – Open 24 Hours.
Perfect.
