Page 137 of Where Sinners Repent

Kaleb notices, too.

By the time we are all full from what was a surprisingly good meal, Roxy is leaning on my shoulder, laughing at something Leon said. Ash’s chair squeals as he pushes himself back, with Maddison, who is now on his lap.

He lifts her easily and deposits her on Matty’s lap. She curls against him, and the older man wraps his arms around her. As much as he has a soft spot for her, she shares the fondness. I’ve seen it in little moments down in the club.

Ash bends down, pressing a kiss to her temple and whispers something in her ear. Her eyes soften and she catches the front of his ridiculous Santa coat and pulls him close enough to kiss him.

When he pulls back, she nuzzles into Matt’s neck. He kisses the space behind her ear.

It only takes a minute, but Ash returns carrying an armful of presents. For the next twenty minutes, the apartment turns into chaos. Leon keeps pressing the dancing Santa’s hand, and if he does it one more time, I’m gluing that hand to the table with my knife.

Maddy and Roxy exchange gifts, and Leon leans over to Griff’s mum, whispering in her ear. “Has Griff always been such a big baby?”

She laughs, eyes sparkling. “You know he threw a tantrum when he was three because I took away his teddy. The thing was covered in fucking beer from the bar, yet he still refused to let it go. Maybe that’s why he’s such an alcoholic these days.”

Leon turns to Griff, eyes sparkling with amusement.

“You had a Teddy?”

“No,” Griff grits out, his jaw clenching.

Mama Griff snorts. “His name was Buttons.”

Everyone laughs, and I take that moment to lift Roxy into my arms. I don’t want to give her the gifts with everyone around. In the living room, the tree sparkles with golden lights, and I sit her on my lap, while Kaleb grabs both gifts from the tree, coming back to press against us.

“You got me presents?” she whispers, eyes flicking between us.

That look alone makes me want to buy her anything she could dream of. Just outside the room, laughter is a constant sound. Bonbons start cracking and the usual bickering continues.

In here, it’s just the three of us. Her bottom lip sticks out as if the very idea of receiving a present makes her emotional.

Kaleb hands her mine. A small rectangle box wrapped in shiny black paper.

“From you?” she glances up at me from where she is perched on my lap.

I give her a quick nod. My chest is tight, and I shift beneath her, irritated by the feeling. My heart beats harder than it should, and there’s a strange restlessness in my hands.

To stop from moving, I grip her thighs instead.

I need a Goddamn reality check. I’ve stared down the barrel of a gun without my pulse changing. Sat stiller while my skin was sliced by blunt blades.

And giving a girl a present makes me squirm.

For fuck’s sake.

Her fingers pull at the paper, throwing it to the side. I watch her swallow, staring at the black box like it might bite her.

“Open it, Black Cat,” Kaleb murmurs, running his knuckles down her cheek.

She shakes her head softly. “I don’t know if I can...”

Kaleb watches her for a second before taking her hands in his. She looks at him, nerves shining in her eyes. Almost as affected by this as I am.

“We’ll do it together,” Kaleb whispers to her. “Just like when we ruined Harrison. Hand in hand.”

She fights the grin that aches to curve her lips. My sinful girl.

She nods, and Kaleb guides her hands to help her click the box open. It feels like wasps are swarming just under my skin, and it’s nearly impossible to sit still.