Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Chapter 37

The four men exchange wary expressions, none of them exactly moving, but all shifting in their seats.

Michael caves first. He fills his lungs then, pulling the creation over his head, tugs it into place. The pullover is a perfect fit on chest and arm and only the Let It Snow logo looks in any way out of place.

As he moves, James, Richard and Larry unfreeze, donning their joke-wear.

All sit, refusing to meet each other’s eyes. Finally, Richard says, “Well, at least we know the worst is over.”

Mitch’s mouth twitches and she whips something from her pocket, aiming at him: a small control panel. She squeezes a button and Santa’s nose starts flashing in time to the tune of Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly…

Charlotte and Beth both crease up laughing. Mitch extends the controls again to James and his sweater bleeps out Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, then Michael’s bursts into Frosty The Snowman…

Larry turns, raising a finger… “No…” But it’s too late. His own woolly launches into Let It Snow…

James erupts from his seat. “Absolutely not!”

He makes to take off Rudolph, but Mitch clicks again, and the jingle stops. Then she paints on an expression of fake contrition. “I’m so sorry, Ryan. If I’d known you’d be here, I’d have made one for you too.”

Ryan inhales. “I’ll live.”

*****

“What else have we then?”

Michael delves into the heap of gifts, this time extracting another small neat package. He glances at the tag then offers it to Mitch.

She, in turn, looks at the label then turns eyes on Larry.

His voice neutral, “I hope you like it.”

lid of the box inside. “Oh, Larry, they’re beautiful. Thank you.” She takes out some small object then

a comb, made in

Platinum?

pinning back long red tresses; a match to the silver and emerald collar she is already wearing. She sets its partner in her hair on

“They’re very unusual. Where did

made. I knew what I wanted but couldn’t find it. So, I found a talented

he’s given

*****

my head around the kitchen door. James is there ahead of me at his workspace, be-aproned, sleeves rolled up on the Christmas sweater, trimming the rind

Charlotte sits peeling carrots. Beside her, Mitch wraps bacon around sausages. Between them on a thick furry

help?”

up, smiling. “Absolutely you can help. You can peel

contents of a bowl close by, already containing onions, breadcrumbs and judging by

the results, I thought we would have more than one

I tie the bow on my apron,

moment until I drop my eyes below his worktop. Archie wags his tail and gives an ingratiating grin,

helper. He volunteered his services around the

then shuffles his position a little to sit

I’ll

a rapport when your tribe stayed with us before. He knows how to stay out of the way

the kitchen, takes one look and tries to

can help too. Parsnips, potatoes, sprouts.

like a grumble emanates from deep inside Michael.

what?” James’ face is blandly enquiring, but

clearing snow from the front

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