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.”

inside. “Oh, Larry, they’re beautiful. Thank you.” She takes out some small

comb,

Platinum?

one side, pinning back long red tresses; a match to

unusual. Where

what I wanted but couldn’t find it. So, I found a talented jewel-smith

he’s given

*****

poke my head around the kitchen door. James is there ahead of me at

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

help?” I

looks up, smiling. “Absolutely you can help. You can peel the chestnuts for the

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

people here to eat the results, I thought we would have more than one kind. This is going to be sage

apron, “I see you

I drop my eyes below his worktop. Archie wags his tail and gives

his services around the time I took the bacon from

shuffles his position a little to sit directly under James’ cutting

I’ll get him out

before. He knows how to stay out of the way and

appears, takes a step inside the kitchen, takes one look and tries to reverse out

don’t,” says James. “Grab yourself a peeler. You can help too. Parsnips, potatoes, sprouts. Take your pick. We want plenty so I

a grumble emanates from deep inside

face is blandly

um… clearing snow from the front

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