I’ve been around bikers long enough to know what that means. They’ve gotten rid of him whichever way they saw fit, and that isn’t ever nice. I also know it’s none of my business, and it’s best if I just stay out of it. So that’s what I do. I have my man in my arms, and he did the one thing he promised he would. He kept me safe. He kept Ebony safe.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“You’re my fuckin’ lady...” he murmurs. “Always.”

“So can we do this now?” I whisper. “Can we finally celebrate Christmas?”

“Baby,” he sighs deeply, “hell yeah.”

Thank God.

Chapter 10

Dreams really do come true.

Janine

“I missed you, Mommy,” Ebony cries, leaping into my arms as soon as I get to the front door.

“I missed you too, baby.”

“What happened to your face, Mommy?” she asks, concerned when she lays eyes on me.

“Mommy fell over; silly Mommy.”

She giggles.

“Are we going up to the snow?”

I nod. “We are, this afternoon.”

Her eyes light up. “I’m going to make a snowman!”

She turns and rushes off, and I walk inside to find my mom. She’s in the kitchen, pulling a tray of gingerbread cookies from the oven. When she turns and sees me, she drops the tray. “Janine, what happened?” she cries, rushing over.

“It’s okay, Mom,” I say, putting up my hands. “I fell, that’s all.”

She scrunches up her nose. “Is that a lie, Janine?”

“No, Mom, it’s not. I swear, I fell.”

“On your face?”

“Yes.”

She crosses her arms. “How do you fall on your face?”

I flush. “That’s a question you don’t want answered. Now, tell me, are we all ready to go?”

“Addison has the all-clear then?” she says, her eyes hopeful.

“She has the all-clear but she has to take it easy. The bleeding has stopped, and the baby still seems okay. I told her and Cade to stay home, but she insists on coming back up. But she promises to sit.”

“Silly girl. She should stay down here.”

I smile. “Yes, but it’s Christmas, and it’s a time for family.”

“That’s true.” She nods.

“So, I just popped in to get Eb’s, and go and get her ready.”

“You can leave her here, if you like,” she says, looking hopeful. “Go and get her things and come back for her.”

“If that’s okay with you,” I say.

“Of course.” She waves a hand.

“Eb,” I call out.

My daughter comes bounding in, looks at her gingerbread men on the floor and begins to cry.

“Oh, honey, it’s okay,” I soothe. “I’m sure granny will make more.”

Eb’s eyes lift to her grandma, “Will you?”

My mom smiles. “Of course. Come on, let’s make some to take up to the cabins.”

“I’ll let you do that, and I’ll come back for you both soon,” I say, pecking my mom on the cheek.

“No problems, dear,” my mother says, lifting Eb’s and putting her on the counter.

I smile and leave.

Maybe this will turn out to be a good Christmas after all.

~*~*~*~

Muff

“Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches,” the girls sing at the top of their lungs.

I groan loudly, rolling my eyes. Christmas carols for the last fucking hour. Non-stop. Over and over. I want to pull my gun out and shove it in my mouth...

“Muff,” Jaybird giggles, grinning at me. “Sing along.”

“I’d rather cut my own tongue off,” I mutter.

“Aw, you big Grinch,” Ciara cries.

I don’t know how I ended up with Ciara in my truck, but I did. Spike had to take the kids, because his truck had the baby seat buckles, so I got the girls: Ebony, Jaybird and Ciara. I want to gouge my eyes out with a blunt instrument.

“I hate Christmas carols,” I grunt.

“You didn’t say that when you were wiggling around to them the other night,” Jaybird teases, poking my side.

“I was drinking, and had a half-naked woman around. It makes a difference.”

“Fun spoiler,” Ciara whines.

“Come on, Muff,” Eb’s cries in that cute-ass little voice. “Sing, sing!”

I groan. “You know I love ya baby girl, but there ain’t no way I’m singin’.”

“Aw.” She pouts. “You’re mean.”

“Don’t try and make me feel bad, baby.”

“I love you, Muffy.”

I groan, and then laugh. “You’re a terror, Ebony.”

Jaybird laughs. “She takes after her momma.”

“That she does.” I grin, reaching across and taking her hand. “Go on, keep singing ladies!”

“Wooooo!” Ciara giggles. “Deck the halls...”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t wipe the damned smile off my face.

This Christmas shit is getting to me.

Chapter 11

White Christmas

Janine

“Oh, God,” I whimper, arching my back.

“Shhhh,” Muff growls against my pussy. “Silence, baby.”

It’s hard to be silent when he’s got that divine mouth on my pussy, and his tongue is licking and twirling, bringing me to the edge. I’m propped up on the washing machine, feet on Muff’s shoulders. His mouth is driving me crazy, and he damn well knows it. I came in here to put some washcloths away, and ended up pressed against the washing machine, with Muff’s mouth in my pussy.