Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
My mouth twitched.
To no one’s surprise—well, at least not mine—the word maneuver got Kit going. “What kind of maneuver?” He sat straight up and cocked his head. “Oh! What happens when Santa has to deliver presents at military bases? Because we know Daddy would’ve shot Santa down. Some alarm would’ve sounded, and Daddy and his wingmen would’ve run out on the taxiway and lifted in two seconds!”
I rumbled a chuckle as he got more and more animated.
Next, he deepened in his voice and imitated static over the coms. “Prrrcht, we got a bogey. I repeat, we have visual on a bogey. Tshhht—or, wait! Would that be a bandit once you have a visual?” He didn’t let me respond before he continued excitedly. “What was that, Sir? We’re clear to take ’em out? Sir, yes, sir! Target locked, target locked. Sayonara, you jolly old cookie thief—you’ve climbed down your last chimney! Boom!” He made an explosion sound, but that was clearly not enough. He started gesturing too. “And then a few A-10s join Daddy, and they go brrrrrrt, brrrrrrt! Die, Santa, die! And the reindeer you rode in on!”
“Jesus.” I coughed through a laugh, unable to help myself. He was too fucking funny.
Luke, on the other hand, stared blankly at our boy before he turned to me and just said, “I have concerns.”
That only made me crack up more.
“What!” Kit demanded, out of breath. “They didn’t have a permit to fly there.”
I laughed. “So I reckon this is the story of when Santa fucked around and found out.”
“Yeah!” Kit grinned widely.
Luke gave us the “You need Jesus” look and shook his head.
“This was fun. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow’s bedtime story is about,” I said.
“Maybe something sweeter?” Kit suggested. “Daddy sure picked a gruesome story tonight.”
I had to agree.
At a little past eight the next morning, commotion filled the entryway when Greer arrived with his family.
“Oh my gosh, he made so many cookies,” Corey gushed. “Didn’t you, Archie?”
“You can put your mittens here, little one,” Lucas said.
“I can’t wait to see them!” Kit replied. Our boy was excited. “Lucas and Rosa prepared a bunch of things in the kitchen we can decorate with.”
“Daddy, I wanna change into my jammies right away.” That was Corey again.
“They’re in your backpack, baby.” And that was Sloan.
I tightened the drawstrings on my sweats on my way down the stairs, already certain I’d made the right call to put on long johns underneath. Snow was falling outside, and the gust of frigid air that traveled from the hallway showed no mercy.
The living room radiated warmth and coziness, from the fireplace to the Christmas tree, all the decorations and piles of gifts, and here I was, heading out for a run in a goddamn blizzard. But when Greer had suggested it, I hadn’t even hesitated. It’d do me good to get some cardio in before Christmas food filled my belly.
Most of the time, Ty and I worked out at a gym near our headquarters, lifting weights and whatnot. I couldn’t remember the last time I went out for a run. Had to be months ago anyway.
Speaking of Ty—I made a mental note to call him later. He was heading down to Florida tomorrow, and I wanted him to bring the applications we’d received for three positions we were looking to fill. We couldn’t very well run a private security business without employing private security. We’d gotten a good, solid start with alarm systems and technology; now we wanted to take MadCo Sec to the next level.
“Catch me, Papa Bear!”
I joined everyone else in the entryway just as Corey jumped into Greer’s arms and smooched him on the cheek with a silly grin on his face.
“Are you gonna run with Mister Colt now?” Corey asked.
“Mornin’, y’all,” I said.
They turned my way with a handful of greetings, and Greer responded, “Aye, I gotta see if Colt’s still got it.”
I smirked and reached for one of my beanies.
“My Daddy’s the whole package with a big package,” Kit said matter-of-factly.
I laughed. That was my boy.
“Oh yeah?” Corey gave me a once-over and waggled his eyebrows.
Such a little flirt.
“Well, this could take forever,” Luke drawled. “May I suggest breakfast in the kitchen while the coffee’s hot?”
I chuckled and stole a quick kiss before I squeezed by.
It seemed Greer had opted for similar clothing; I spotted a skintight undershirt when he replaced his coat with a hoodie, and I doubted he was freeballin’ it under his sweats.
The boys chatted excitedly about the day as they left the hallway, and Luke informed me Reese would stop by with the Tenley’s annual Band-Aid gift soon. I nodded in acknowledgment and finished tying my sneakers, wondering how far “water-resistant” was gonna get me in this weather.
Soon enough, Greer and I were out the door, and we decided to head down toward the waterfront. The sidewalks were likelier to be better tended to there than here, where the strips for pedestrians were so narrow you could barely walk side by side.