Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by M. Robinson

Author:M. Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Anthology
Publisher: Dangerous Press
Published: 2022-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Magnus

On the night of the Christmas Ball, I stood in a cavernous, darkly masculine den in the Morelli estate. My pulse hummed an ominous rhythm as I checked my watch and returned my hand to my pocket.

In the distance, an ensemble of instrumentalists played classical holiday music. The ball had just begun, and I was past ready to dance with my princess.

This secluded room was situated down the hall from the ballroom, off the beaten path. Given the pristine settees, immaculate rugs, and shiny wood surfaces, I doubted anyone ever used the pretentious chamber.

Multiple closed doors led to storage rooms, closets, and a full bathroom. My guards hid in those areas, their weapons at the ready.

Amanda wouldn’t be armed inside these walls. Everyone in attendance was required to walk through a weapons scanner. Everyone except my security detail.

But the scanner was necessary, considering this monumental assembly of Morellis and Constantines.

It would be a miracle if the night didn’t end in bloodshed.

I made no promises.

“I need to return to my guests.” Lucian strolled past me, reeking of money and corruption in his sleek, tailored tuxedo. “When Amanda arrives, she’ll know where to find you.”

“I’ll be ready.” I lowered into an armchair and loosened my bow tie, letting it hang against my disheveled button-up.

The trap was simple. Lucian’s sister, Eva, would make sure Amanda overheard her gossiping about an argument between Tinsley and me, a fight that had sent Tinsley fleeing from the ball and me to this room in a rage.

In reality, Tinsley was waiting in Lucian’s office, surrounded by an army of guards. His and mine.

She was right down the hall. If anyone threatened her, Galen would text me, and I would be there within seconds.

“I’ll see you on the other side, student-fucker.” Lucian handed me a half-empty bottle of whiskey, wearing an evil grin.

The twisted prick wanted me to paint the walls of his den with blood.

He might get his wish.

In the week that had passed since learning about Amanda Herschel, I wasn’t feeling at all forgiving.

Impossible to forgive someone who intended to murder the love of my life.

After discovering who the threat was, I’d put all my time and resources into tracking her down. To no avail. She was still missing, and I was ninety-nine percent certain she wouldn’t show tonight.

That one percent chance, though? That brought me here, committed to this plan.

I longed to kill her with my bare hands.

As Lucian slipped into the hall, I drank from the whiskey bottle. Not to drown myself in booze, but to saturate my breath with it. Setting the bottle beside my foot, I unbuttoned my tuxedo jacket and settled in to play the part of a lonely, brooding man with no fucks to give.

Then I waited.

The orchestra played. Muffled laughter filled the air. The sound of footsteps. Inebriated voices. Goddamn holiday cheer. It was the time of year for family gatherings, for putting aside differences and making amends.

I used to celebrate Christmas Eve with prayer.

Now I was prepared to desecrate this holy night with vengeance.

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