Sacked and Sleighed (Stolen Obsessions, #1.5)

by Aurelia Knight

“Bianca, where are you? Your shift started twenty minutes ago.” “What do you mean? Ralph is dead. There’s no Santa.” I’m too shocked to be gracious, and her disbelieving sigh follows down the phone. “We replaced him. Get down here for your shift.” “You’ve already replaced him? Why didn’t you call me?” My voice is quiet as I start the car and head to the mall, my costume already in my bag in the back. “I replaced him that day. I just thought it was in bad taste to open before they could clean everything up, but we lost out on one of the most valuable days of the season. I didn’t think I had to tell you to follow your schedule.” “Typically, no, but after my coworker is murdered, yes.” “Fine, fair point.” She blows out some of her steam, her voice softening. “So get down here and help me make up for the lost sales, or we may not be opening next year.” I don’t bother to tell her I wouldn’t give half a crap, and I’m dying to be done with the Christmas industry permanently. “Alright, I’m on my way. I won’t be more than twenty minutes.” “Good.” She’s clearly not angry anymore. I’ve worked for her long enough and always been dependable. I’m not really surprised she’s a morbid bitch of a capitalist, and at least I won’t lose out on the hours. “One thing, Bianca.” “Yeah?” “The guy I hired is a little unusual. Don’t stare, okay?” “Why would I stare?” I ask aghast, assuming she means something is different about his appearance and that I don’t have the social graces not to make him fe...

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“It’s a family rule that we don’t spend Christmas with women beaters, Sharon. Your daughter is my family now.” Klaus grabs my hand in his like we’re presenting a united front. “You literally murdered someone on Christmas,” I snap. Staring at Richard’s corpse, then my bound and crying mother, and finally the crazy fuck I’ve chosen not to try to escape from. “I still don’t beat women.” His face pinches like I’ve really pissed him off this time. “Now eat your fucking eggs. You have a lot of presents to open.” He turns to my sobbing mother with a broad smile. “Don’t worry, Mom, I picked some nice things out for you too. Your favorite color is still teal, right?” No one answers him. “I’m trying to make a good impression on your mother, Snowflake. You could try to be helpful.” He shrugs toward her like she and I are the unreasonable ones despite the kidnapping and the corpse. “You stabbed her husband in the gut and let him bleed out slowly. Minutes ago, Klaus.” Mom wails, her tears choking her. “Please, God, please!” “Oh, fine!” Klaus slaps the table, and the sudden violence shocks her into quieting down. “No more begging. Who can wait? Presents now.”

IM LAUGHING SO HARD IM CRYING LMFAOOOOO HES SUCH AN ICON