Red

C H A P T E R F O R T Y E I G H T

With static in my ear and frost on my boots I walked around the Christmas tree farm hearing the magical jingle of bells in the distance.

Everything was icy and merry, people bundled in mittens and winter coats, loved-up couples kissing beneath the mistletoe and children laughing as they played on sleighs, believing all of their wishes were going to come true.

String lights ran up above, from tree to tree, illuminating the farm with a ray of festive colours.

My heart clenched when I set eyes on him, walking through the forest of pines. He pulled the collar up on his navy duffle to shield his face from the cold.

He was cold.

For some reason, that made me yearn.

He laughed at something Adrian said and then twirled Grace under his arm, dancing with her under the sparkling lights. The red velvet dress he picked out for her spun like a ballerina and she giggled, so carefree, happy and safe.

I leaned back against the bark of a fir tree, breathing in and out deeply and watching the warm mist gather in front of my face. He drank from his Santa-patterned paper cup, breathing in the steam that lifted from his mulled wine and then closed his eyes appreciating the taste.

“Ma’am? Do you have eyes on the target?” Brussels voice buzzed down my ear piece, ruining my moment.

“I do.” I replied with regret.

“Our men are in their places. You are both surrounded, whenever you’re ready Ma’am.”

I didn’t move. I just watched and in this moment I never felt more alone. Families all around me shared in the feeling of togetherness and love, their hearts were full of one another.

I missed out on my life, my childhood, actually being aloud to love my family. Everything wholesome, everything that mattered, the mafia ruined it all. The mafia is still ruining it all.

“Anytime now Ma’am.” Brussels encouraged like I didn’t hear him the first time.

“Minced pie, miss?” My lips twitched into a smile, Jacob wiggled a bell on the end of his green elf hat and pushed a tray of pies under my nose.

“You look ridiculous.” I laughed.

“What? Santa’s elves don’t do it for you.” My smile faded. You don’t do it for me, not any more but I was leaving Ace behind and taking his daughter with me.

Is this what I was subjecting myself to? Shit sex and forced to finish off the job off myself with a vibrator?

“Just go take the pies over there.” I sighed out. I watched Jacob approach them. Adrian instantly took a pie and bit into it. Ace rejected the offer, damn it.

A Mrs Claus looking lady announced the parade up on a podium. Music levels gained out of speaker systems strapped to the trees. Barn doors opened and big Christmas cavalcades rolled out.

Frosty the snowman blew paper snow at us.

Santa’s elves thew candy at us.

Christmas fairies sprinkled us in glitter.

The angels were shit.

Real reindeers galloped through the trees.

And for the big finish, Santa waved to all.

“Now.” I spoke in my ear piece.

Suddenly the parade area got flooded with people, it was a hectic collision of the parade crowd dispersing and people shoving you left and right while they rushed to get first in line for the grotto.

But the Valentino team made it all the more chaotic, intentionally weaving in and out of the crowds, separating Ace and Adrian from Gracie.

It happened so fast, they didn’t even realise they had lost her in the crowd. She was a little person who couldn’t see over the adults all around her. I watched as her beautiful face became worrisome and filled with anxiety.

“Daddy!” She called out, looking for him in the crowd. But my men blocked her path back to Ace, forcing her further and further away without her even realising. Forcing her in my direction.

“Gracie!” I called out.

Her almond eyes found me and the worry drained away instantly. I made her worry drain away. She felt safe with me. Fuck, that wasn’t going to last long.

“Gabriella! I lost daddy!” She grabbed my hand and held it tightly. Her little mittens warming my skin.

“That’s okay Grace, I told your daddy we were going to go see Santa. He’ll catch up with us later.” She smiled wildly, it was full of innocence. One I exploited and manipulated.

“Okay!” She replied with excitement. Skipping next to me as we headed towards the barn.

A line had formed outside, children and parents alike, all feeling chilly but cozy at the same time.

Grace smiled up at me, her cheeks and the tip of her nose had turned rosy but there was nothing but excitement on her face.

I skipped past the families in the line and approached the out-of-place elf.

“Hey, this is Grace.” I told Jacob. He smiled warmly down at Grace and I gripped her hand tighter because I felt this need to protect her, even from Jacob.

“Hey Grace, I’m Jingle the elf. Would you want to go see Santa, he’s expecting you?” Grace nodded enthusiastically. “Right this way sweetheart.” He pulled open the back entrance and as we walked in he slapped my ass. Grace looked at me, questioning it but none of us addressed it.

The barn doors shut behind us, we were surrounded by hay barrels and lack of festive decor. My ear piece buzzed.

“He’s causing a scene Ma’am. He knows she’s missing, his friend is out cold. He’s threatening everyone, even civilians. Stay inside the grotto.”

“Right this way darling.” Jacob opened a smaller door and we were guided into the grotto room where Angelo was dressed as Santa.

“Ahh! Grace!” He gasped, in a jolly way.

“You know my name?” She asked sweetly, taking a seat upon his lap. I’ll admit, Angelo made a good Santa.

He was the biggest and eldest out of all of us and he did a good jolly voice. I noted a puddle of blood buried behind a Christmas tree and I briefly wondered what they had done to the real Santa.

“Of course I do, I know everything and you’re on my good list this year.” He bopped her nose and she giggled.

Okay, so we didn’t do Christmas growing up and I knew Angelo wasn’t a weirdo but this whole Santa thing just felt a little creepy. Kids sitting on a strangers lap, knowing everything about you, watching you, breaking into your house.

Nope. No. Not for me.

“Now tell me Grace, what do you want for Christmas?” Grace glanced at me nervously and then back at Angelo.

“I want my daddy to be happy.” Angelo and I exchanged a look.

“And what would make him happy Grace?” She turned to me again and then pointed at me. Angelo spluttered out a laugh and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Maybe your daddy would like a new coffee maker?” He tried.

“Perhaps a tie?” I bargained.

“A pair of socks? Angelo was finding the amusement in this.

“No, he definitely wants Gabriella.” Grace spoke strongly and confidently.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“Yeah, he’s happy with Gabriella and I am too. That’s what I want for Christmas. To live with daddy and Gabriella.”

I held the black gadget in my ear as Brussel shouted for us to move out. Angelo grabbed Graces head and I darted forward but I moved too slow. He unexpectedly pierced her neck with a syringe and she fell unconscious in the matter of seconds.

“Angelo! What the fuck?!” I yelled.

“Ma’am?” He seemed clueless. “I’m following protocol, the rules are to drug anyone coming to the house. She can’t know where the safe house is located.” He answered, standing up and slinging her over his shoulder.

“Jesus she’s five!”

“Sorry ma’am.”

“Why the aren’t you guys moving out yet? We can’t hold him down forever.” Brussel screamed down my ear.

Angelo carried Grace away, out the back door and into one of our waiting town cars. I looked at the bunny plush laying on the floor, she must’ve dropped it when she got pumped with a sedative. I scooped it up and followed them out.

The Christmas tree farm had a completely different vibe now. The people were sorrowful and the air smelt like death was pending.

The music stopped playing and only heartbroken silence drenched the atmosphere. The holy and ribbon, the Christmas lights and fir trees were only a sour reminder of what could’ve been beautiful if it wasn’t so malicious.

It’s time for payback Ace.