Devouring Santa (Santa Land Book 2)

by Kacey Hamford

  “Yeah,” I whispered.

  “The police are on the way.” Dan stated. “Do you want me to call anyone else?”

  “Yeah, my brother.” Eve said as I shook my head no. I didn’t want Marcus knowing about this, he would go crazy. “Ruby, he has to know.”

  “Fine. But he’s going to be mad as hell.”

  Eve handed her phone over to Dan and he called Connor to explain everything.

  “They’re on the way.” He said as he handed the phone back to Eve. He pressed his finger to his ear and then looked at me. “The police are here.”

  The police had just finished questioning me when Connor and Marcus bursted in through the office door. I jumped into Marcus’s arms as soon as he was close enough. I cried into his neck as he ran his hands up and down my back.

  “What are you doing here?” I heard Eve ask Connor. “It’s bad luck to see me before the wedding.”

  “The wedding is tomorrow and I’m not letting you out of my sight.” He stated. Eve started going on about traditions and how she didn’t want any bad luck for their wedding and marriage. Connor just shrugged it off and told her that they were staying together and that was final.

  “What’s happening about that son of a bitch who touched my woman?” Marcus asked the police before they left.

  “He’s been arrested. I don’t think he’ll be allowed bail as he’s been wanted for a couple of other crimes.”

  “Make sure he doesn’t get out.” Marcus stated.

  “I don’t think he will be.” The policeman nodded his head at Marcus before he left the room.

  “Where’s Oliver?” I asked Marcus as I clutched hold of his t-shirt in my hands.

  “Dad came over to sit with him. That’s why it took us longer to get here. Come on, let’s get home.”

  Ruby

  December 24th

  * * *

  Marcus didn’t want me out of his sight last night so all four of us ended up staying at our house. Eve refused to stay in the same bed as Connor, claiming that it was bad luck. So we shared a bed so the guys could have a bed each.

  Eve had woken me up at the crack of dawn so we could sneak out of the house without her seeing Connor. I gave Oliver a quick kiss on the head before I let Eve shove me out of my own house.

  “Calm down, will you.” Eve was power walking ahead of me. We had to walk back to Eve and Connor’s house as we didn’t have a car. Mine was already at her place and Marcus was going to need his today. His job as the best man was to get the groom to the wedding ahead of time.

  “We’ve got so much to do. I need to shower before the hair and make-up artists get here. I’ve got to make sure my dress is ok. That I have my something borrowed, blue, old and new.”

  “Eve, honey. We went through all of that the other day. It’s all there. I promise.” I panted as I caught up with her just as she marched up her driveway and unlocked her front door.

  Just as I stepped into the kitchen to start making breakfast, Eve ran upstairs to the bathroom, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

  Marcus - Where the hell are you? x

  Ruby - Eve was panicking about seeing Connor. We’ve just got to her house. x

  Marcus - Eleven o’clock better come around quick. I need to see and hold you. x

  Ruby - I promise you, I’m fine. x

  Marcus - The baby? No pain or anything? x

  Ruby - Nothing. She is cooking away nicely at her own pace x

  Marcus - She? x

  Ruby - It would be nice to have a daughter, wouldn’t it? x

  Marcus - Not if she looks anything like you. x

  Ruby - LOL. I need to make Eve breakfast. I’ll see you soon. Love you x

  Marcus - Love you too x

  Eve and Connor were getting married at the golf club where I had my Christmas party last week. It was a beautiful place. The golf course was covered in white frost still as it was cold as hell outside. I was in my floor length blue dress, silver heels and I had a silver wrap across my shoulders.

  “Let’s get inside, it’s freezing out here.” I complained.

  We hurried inside and the wedding planner was waiting for us. She started talking to Eve and I could see Marcus and Oliver waiting down the hall. I hurried over to them.

  “You look gorgeous.” Marcus smiled.

  “Thanks, you don’t look too bad yourself. How is he?”

  “Much better. No coughing today.” I took Oliver off of Marcus and positioned him on my hip.

  “Marcus, you need to be at the front with Connor. Ruby, we need you over here with Eve.” The wedding planner shooed Marcus away. He kissed me quickly before he headed inside the room where the ceremony was being held.

  I headed back over to Eve and placed Oliver back on the floor.

  “Ok, are we all ready?” The wedding planner asked. We all nodded and Eve took a deep breath.

  “Just breathe, pumpkin.” Her dad said as he kissed her on the cheek.

  I was standing behind them with Oliver clutching hold of my hand and Isobelle on my hip.

  “One, two, three and walk.” The wedding planner smiled as the doors opened up to show the full room and everyone was on their feet.

  Connor and Marcus were dressed in grey suits, white shirts with blue ties. The blue was the same colour as my dress. Oliver was dressed the same, but he had a dicky bow tie on instead.

  “What an amazing day this has been.” I smiled as I sat on Marcus’s lap. We watched Eve and Connor on the dance floor with Isobelle in between them. “They are so happy. I’m glad they found each other.”

  I had called mum earlier to come and get Oliver as he was starting to get tired. I didn’t want him overdoing it, as he was still recovering.

  “Come and dance with me.” Marcus lifted me off his lap and led me to the dancefloor. I wrapped my arms around his neck as his encircled my waist.

  “Now, tell me. Are you really ok?” He asked, looking concerned.

  “Yeah. I am. Thanks to my gorgeous fiance who decided I needed to know some self defence moves. They worked well. My four inch heels stabbing into his foot couldn’t have been pleasant.” I laughed.

  “It’s not a laughing matter, Ruby. I could have lost you last night. When Connor told me about the phone call he got, I…” He paused and shook his head.

  “Hey, it’s ok.” I smoothed my hand over his head. “I’m ok. He’s going to jail and can’t bother us again. I’m here and I’m all yours, forever.”

  Marcus

  December 25th - Christmas Day

  * * *

  “What a crazy day we had.” Ruby yawned as we climbed into bed.

  “It was the most perfect day.” I covered her body with mine and kissed her soundly. “Mrs. Hades.”

  “I love the sound of that. I still can’t believe we got married a few hours ago.”

  “This here is proof.” I picked up her left hand and kissed her finger where the two rings now lay.

  * * *

  Eight hours earlier

  I burst in through our hotel room with Oliver in my arms. Ruby was still in bed dozing.

  “Get your arse out of bed, babe.”

  “What’s Oliver doing here?” She sat up in bed and held her arms open for him. I passed him over. “Merry Christmas, baby.” I walked over to the bed and knelt on it in front of her.

  “We.” I leant forwards and kissed her. “Are.” Kiss. “Getting married.” Kiss. “Downstairs in four hours.”

  “What?” She asked, frowning.

  “I was downstairs sorting out the bill for the room, when I overheard them say that the wedding they have here today has been cancelled. Something about the brides nan having a stroke or something.”

  “Oh no, that’s awful.”

  “Yeah. Anyway, good news for us. I offered them a deal for a wedding package and they agreed. We’re getting married at two o’clock.”

  “Oh my god, Marcus.” She beamed, before her face fell.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?�
� I cupped her cheeks in my hands.

  “I don’t have a dress, you don’t have a suit, we don’t have rings or any guests.”

  “Rubes?” I called her name to stop her ranting. “A dress company will be here in two hours with a selection of dresses for you to choose from. I’ve already picked out our rings. Yours came with your engagement ring. It was a set. I’ve called a friend of mine who owns a suit shop, he’s going to bring over a suit for me, Oliver and Connor. Eve has already found a maid of honour dress from a local dress shop for her and Isobelle. The only guests we need are family and they are already here at the hotel.”

  “Mum?” She asked.

  “Come on in, Lyn.” I shouted out over my shoulder. The bedroom door opened and Ruby’s mum poked her head around the door.

  “Is someone getting married today?” She asked. I looked at Ruby as she looked at me.

  “Yes. We are.” She smiled brightly. “How did you get this all organised and on Christmas day?”

  “Everyone loves a bit of romance and a surprise wedding.”

  She flung the covers off and hopped out of bed. “I’m going to need help choosing a dress and with my hair and make-up. Will you help me?” She asked her mum.

  “Of course I will, honey.” Lyn smiled.

  “And you’ll give me away?”

  “Yes. If that’s what you want?” Ruby nodded and Lyn pulled her in for a hug.

  “Oh,” she spun around to look at me. “But I’ve seen you. Won’t that be bad luck?”

  “No, baby. We’ve got each other and our babies, nothing can touch us.” I kissed her once before pulling back. “I’ll take Oliver with me. I’ll see you at two o’clock.”

  “Wait, Marcus. Where are we getting married? In the same room as Eve and Connor?”

  “No, they have a sun room. It has a view of the whole golf course. It’s the perfect place for a small and intimate wedding.”

  “Thank you. I can’t wait to marry you.”

  Ruby

  Marcus had pulled out all of the stops for today. He had a champagne breakfast delivered to our room, for me, mum, Eve and Maggie. Although I had orange juice with mine. He had arranged a photographer that came and took photos while we were getting ready. I had picked out a gorgeous white A line dress that was covered in lace. Eve had curled my hair and mum and Maggie helped with my make-up. I was glad that Marcus’s mum, Maggie was here to join in. I had known her for years and she was a big part of my life too.

  “Are you ready?” Eve asked as she handed me her bouquet of flowers that I had caught at her evening do.

  “Yes.” I took a deep breath. Eve and Isobelle were dressed in the same colour dresses. They were a deep red. Eve’s was long and sleek, whereas Isobelle’s stopped below her knees.

  “Let’s get you to your man.” Mum said as she held my hand. We walked out of my room and headed for the lift.

  “I’m nervous. I don’t want to cry and ruin my make-up.” I giggled.

  “Deep breaths, honey.”

  I took a couple of breaths as we waited outside a set of doors. Music started playing and I looked up as the doors opened. Marcus was stood at the front of a makeshift altar with Oliver and Connor standing next to him. They were all looking handsome in their black suits, white shirts and deep red ties.

  I was the luckiest woman alive to receive treatment like this. I was secretly glad that I didn’t have to wait the six months we had originally agreed on to marry the man of my dreams.

  Marcus

  September 4th

  * * *

  “You can do it, baby.” I encouraged Ruby as she started pushing again. She went into labour roughly twenty hours ago. Our little girl was due in four days time. But she decided she wanted to be around for her big brothers second birthday, that was in three days.

  “I can’t believe we’re about to have two children under the age of two,” she panted.

  “Ruby, push when you feel another contraction.” The midwife said.

  “I feel another one.”

  “This has to be a big push. A big push and she’ll be here. Come on, you can do it.”

  I gripped hold of Ruby’s leg as she pushed against me.

  “That’s it, baby. Come on, keep going.” I glanced down and saw a head full of dark hair. “Shit.” I swore.

  “What? What is it? What’s wrong?” Ruby asked through her screaming.

  “The head is out. Take a deep breath and push, come on.” The midwife encouraged.

  “Marcus, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing baby, she’s perfect. She’s got a head full of dark hair. She’s going to be as gorgeous as you are, which means I’ll have to invest in a gun to keep the boys away from her.”

  We both stopped talking as we heard her first cry.

  “Congratulations, mum and dad. You have a healthy baby girl.” They wrapped her up and placed her on Ruby’s chest.

  “She’s perfect.” Ruby said through her happy tears.

  “You did great, babe.” I kissed her on the lips.

  “That’s it, Marcus. No more.”

  “We’ll see.” I winked at her.

  “Hi, can we come in?” Eve asked as she opened up the hospital door. Ruby had the baby in her arms and Oliver was tucked into her other side.

  “Yes, of course.” Ruby smiled.

  “Oh my god. Look at her.” Eve gushed.

  “Congrats, man.” Connor slapped me on the back and then looked back at his wife. “She’s going to be wanting another one now.” I laughed.

  “She’s already mentioned it.”

  “Come and meet your niece.” I ushered him forwards. Isobelle was in Eve’s arms but she was soon pulling away from her with her arms out for Connor. She was a daddy’s girl.

  “What have you called her?” Connor asked.

  “You wanna tell them, buddy?” I asked Oliver. He nodded his head and sat up.

  “Aria Angel Hades.” He said each name slowly.

  “It’s perfect.” Eve smiled. “When are you going home?”

  “Hopefully this afternoon. The grandparents have just left.” I informed them.

  “Do you want us to take Oliver home?” Eve offered.

  “Stay wiv mummy.” He interrupted.

  “Ok, looks like he’s staying with us.” I chuckled.

  “We’ll see you soon. She’s just gorgeous. Looks just like you.” Eve smiled at Ruby before kissing her on the cheek.

  Once the door was closed I climbed onto the bed with my family.

  “I’m glad you took a chance on me. I know I nearly screwed it up by working too much. I’m glad we got to back how we were supposed to be. I love you so very much, Mrs. Hades.” I claimed Ruby’s lips and just as she started kissing me back, Aria cried. I couldn’t help but laugh. It was deja vu all over again. That’s how Oliver reacted when Ruby and I first got together and kissed. He interrupted us with a cry.

  * * *

  The End

  Kacey Hamford is a pen name for me (Kelly). I am in my thirties and started this journey in 2014, I love to read romance books about rockstars, so thought I would have a go at writing one myself. I really enjoyed it and got a boost of confidence once my books started selling.

  I have gone on to write a young adult series, set in a college. The series is still on going.

  I also have an MC series, it was something different for me to write and I enjoyed it so much, especially when I got readers telling me they would love to read books about the sub characters.

  I work full time as a dog groomer, I love to read and my friends and family are very important to me. They are all so supportive of my writing career and encourage me to carry on.

  * * *

  More books from Kacey Hamford

  * * *

  The Rocking Series

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  The Chance Series

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  South Coast Brothers

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  Devon Destroyers MC - hyperurl.co/m1klk

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  * * *

  Rocked Series

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