by R. E. Butler
“SC doesn’t bring bad things to kids who don’t believe in him. That would just be lousy,” Rhys said.
“I’m glad to hear that,” she said.
The door behind them opened and several guys came inside, including Jack and Sullivan. Declan introduced his friends and said, “Thanks for being willing to help pack up Ellie’s place.”
“It’s what we do for each other,” Arian said. “Quads are a family all on their own.”
Ellie thought that was awesome. Everyone in NPC had been so welcoming to her. Although part of her was sad to be leaving her old life behind, she was mostly excited to see what the future would bring.
“What kind of place do you have?” Rhys asked.
“I’m on the top floor of a two-story apartment building.”
“How many apartments are in the building?” Declan asked.
“Just four. Two on each level.”
After the quads had put on their trackers and picked up a stack of packing boxes, they gathered in a circle. Declan had his arm around her, holding her firmly to his side. He smiled at her and said, “Picture the inside of your apartment in your mind.”
Closing her eyes, she thought of her little place. She’d shared the two-bedroom apartment with Neve until she moved away with Tom. Once it had been hers alone, she’d redecorated it to reflect her love of flowers, from the daisy-themed kitchen to the floral quilt on her bed.
She felt the rush of transporting, and when she opened her eyes, they were all inside her place.
“I wish I had the ability to transport. It’s very handy,” she said, and the men laughed.
Declan clapped his hands together. “Let’s get you packed, honey.”
She smiled. “So anxious to get me back to NPC?”
“You bet,” he said with a wink.
“How much can I take with us?”
Roi opened one of the boxes they’d brought and said, “We can take three boxes, and you can pack a couple of bags, too.”
“I can take my plants, right?” she asked Declan.
He nodded. “That’s why we brought boxes.”
She had a dozen potted plants and two hanging ones she wanted to bring with her. She told them how to wrap them up in towels and newspaper to protect them in the boxes, and then she took Declan to her bedroom, where she pulled a few totes from the closet and set them on the bed.
She turned to the closet and began to pick out her warmest clothes, which Declan took off the hangers and placed in the totes. Then she dug out her favorite boots and exchanged her comfy tennis shoes for them. After two of the totes were filled with her winter clothes and shoes, she filled a large backpack with toiletries.
“What happens to everything here? I don’t have time to close out all my accounts,” she said as she followed Declan into the family room.
“Our people will handle things,” Rhys said. “They’ll pay your bills off and close out your accounts. Anything you leave here, they’ll make arrangements to donate to charity.”
She hummed. “I can take my cell and tablet computer?”
“Yep,” Declan said. “We’ll inspect your electronics to make sure they won’t reveal our location. You can keep your current cell number and email, and when you make regular or video calls, it won’t show that you’re in NPC. It’s part of our security protocol.”
“I’ll be able to keep in touch with Layne?” she asked, her brows rising.
“Of course.”
“Oh. I thought since Neve said she and Tom stayed out of NPC for me, that she wouldn’t have been able to keep in touch or see me again.”
“While it’s true we can only leave NPC for twenty-four hours a year, we have the technology for keeping in touch with family and friends left behind,” Rhys said. “My mate’s family is in the States. She video calls them once a week.”
She let out the breath she hadn’t been aware she was holding. She’d been worried about just leaving and not being able to really explain things to Layne in a way that wouldn’t make her boss wonder if something was wrong. That she could stay in touch with Layne was a relief.
“That’s very cool.”
Declan kissed her temple with a chuckle. “You were worried.”
“A little. Layne and Danny have been very good to me. I wouldn’t want them to worry.”
“You’re very sweet,” he murmured.
She leaned into him, resting her cheek over his heart. “I’m in good company.”
There was room in one of the boxes for knickknacks and family heirlooms, including her grandma’s favorite snow globe, her mom’s cookbook, and her parents’ wedding rings. It had taken a couple hours to pack up, get her bills and financial information ready to hand over to the elves who would deal with it, and ensure she didn’t leave anything important behind, but they were finally ready to go.
She let out a sigh as they met in the family room to transport to NPC.
“What’s the sigh for?” Declan asked.
She looked at the tracker. There were four hours until Declan’s flight. “I was hoping to see Layne to say goodbye in person.”
“That was my plan, too,” he said. “We’ll transport your things to my room – I mean, our room, and then you and I will come back here so you can visit with Layne. I’d like to meet her, anyway.”
“Really? Oh, Dec, thank you!” She hugged him hard with a giggle.
He kissed the top of her head. “Anything for my honey.”
“Barf,” Jack said, rolling his eyes.
Sullivan punched Jack’s arm. “You’ll say goofy shit like that when you find your fated mate, too.”
Ellie smiled at Declan. “It’s not goofy.”
He gave her a crooked smile. “It sorta is.”
“I like it, though.”
“Good. That’s all that matters.”
They gathered around her belongings and transported back to their room in NPC. She thanked the quads who had helped, then turned to face Declan when they were alone once more.
“You look like you have wicked things on your mind, honey,” he murmured, gripping her chin between his finger and thumb. “Sexy, sexy female. My whole world.”
Her heart fluttered and her body heated at his sweet words.
“We need to celebrate.”
She pulled off her thick coat and tossed it aside, bending over to unlace her winter boots. Declan ran his hands down her back and cupped her ass with a chuckle. “You’re getting naked. That’s my favorite way of celebrating with you.”
She took off the boots and straightened, rising onto her toes to kiss him. “I want to celebrate everything right now, and then later, when you come back from the run, I want to celebrate again because it’ll be the first day of our new life together.”
“Just twice?” he asked slyly, his eyes narrowed.
“To start. I’ll never get enough of you, Declan. You’re my everything, too.”
* * *
She looked at the tracker as they transported to her apartment after some sexy celebrating. “We have two hours,” she said.
He hummed. “You could stay longer.”
“I want to be back in NPC when you come back from the flight.”
“I know, and I want that, too. But I mean we could ask someone to come get you in a few hours so you can spend time with Layne and also be back in the room waiting for me, like a sexy Christmas gift.”
She tilted her head. “Do your people give gifts to each other?”
“Of course.”
“Should I wrap myself up with a bow?”
He barked out a laugh. “Honey, I’d love that. You’d be the best gift I ever unwrapped.”
“Who will come get me?” she asked, her mind slipping from sexy thoughts to logistics.
“Let me check.” He lifted the tracker closer to his mouth and pressed a button on the side.
“Yeah?” a man answered. She thought it might be Rhys, but she didn’t know any of Declan’s friends well enough yet to recognize
their voices.
“Hey, I need someone to come get Ellie after we get on the way tonight.”
There was a brief pause. “She doesn’t want to watch us leave?”
“She’s got a friend to say goodbye to,” he answered.
“Let me put out some feelers and I’ll call you back.”
The call ended and she looked at Declan. “Am I supposed to watch you?”
His brows rose. “What?”
She gestured to the tracker. “Is it some kind of right of passage for new mates to watch the sleigh leave?”
“Not necessarily. And this is a different situation because you’re tying up the loose ends of your life here so your friends don’t worry. There’s nothing wrong with you taking that time. And besides,” he said with a smile, “when the team leaves, it’s instantaneous because of the magic. So you’d see me in my shift on the sleigh, and then I’d be gone.”
“That fast?”
He nodded. “SC’s magic is pretty awesome.”
She rose onto her toes and kissed him. “I think you’re pretty awesome, too. As long as you’re sure you don’t mind me not being there while you’re getting ready. I’d like to spend as much time as possible with Layne since it’s my last Christmas Eve with her.”
“It’s not an issue. Whoever’s coming to get you will bring you back whenever you’re ready.”
“You’re the best.”
He gave her a sweet smile that was laced with just enough heat to make her want to push him back into the bedroom for about an hour. Or a month.
“Just for you, honey.”
She ordered a car from her phone app, and she and Declan waited in the apartment foyer until the small SUV appeared. Declan opened the door for her and she sat down, scooting across the bench seat to make room for him. He climbed in and shut the door.
While they traveled to the flower shop, she pointed out the landmarks to Declan.
“You grew up here?”
“Yep.”
“It’s quaint. I can see why you like it, and why you’ll miss it.”
She smiled. “Better things await.”
He glanced at her long enough for her to see the molten gold of his eyes. His beasts were there, silently promising that better things were definitely waiting for them. Just as quickly as his eyes changed color, they returned to the dark brown she adored.
The driver pulled up to the flower shop and Declan got out, offering her his hand. “Thanks for the ride,” she said.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too.” She shut the door and the driver pulled away.
“It’s very handy to have a service like that.”
She went into the app and rated the driver, giving him a bigger tip than usual for the holidays. “I left my car at Neve’s, or I would’ve driven us here. I haven’t used the app much, but when I’ve needed a car it’s been great. Plus,” she said lowering her voice, “being driven around makes me feel special. Which is kind of nuts.”
His head fell back as he laughed. “You’re very special, honey.”
She took his hand and they walked into the shop, the sweet scent of flowers filling her as she inhaled deeply. There were four customers in line at the counter, some looking impatient. She and Declan walked past them and into the back, where Layne and Danny were hurriedly putting flowers together.
Layne looked up, her hand poised above a red vase. White roses lay on the counter, waiting to be arranged. She dropped the rose she’d been holding and hurried over, hugging Ellie.
“You’re here! Did you get a call from my guardian angel that I needed help?”
Ellie laughed. “No, sorry. I knew you’d be busy and I came to help out a little. This is my… new friend, Declan. Declan, this is my boss, Layne, and her husband, Danny.”
Danny looked up as he trimmed a lily to fit into a basket. He poked it into the foam and brushed his hands on his pants as he joined them.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Layne said.
“Welcome, Declan.” Danny shook Declan’s hand.
“Declan has to go to work in a little bit, but he and I can help out in the meantime,” Ellie said.
“You have to leave soon?” Layne asked, turning her delicate wrist to look at the gold watch.
“I can stay, but he has to leave.”
Layne blew out a breath, then clasped Ellie’s hands. “I’m so thankful you’re here.”
The sweet gratitude made Ellie’s chest hurt. It was going to be hard to say goodbye to her. “What can we do?”
After hanging up their coats, Declan went to work with Danny, trimming flowers and running back and forth to the refrigerators to get the plants that were needed for the baskets. Ellie headed to the front to help the customers who were waiting. The number had nearly doubled. She found the arrangements for the customers who had placed advanced orders, grabbed them from the fridge, and took payment. She bundled roses by the dozens in pretty candy cane-striped paper, sold several pre-made centerpieces, and cleared out the majority of waiting customers in the first hour. There was a steady stream of people coming in for flowers, but with her and Declan’s help, they were able to keep things moving efficiently.
Declan joined her behind the counter as she accepted payment for a potted orchid that the customer said was going to be a gift for his mother.
“I have to get going, honey,” Declan said in a low voice.
She looked at the big clock on the wall and silently cursed. “I can’t believe the time went by so fast. I really didn’t think they’d be so busy. I was hoping to be able to sit with you and them and chat.”
He chuckled. “Trust me, Ellie, we chatted plenty. They’re as protective of you as any parents I’ve ever known. They care for you and wanted to know that I was going to be a good guy for you.”
“Did you tell them?”
He shook his head. “It’s not my place to tell, so I’ll leave that to you.”
“Thanks,” she said dryly.
“Walk me out?”
She nodded and walked into the back with him so he could say goodbye to Layne and Danny. Then they grabbed their coats and she took him out the back way into the alley. It was pitch black out, security lights coming on over the door as they stepped out. They walked far enough away so no one would see them.
“Have a good flight,” she murmured.
“I’ll miss you.”
“Me, too. Who’s coming to bring me home?” she asked.
He kissed her swiftly, a low growl rumbling in his chest.
“What was that for?” she asked, slipping her arms around his neck.
“You called it home.”
“Oh! I guess I did. It feels like home.”
“Good. Where you are is home for me, too.”
He pressed the button on the tracker and a voice answered. “Are you able to chat?”
“Yeah, Ellie and I are in an alley.”
“I was wondering when you were going to check in. People are getting antsy with you not being here already.”
“Sorry. It got hectic, and I lost track of time.”
“No worries. Hayden and his mate, Fiona, are going to come pick Ellie up. They’ll be there in an hour.”
“That’s nice of them both to come,” Ellie said.
“They’ll come to the shop and say Declan sent them to pick you up,” the man continued.
“Okay, thanks.”
“I’ll be up in a few,” Declan said before ending the communication.
He lifted Ellie’s wrist and gestured to the tracker. “There are males in the security office. Even though I won’t be reachable, there are people there to help if you need it. Press this side button, explain you’re my mate, and ask for help.”
“What kind of help?”
“Like if Hayden and Fiona don’t show up. Or if something comes up and you want to come back before they arrive.”
“Got it. Thanks for arranging everything. I would’ve felt bad just
leaving Layne a message instead of getting to say goodbye. And thank you especially for helping them. I know they appreciated it.”
“It’s easy to see why they’re special to you. I was happy to help and get to see you in your element.”
She felt like a million bucks. Her mate was the sweetest guy on Earth. “Have a safe trip.”
“I will, honey. You be safe, too.”
“I’ll see you at home.”
“With a red bow, right?” He gave her a lascivious grin that made parts south tingle.
“You got it.”
She knew just where to get red ribbon.
His teasing smile slipped away as he grew serious. “I’m so glad you’re mine, Ellie. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I feel the same way.”
“We’ve got plenty to talk about when it comes to our future, but just so you know, I plan to spend every second of our lives together making sure you’re the happiest female on the planet.”
“You’re off to a really good start,” she said.
He kissed her once more, so deeply and passionately that she felt it all the way to her toes. Then he looked down the alley to ensure they were alone, stepped farther into the shadows, blew her a kiss, and told her to turn away so she wasn’t blinded by the light.
She blew him a kiss, whispered “Goodbye,” and then turned her back to him. Brilliant white light lit up the alley followed by a soft whooshing sound. She turned around and saw she was alone. Lifting her gaze to the night sky, she knew Declan was already back in NPC, getting ready for the Christmas Eve run.
A glance at the tracker told her the hour was going to dwindle fast.
She walked back into the shop and was greeted with Layne’s knowing look. “He’s more than a friend, I think.”
“Yeah.”
“And you’re here tonight because of him.”
She nodded, a lump forming in her throat. “I met him at Neve’s. He’s a friend of Tom’s. He doesn’t live in the area, and he asked me to come with him. I know it seems fast, but it feels very right and I want to go with him.”
