Page 75 of Jasper

Jasper stood in the doorway, surveying the mess.

Mason looked to Sloane’s hiding spot and then to Jasper. He picked up a chocolate-covered peanut butter ball, dipped it in icing, and threw it at Jasper.

“Hey!”

“Get him!” Sloane shouted, and all three of them turned their weapons on Jasper, whose eyes widened. He tried to duck and dodge but was splattered by the time he squatted next to her.

“Get him?” he asked, and she grinned.

“Better you than me.”

He leaned down and licked the icing off her cheek, causing a shiver to roll through her.

“Mateo?”

“Yes,TíoJasper?” The little boy peeked over the edge of the island.

“Your mama called, and I asked her if you could stay and help me and Sloane decorate the Christmas tree in reception.”

“Really?” His eyes brightened.

“My girl likes Christmas more than Delia does.”

“No way.”

“Yes way. She had the farm decorated like Santa’s workshop.”

“It’s true.” Sloane let Jasper help her to her feet. “If I could have Christmas all year, I would.”

“Me too.” Mateo skipped over to her. “I don’t like Halloween, though.”

“You don’t like trick or treating?”

“Monsters.”

“Well, you do know we wear the masks to hide from the monsters, don’t you?”

“You can’t hide from monsters.” His eyes went flat and a little dead. The change was so quick it was a little scary.

“There are no monsters here, Mateo.” Mason hugged the kid, and his expression cleared. “Why don’t you and Jo go on out to reception and start sorting decorations? I’ll help Sloane pack up all the cookies.”

“I get to take some home, remember? Arielle will want some too.”

“Arielle is his sister,” Jasper whispered.

“I will pack extra just for her,” Sloane promised.

He grinned and skipped along ahead of Jo as they disappeared out of the kitchen.

“What did you tell her about him?” Mason asked as soon as Mateo and Jo were out of hearing range.

“That he’d been raised by the cartel. That’s all.”

Mason nodded. “He wasn’t just raised by them, he was abused by them, forced to witness horrific things. He knows more about real monsters than any of us should ever know in three lifetimes.”

Her heart broke for him. He seemed like such a sweet little boy. To have endured that…

“He likes you, which is weird for him. He’s usually very reserved with new people, but he took your hand. He doesn’t even hold Jo’s hand. Thank you for giving him something to smile about. We all try to make him smile. Some days, we’re lucky enough to drag one out of him, but he hasn’t stopped smiling since he set eyes on those damn kittens of yours.”