Page 62 of Santa Daddies

Our conversation shifts from there, turning more to the community of friends they’ve built who are Daddies and boys. I get a rundown of everyone along with an invite to come hang out with them the next time there’s a big gathering.

“We all get together often. It’s kind of our own little family.” Grant smirks. “Since you’re not a cop, we can even introduce you to the mafia friends.”

I scowl. “Don’t go tempting me with stuff I could have used a while back. I still have contacts in the force.”

“Yeah, but you wouldn’t separate a Daddy from his boy because of something so silly asthe law, would you?”

Grant’s words come out teasing. I can tell from the tone, but also because he works in the very same law he’s now mocking. Maybe his standards are different since he’s a lawyer who handles business stuff. I bet if he took on criminal cases, he’d be singing a different tune.

By the time we wrap up and get back to the office, I’m more than ready to tackle the mail from Percy that morning. I tell Grant I’ll work on that next unless he has something for me to do.

“Nope. You’re good to work on that. I will shut my door for a bit since I have two calls I need to make back to back. After that we can go over more of what you’ll be doing.”

“Sounds great. Good luck in the meetings.”

As soon as his door closes, I pull the letter opener from the desk drawer and get to work. First step is opening everything. Once that’s done, I sort them by size. After that, I pull each item out and go over it.

I start from largest to smallest, since I prefer to take on more at first and work my way down to the simpler tasks. As I go, I make note of anything I think Grant needs to look at urgently. The farther I get, the more accomplished I feel.

Everything comes skidding to a halt when I flip over an envelope and see it’s addressed to Santa Claus. Guilt runs through me at the thought of already opening this letter meant for someone else. It’s quickly followed by curiosity because… who is trying to mail a letter to Santa in the NightShade offices?

Before I can think better of it, I’m pulling the letter out to read it. I notice the drawings on the edges right away. They’re cute and whimsical. Then I read the letter itself.

Time stops.

The clouds part.

My heart races.

It’s a letter asking Santa to bring this person a Daddy. They want to be like their friend and be taken care of. The words are equal parts adorable and heartbreaking. I want to wrap this person in a hug.

The signature says it’s from Jared. It makes me wonder if this is the same Jared who Grant told me wasn’t good at paperwork. That would definitely explain how outgoing mail managed to make it here.

What am I supposed to do now though? Do I mail it and let things play out? Or do I accept the gift the universe has tossed in my lap and meet this young man to see if we’re compatible?

I don’t have to think it over for long. Daddy or not, I can’t pass this up.

Chapter Five

Jared

I'm balancing multiple containers of cookies as I approach the NightShade offices. It's one of those not-so-fun snowy days in the city where everything is super cold and the wind is blasting, and I'm worried that I'm going to fall at any minute.

But I couldn'tnotbring treats for everyone.

Not only do the guys depend on me to provide sweets for them, but it's pretty much my love language. And it's Christmas.

Three reasons are enough for me to do this.

As I approach the door, I try to peer over the sky-high containers in my arms for someone to help me get inside. I'm lucky enough that I hear "Let me get that" right as I reach it. I turn to see Archie jogging up. I grin at him, saying, "Thanks, Arch.”

He smiles, dipping his head as he holds the door steady. “Looks like you got a variety there this time. Want to tell me all the flavors?”

I rattle off each one that Benji prepared. “Snickerdoodle, red velvet, chocolate chip, white macadamia, sugar, brown sugar, and his super-secret candy coated one.”

Archie rubs his stomach as he walks beside me toward the elevators. It's pretty bare bones tonight considering the party is in the ballrooms upstairs. Tank had the space renovated because he wanted to make sure he could keep things secure for his team. After all the stuff that happened last year with the bad guys and the attempted murders and such—yeah, I know, total mood killer—we have to be cautious. Which means that anyone who is not a NightShade employee or a guest of one isn't allowed in the building right now.

Tim and Jim, the security guards I adore, wave at me, then motion for me to head on up. They're debriefing some other guys who typically work security at Club Deny. They'll take over so those two can party with the rest of us in a bit. At least that’s the plan Tank filled me in on, so I’m hoping it’s the case.