Page 15 of The Thief That Stole Christmas (Indulgence)

Zanya

I’m absolutely exhausted. This day has been insane. Amanda and I have been shopping for Christmas gifts for the kids. Not only does she want to get every single toy, game, or accessory requested, we have to buy two new outfits as well as underwear, toiletries, and shoes for each child.

An entourage of scary looking men stay within shouting distance the entire day. Every time we leave a shop, one of them will come closer, take our shopping from us and miraculously make it disappear. On more than one occasion I tried to get her to agree to some online shopping, but this is one determined woman.

I’m incredibly thankful for everything she and Andre are doing for the Haven, though, so I’m sucking it up. It’s also the last shop—or so she’s promised me—meaning the end is in sight.

“I just need to get one more thing. It’s a special request,”

she says as she grabs my hand, pulling me to a nondescript storefront with a simple sign over the door saying The Doll House.

Before I can ask what it is, because I’m the one that sent her the damn list, she pulls me into a brightly lit shop. Everywhere I look there are racks and racks of clothes. For Littles. Of all shapes and ages. Cute rompers, button up shirts in every color with matching pleated skirts, not to mention the onesies.

Oh my goodness, the onesies.

Unicorns, teddies, bunnies and puppies. Zebras and elephants, and oh my…

“Is that a mouse onesie? Manda, tell me that’s a mouse onesie.”

My voice is filled with awe as I take a slow step closer to the clothing item in question.

“Oh! Isn’t it just perfect! And we’ll have to get you a kitten one, too. You can’t play favorites with your Daddies, now can you?”

she says as she walks down another aisle and holds up the cutest calico one, with a fluffy hood and a long tail.

“Where did you find this place? I’ve lived in London my entire life and never heard of a place like this.”

“Oh, sweet, sweet girl, Cameron told me about it. Gave me his card and told me to go nuts. Of course, when big scary Johannes heard about it, he couldn’t be left out, so he’s got his own surprise for you.”

She holds her fingers up to her smiling lips.

“But you have to keep it a secret; I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

I mime zipping my lips before looking back at the contents in the shop.

“I don’t know where to start.”

Without needing any further encouragement from me, Amanda grabs my hand and pulls me along every single clothing rack and shelf. She’s some kind of Jedi shopping master because each time my heart skips a beat or I get excited at the sight of something, she grabs it and hands it to a shop assistant.

I feel like we’ve been in the shop for hours when I finally have more bags than the two of us can carry out. On top of all the cute outfits we got, I added some sexy lingerie, the most amazing bedazzled binkie , and five new stuffies for my collection.

Once we’re loaded into the SUV with all our shopping added into the car following us, I let out a huge breath before allowing a giggle to slip out.

“Manda? That was the most tiring, yet exciting thing I’ve done in a long time.”

“Oh, honey, if that’s true, I’m gonna have to speak to your Daddies. They’re definitely doing something wrong.”

I feel the blush creep up on my face, but still, I join her in laughter.

When we get home Cameron is waiting in the driveway for me. Before the car even pulls to a complete stop I’ve got the door open and I’m running to him at full speed.

“Cameron! You’re here!”

I jump into his arms, peppering his face with kisses when he picks me up, so I’m straddling his waist.

He swats me on my bottom before looking at me with a scowl.

“Kitty Cat. You never jump out of a moving car.”

I look at his chest, some of my joy dimmed at my silly move.

“I’m sorry. I was just so happy to see you so I could thank you for my amazing gift!”

He lifts my face to look at him before smiling down at me.

“I’m glad you’re so excited to see me, love. But you need to be more careful. You’re very important to me. And I’m happy to hear you like your surprise.”

He gives me a kiss on the tip of my nose, letting me know we’re good before carrying on.

“But I have another one for you. Andre is inside the main house with Johannes. I had to beat him at a game of rock-paper-scissors to be the one to meet you outside.”

“Another surprise?”

“Yup, a good one, too. I think you’ll like this one best of all.”

Instead of putting me down and leading me in, he keeps hold of me and heads into the house. When we get to Andre’s office, he places another kiss on my head before gently lowering me to the floor.

Opening the door, he gestures for me to walk in first. And when I do, I stop dead in my tracks, barely two steps in.

There, on a plastic chair, is my uncle Albert. Tied up.

Johannes is standing just behind him, his hand on his shoulder, and Andre is sitting at his desk with a bored expression on his face.

I look to Johannes before questioning.

“What’s this?”

“We finally found all the evidence we needed.”

He clears his throat, steps away from my uncle and holds his arms out to me. Without thinking, I rush into them, accepting the hug I’m in desperate need of. I haven’t really dealt with the feelings of betrayal yet, and being faced with him is a shock.

“You needed for what, Jo?”

“To get you the revenge you want.”

With furrowed brows, I pull out of his arms and look up at him.

“What do you mean?”

Cameron answers.

“You can choose what happens to him, Kitty Cat. You live in our world now. You’re under our protection and part of the family. And in this family, we take care of our own. Part of that is letting you choose what happens to the person that wronged you.”

My heart beat picks up, and not in a nice way. Wiping my suddenly clammy hands on my tights, I look at first Cameron and then Johannes. Finally, I look at the person who will probably always have the final say.

“Do I have to choose now?”

Andre shakes his head before answering.

“Take the time you need. He’ll be kept in a guest room under guard until you’ve figured out what you want. I’ll let Johannes and Cameron take you to the cottage to discuss your options.”

Johannes leads me out of the office and to the front door, but I’m stopped by a concerned looking Amanda. In my excitement at seeing Cameron and rushing into the house, I’d forgotten all about her.

“You okay, honey?”

she asks, pulling me into a brief hug.

I tighten my arms around her and whisper softly.

“I will be”.