Mistletoe (K19 Security Solutions 3)

“I forgot about them,” Ava gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. “Those poor little girls. Why didn’t you wake us up?”

“No need to get violent,” he said when she swatted him. Razor looked over at Zary, who had the sheet pulled up to her neck.

“Uh, I think we should give your sister some privacy.” He took Ava and Aine by the hand and pulled them toward the door.

“Hurry up,” Ava hollered back at Zary.

“I’ll be right down after I dress,” she hollered back.

Ava wrenched her hand from Razor’s. “Give me a sec,” she said and walked back to the bedroom door. “It’s Christmas; you’re supposed to stay in your pajamas.”

When Zary didn’t answer, Ava walked back over to him. “Okay, Mr. Pushy, let’s hurry up and get downstairs.”

He nuzzled up against her and pushed her in the direction of their bedroom. “We could take a quick detour.”

“No way,” she smirked. “We can’t hold off Savannah and Sierra any longer.”

Razor left Ava in the kitchen and went to look for Gunner’s sister.

“You were a damn good actress last night,” Razor said to Odette as he followed her out to the garage.

“It’s a good thing my dad had heaters installed out here.”

—:—

“Where did Tabon disappear to?” Ava asked when Zary came downstairs. “Everyone is here but him, now.” She stood to go look for him.

“Odette is missing too,” said Madeline.

Ava heard the front door open, followed by the sound of a small herd of elephants bounding in.

“Puppies!” Savannah and Sierra squealed, trying to corral the three little balls of fur.

“Whose are they?” Sierra asked, giggling when the one she caught licked her face.

“That one is yours and Sierra’s,” Saylor told her daughter.

“And this one is ours.” Tabon handed her the puppy he’d scooped up.

“And what about that one?” Ava asked, pointing to the puppy nuzzling against Zary.

“That one is Gui,” Odette answered, looking at Gunner.

“Seriously?” he asked.

“Yep,” she smiled.

“How could you tell the difference?” asked Ava. “They all look alike. What kind of dogs are they?”

“Odette and I decided that they’d pick their owners, and they did, and they’re mutts. When the shelter told us they had three from the same litter, we scooped them up.”

“Hey, Sis?” said Gunner.

“Yeah,” answered Odette.

“Would you mind if we called him Mistletoe?”

She laughed. “Call him whatever you want. He’s your puppy. I’m just his auntie.”