Page 30 of Dark Christmas

To leave a longer trail of bodies.

Chapter 16

Melor

“This one’s a bleeder,” one of the guys mutters in thickly accented English, chuckling as he pulls the tarp tightly around the body. “My wife will think I’ve been butchering pigs again.”

They laugh, low and grim, the kind of dark humor only men like them can understand. They’ve done this so many times, it’s practically routine. I stay quiet, not joining in their macabre candor.

I have no problem taking a life when I need to, but I’ve seen men get comfortable with it.Toocomfortable. It changes you, twisting something inside until killing becomes just another routine task. I swore long ago never to allow myself to get to that point.

“I could do this in my sleep,” another cleaner mutters as he zips up his duffel bag. I glance at him but don’t respond. I’m not interested in small talk, especially not about this. My phone chimes, and I pull it out, glancing at the screen. The notification shows footage from the front door camera. It’s Amelia, slipping out, and hurrying across the street.

Of course.

I sigh, sliding the phone back into my pocket. “I’ve got a problem I need to handle,” I tell the cleanup crew. “Keep things moving here. I’ll be right back.”

One of them raises an eyebrow. “Need us to handle that problem for you, boss?”

I shake my head, already heading for the door. “No. This one’s mine.”

Amelia’s about to learn that no matter how fast she runs, she’s in too deep to escape now.

It’s late, close to midnight. I walk up to the porch, scanning the quiet, dim street.

I test the handle. It’s locked, but that doesn’t stop me. With a quiet, practiced motion, the soft click of the lock gives way. I push the door open, stepping inside without a sound.

She gasps, her eyes going wide as soon as she sees me standing there. I stroll in, calm and controlled, effortlessly slipping the duffel bag from her shoulder, and setting it on the floor beside her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask.

She crosses her arms, defiant. “If I’m in danger, I’m getting out of Dodge. You can let me know when the coast is clear.”

Despite the situation, I feel a spark of admiration. She’s tough, insistent on standing her ground, and I like that. She’s also scared—I can see it in the way her breath catches, the hesitance in her stance—but she’s not crumbling.

“You don’t need to run away,” I say, stepping closer. “The only way to guarantee your safety is if you stay with me.”

Her expression softens, and she bristles, pulling back slightly. “I can’t just put my life on hold, Melor. I have a job, friends,a business to run.”

I stare at her for a long moment, letting her words hang between us. She doesn’t get it yet. She thinks she can outrun this. I take another step forward, my eyes locked on hers.

“You don’t have any other options,” I say, my voice cold and final. “If you want to live, you’ll come with me.”

Her eyes narrow. “Can’t you just keep an eye on me from across the street? You know, without all the drama?”

I let out a sharp laugh, causing her to flinch. “You have no security cameras, and I was able to pick the lock on your front door in under twenty seconds. I wouldn’t be able to get to you in time if they come for you here.

“My place is the only option. It’s locked down and reinforced. Secure as it gets. And I’m the best protection you’re going to find, whether you like it or not.”

She glares at me defiantly. “How can you say that? Those guys were able to get into your place, so maybe it isn’t as secure as you seem to think it is.”

I nod, granting her that concession. “That was a one-time error. It will not happen again.”

She opens her mouth to speak but I cut her off. “You have no idea what you’re up against. The men who want me dead? They’ll useyouto get to me. And they won’t just kill you, Amelia. They’ll do things to you that you can’t even imagine. You think you’rescared now? You have no clue what terror awaits you if you don’t listen to me.”

Her face pales slightly, and I press further. “I can keep you safe. It won’t be for long; you can work on your book. Hell, I’ll set up a whole space for you, make sure you’re comfortable. You can even bake in my kitchen if you want.”

She’s silent for a moment, staring at me like she’s weighing her options. But her only option is me.