Page 34 of Dark Christmas

Great. I’m going to have to figure out a way to actually step up my skills. “I know it’s coming at the worst time,” I say apologetically.

“Nonsense. I’ll call Susie. She can cover for as long as we need her.”

“You’re the best, Claire,” I tell her, the guilt nearly eating me alive.

“Yeah, I know,” she giggles. “Now go learn some awesome shit.”

We hang up and I walk back into the kitchen, sighing as I put my phone on the counter.

“Everything okay?” Melor asks.

“Yeah. One of our friends from culinary school is going to help out while I’m gone. She helps us from time to time. I just feel so awful lying to my best friend.”

“It’s for the best,” Melor reminds me. “It protects Claire and you to keep her in the dark.”

I nod, knowing he’s right but hate every second of it.

Melor’s eyes flicker with something like another idea sparking. “Come with me,” he says, holding out his hand. “There’s something I want to show you.”

Chapter 18

Amelia

He leads me up the stairs, all the way to the top floor of the house.

He stops in front of a door at the end of the hall and turns to me with a small smile. “I have a space for you, for your writing.”

My mouth drops as he opens the door, revealing a tower room I didn’t even know existed. I step inside and wow—the room is adorable, cozy but not cramped, with big windows that give a stunning view of the city below. Light floods into the space, bouncing off the soft-colored walls and wooden floors. It’s like this hidden magical hideaway all for me.

I gasp, stepping further inside. “Holy shit. This is gorgeous.”

Melor chuckles softly behind me. “I figured if you’re going to be stuck here for a while, you might as well have a place where you can work. Write your book. Think of it as your own little private corner of the house.”

The room is completely devoid of furniture, and I raise an eyebrow, glancing back at Melor.

“You can spend the day picking out whatever you want,” he says “We can’t leave the house, obviously, but you can shop online and order what you like. It’ll be here by tomorrow.”

I blink. Did this man just give me a blank check to decorate my own dream room? “You’re telling me I can just… go wild?”

He nods, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I want you to have a space that’s yours. A place where you can tap into your creative spirit. Have at it and order what you like, make it feel like home.”

My heart does a weird little flutter at that. I glance around the room, already picturing what I could do with it. “Can I grab some stuff from my house, too?”

“Anything you want, if it helps you feel more comfortable.”

I walk over to the windows, and I’m stunned again when I catch sight of the view of the city stretches all the way to the bay. It’s so breathtaking it makes me gasp.

“Thanks,” I murmur.

“I’ll be around if you need anything.”

Once he leaves, I turn back to the window and stare out at the city below.

This nightmare is turning into a dream.

Three weeks later…

I stand in the middle of the grand chamber, glaring at the luxurious “prison” I’ve been forced into.