Garnish with a Candy Cane: A Christmas Novella

  Garnish with a Candy Cane: A Mafia Christmas Novella

  Nikki Belaire

  Copyright © 2020 Nikki Belaire

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright

  About This Book

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Bonus Epilogue

  Other Books

  About the Author

  Deals made when you’re drunk don’t count, right?

  Wrong. At least according to mob boss Duke Toscani. Our alcohol-induced agreement is simple – He’s mine and I’m his.

  What he doesn’t realize though is I’m a package deal. My grandmother took care of me when I was orphaned, and now it’s my turn to take care of her. Even if I have to work three jobs and skip a few meals and good nights’ sleep to do it. She may believe in Christmas miracles, but I’ll need a lot more than Santa’s elves to save me from the man on the very top of the naughty list.

  Author’s note: Garnish with a Candy Cane is fun, funny, and completely safe, if not totally sane standalone novella. Celebrate the holiday season with a guaranteed happily ever after romance.

  It has been a shit ass day, and I don’t know why in the hell the people who work for me can’t comprehend what ‘do not disturb me’ means. The heavy knock sounds again, forcing me to open my eyes and grab my gun. I swear to god this stupid motherfucker is going to die tonight.

  I shove out of my chair and stride around my desk to the door, yanking down the handle and aiming right between Cedric’s wide brown eyes. “What motherfucker? What?”

  So used to my temper, he doesn’t even flinch from the tip of my Glock aimed inches from his forehead. He just points to the girl under his grip, who flails in her five-inch silver heels next to his hulking body.

  “Sorry boss but I caught her snooping around out here and thought maybe we should talk to her. You know, in case she works for Matteo or something.”

  Or something. I roll my eyes. Good thing this dumb ass can literally kill a man with one hand and is loyal as fuck to me. Otherwise, I’d drive a bullet into his thick, stupid brain. “Look at her Cedric. She can barely stand. I don’t think she’s a fucking spy.”

  He glances down at her again. Uncertainty lines his broad face from her swaying and smiling. Seemingly unconcerned that I almost just shot her captor. Or hell that she’s even fucking captive at all. Jesus. I don’t have time for this shit. Shoving my weapon in my back waistband, I lean closer to her so I can figure out how in the hell to get rid of her. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

  Fuck me if she doesn’t look up at me with the most beautiful grin radiating from her gorgeous face. “I’m drunk.”

  “Yeah no shit.” I have to chuckle at the obvious admission. Luckily, she’s cute enough to pull off being an adorable lush, and I’m gentleman enough not to take advantage. “You here with some friends? A boyfriend maybe?”

  “I don’t usually drink but tonight I drank a whoooooooooole bunch…” A small hand slices through the air hitting me right in the gut although she doesn’t seem to notice. “….because Heidi said I needed to have some fun.”

  Well she looks like she’s having fun. Kind of. Her delicate ankle twists from the awkward movement of advocating her reasons for her excessive liquor intake, and Cedric tightens his grasp to keep her from tumbling to the floor. I don’t know why I should care, but I don’t like his huge fist wrapped around her tiny bicep. For some reason I can’t explain, I don’t like him touching her.

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Why in the fuck am I making her inebriation and his stupidity my problem? I should toss both of their asses out. Instead, I step back like a damn moron myself and point to the sofa. “All right, bring her in and put her over there.”

  Returning to his normal obedient behavior, he leads her inside and sits her on the middle cushion. Pushing her shoulders back so she doesn’t topple forward. After a few seconds she relaxes and sinks into the plush black leather, rubbing her dainty hands across the thick fabric in what I assume is approval of her new and more comfortable position.

  Waiting for his next order, Cedric watches her too. Which also irritates me more than it should. I don’t like him looking at her either. “Go have Tommy check the monitors to see if a girl seems to be looking for someone. She’s probably going to be freaking out soon, if she isn’t already.”

  “You got it, boss.”

  Happy to be assigned a task, the bodyguard sprints out, eager to complete his mission. Which could take hours since we have no idea what Heidi looks like or if she’s even still here. I’m exhausted, but this one seems harmless so I’ll let her stay while they search as long as she doesn’t get on my nerves. Because then I’m really going to toss her out and let whatever happens to her, happen. I don’t give a fuck. Even though she looks so small and defenseless and fragile she probably shouldn’t even be in here in the first place since I’m the one she should fear the most. Damn it.

  I pour myself a double and sit down across from her. At least I get to enjoy the view of her slender legs as her short purple dress creeps further and further up her thighs while I interrogate her. “Is Heidi here with you tonight? Is that who you came with?”

  A decisive nod makes strands of her blond hair, beginning to slip from the looped ponytails she has high on her head, swish up and down her bare arms. “She was but she started dancing with some guy and whoosh…” She throws her hands up in the air for emphasis. Forcing her round tits to strain against her halter and my cock to raise a little too in appreciation. “…she got sucked into the crowd and never came back.”

  That sounds about right. On a busy Friday night we’re dealing with thousands of partiers across four levels. Easy to lose someone in here. “So what’re you doing creeping around my office?”

  “I had to go to the bathroom.” She blinks a few times and twists her head side to side, with awe brightening her flushed face. “You have a really nice bathroom.”

  Sure, it’s easy to confuse an office with a bathroom when you’re flooded with booze. “Thanks. Just don’t piss on the sofa.”

  “Too late.”

  Shit. I slam my glass down on the table between us and jerk forward, peering between her slightly parted legs. The area under her ass appears dry. Thank fuck.

  “I already went…on…the…toilet.” She speaks very slowly, enunciating each syllable as if I’m the one who’s wasted and needs to have things explained to me. “I peed on the toilet.”

  Well at least that’s confirmed. I lean back
again and grab my scotch. Sucking down a long swallow to try and relax along with her. She’s cute, I’ll give her that. Only slightly annoying. Although I have to admit I’m enjoying the unfiltered and totally humorous conversation. “Why does Heidi think you need to have some fun?”

  My question makes her frown, and me regret asking, when her bubbly demeanor fades. She curls her arms around her torso and her chin drops down to her chest in shame as she cuddles into herself.

  “She says that’s the best way to forget about Tristan. She says I deserve way better than that asshole.”

  Of course it’s an asshole who’s made her drink to oblivion. At least the acknowledgment confirms she’s single. I don’t need to be beating some wannabe’s ass who comes in her trying to claim her. “I think Heidi’s right. You do deserve better.”

  Luminous emerald eyes meet mine, sparkling full of earnest hope. “You really think so?”

  No reason to lie. Anybody that would treat a sweet girl like her bad has to be an asshole and an idiot. “Yeah, I do.”

  “Aww, thank you!” She squirms in her seat, wiggling with a little happy dance of joy and gratitude. “Well I think you deserve better than an asshole too.”

  She has no idea. “Tell that to my ex’s.”

  “Okay.” Her glassy gaze sweeps across the room again, and her brow wrinkles as she studies the empty space. Confused by just the two of us in here. “Where are they?”

  I can’t help but chuckle. “Don’t worry about it. You can tell them later.”

  Apparently I’m hysterical because she giggles too. “Okay.”

  I love this girl’s laugh, cheerful and carefree. But I can tell by her level of intoxication she won’t be this happy tomorrow. I slide out my phone and text Andrea to bring me an orange juice for her. That should help some to ease the hangover.

  “What’s your name?”

  Looking up from my screen, I’m pleasantly surprised to find her palms stroking sensually down her legs just like I would be if I wasn’t being a nice guy tonight. “Duke Toscani.”

  “Duke.” She nods in all seriousness despite the slight slur to her pronunciation. “I like that.”

  Glad she approves. “I like that you like it.”

  Her body jerks as if struck by lighting and she bolts up, amazement engulfing her expression. “You know what? If we get married, I’d be your Duchess.”

  This time I shake my head at her. Way too much baggage and bullshit in my past for the kind of optimism a marriage warrants. “Well Duchess, I don’t want to get married.”

  “Me neither. But Heidi says I need to get fucked. Do you think I need to get fucked?”

  More sincere than I’d ever expect from such a loaded question. I estimate the club’s receipts in my head to try and keep my dick in check from the thought of her naked and bouncing on my lap. “Everybody needs to get fucked sometimes. A good hard fuck alleviates a lot of stress.”

  Creates a lot of stress sometimes too but we don’t have to go there. Not an issue anyway since she’s apparently already moved on from the thought. Squinting again, she tilts toward me, studying my face before she points to me and back to herself with an errant finger. “What about me? Am I fuckable? Would you want to fuck someone like me?”

  Jesus. Calculating tonight’s take isn’t enough anymore and my dick pulses hard, ready and eager against my zipper. “More than you know.”

  The huge smile returns. “I’d like that too.”

  She must not like the idea too much because she doesn’t move. Doesn’t try to fuck me or get me to fuck her. Just keeps still, sprawled back on the pillow, and grins. “I like you Duke Toscani.”

  “I like you too, whatever your name is.”

  Once again, my sarcasm’s totally missed on her, and she doesn’t respond to my prompt.

  “You’re really nice and really tall and really handsome too.”

  She slowly rises, putting her hands out flat as if to balance herself when she lists side to side. When she’s confident on her feet, or so she thinks despite her unsteady gait, she wobbles toward me. Fuck. Neither my cock nor my conscience have enough will power to resist her if she straddles me. Thank fuck she doesn’t. Instead she plops down next to me and cups my cheek as I stare down at her.

  “You have a perfect face. I’d like having sex with you too.”

  Say nothing. Do nothing. Think nothing. Because I don’t have time for this or her or anything with all the shit going on around me.

  A soft knock rattles the door this time. Breaking the spell as both of our attention turns toward the sound. Jerking us out of our fascination with each other as if busted like we were actually doing something wrong. “Come in.”

  Andrea peeks around the wood. Learning her lesson from too many times of being caught off guard by what she found on the other side, she confirms everyone is clothed before she steps inside. Two bottles of juice sit on her tray.

  “Here you go Mr. Toscani.” She motions toward…fuck. I guess Duchess for now. “Cedric gave me the heads up. Is she okay? Do you need any help with her?”

  “Thanks, but I’ve got her.” Fuck. Not her. The situation. All under control. “I’ve got it.”

  My bar manager gives me a professional smile in return. Not hinting in the least bit what she thinks about me or wonders about Duchess. Which is why she works for me, and I pay her so generously. She keeps her opinions to herself and her mind on her work, rather than my personal business.

  “If you need anything else, just let me know.”

  I wait until Andrea closes the door to hop up so she doesn’t see the desire Duchess generates in me. No need to embarrass her or myself any more than I already have in the past when I was young, dumb, and unfocused. At least now I finally have my shit together even if the world around me is still fucking chaos.

  I head to my desk and swipe the Advil from my bottom drawer. Duchess attempts to climb off the couch too but alcohol and gravity win the battle against her malfunctioning coordination. I catch her before she wipes out completely and enjoy her being in my arms way too much. Stupidly I breathe in her peppermint shampoo and fail to resist her cuddling against me when her arms slide around my waist. Welcoming her soft touch and silky skin under my hand. “Careful Duchess. You need to let me help you.”

  “Okay.”

  She rubs her face against my jacket, muffling her voice. Breathing me in just as much. I rattle the bottle to get her attention away from caressing my body and back to minimizing her headache. “Let’s get you sitting again.”

  I easily manhandle her over to the sofa and an inexplicable protectiveness stirs inside me. Grateful that it’s me taking care of her now rather than giving in to my earlier idea of tossing her back into the fray. Bile swills in my stomach from the thought of another man helping her. Or worse, not. Jesus.

  I shake two pills into my palm and uncap the OJ. “Here you go.”

  After a few sips of the liquid to wash down the medicine, she smiles and sighs. “Oh my gosh. This is so good.”

  Her standards are too low. I nod encouragingly and roll my finger forward. “Then drink some more.”

  Obedient and docile, she nods and empties half the container. Dehydration must be already kicking in, which confirms she definitely needs the potassium. Once she seems finished, I take the bottle back before the smooth glass slips through her fingers and set the container on the table. I’m not in the mood to have housekeeping in here cleaning up a mess when all I want is her to myself. To understand how she really ended up with me. “So tell me, what did…” I don’t know why, but I don’t want to say the stupid motherfucker’s name who dumped her. I am damn crazy tonight. “…your ex do that makes him an asshole?”

  Her hair rustles across the cushion when she shakes her head furiously. Disgust mars her graceful features. “He wants me to leave my grandma behind. He told me if I loved him enough, I would move with him to Houston. But I told him if he loved me enough, he wouldn’t ask me to abandon the only member
of my family I have left.”

  I’m suitably impressed. Too often girls end up losing themselves in a man. My experience anyway. Most of the women I’ve met try to lose themselves in me, when all I usually need is some fun and easy pussy for the night. At least this girl is independent enough to do what she wants.

  “You know what though?’

  “What?”

  A penetrating gaze meets mine, heavy with worry and doubt. “I didn’t even tell Heidi this, but I’m not sad he’s leaving.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Do you want to know a secret?”

  Her exaggerated whisper makes me laugh again since no one else is around to hear us. “Sure.”

  “He hurt me.”

  All the humor fades from her confession. Replaced by a fury for a woman I don’t even really know yet somehow still care about. “What do you mean hurt?”

  She frowns and rubs over her wrist as if she sees something on her ivory skin that upsets her. “He would grab my arm really hard sometimes, squeezing until I cried. I didn’t like it.”

  I don’t like it either. Not one fucking bit. I’ve got to find out who this bastard is so he can know what it feels like to be hurt until he cries.

  “Do you want to know another secret?”

  “Duchess, I want to know all your secrets.”

  This declaration must be good because the smile I already love lights up her stunning face again. All thoughts of that motherfucker vanished already.

  “Okay. When I was seven, I told Maisy I’d be her best friend even though Heidi was already my best friend because I didn’t want her to cry. Once I had a pimple on the end of my nose so I lied and told my grandma I was sick so I could stay home from school. Heidi thought she was pregnant but she was too scared to go to the store to buy the pregnancy test so I skipped class to go with her to buy it. I never wear bikinis or crop tops because I hate this scar I have on my stomach.”

  I can barely comprehend the slew of words she inundates me with when she jumps up, her petite body inches from my knees, and lifts the hem of her dress. The silky fabric raises higher and higher. Past her thighs and over her tiny lavender thong, until the lacy edge brushes her ribcage.