Walking over to her, I hand her Emily. “Here, can you hold her while I go get food? Thanks.”
Callum shoots me a concerned look, but Declan stays by her side. I know she’s a good person. I can feel it in my gut.
Even looking back at her as I leave the room, I can see the way she is worried about holding Emily. She doesn’t want to do anything to hurt her or upset us. If she was so evil, why would she care about strangers?
Besides, with Declan there, Emily is perfectly safe. My husband can get over himself.
I leave them in the living room as I make my way to the kitchen. I hear the doorbell ring as I grab one of the trays with finger foods on it.
Cleo and I planned this whole night out. We would start with finger foods and drinks in the living room while we open gifts. Then we move on to dinner. After dinner, we will send the men outside with cigars while us women get to catch up. Before it gets too late, we will all head out to our own homes and spend the evening with each other.
I just hope Kai isn’t too mad at her. I’d hate to have ruined her Christmas.
I take the tray back to the living room to see that Kenji, Miya, and Kado have joined us.
All three are looking at Nikita warily as she holds Emily. Emily is none the wiser. She’s laughing up at Nikita as she softly baby talks her.
That only makes me smile.
Setting down the tray of food on the coffee table, I move to Miya and pull her into a hug.
“Hey girl. How are you?”
“Good.” she says loudly before whispering in my ear, “Why is she here? Kai is going to flip. Kenji is already pissed.”
I pull back, pasting a bright smile on my face. “Have you met Nikita? She’s a friend of Cleo and mine.”
Kenji snorts. “Does Kai know that?”
“He does,” Kai announces as both he and Cleo come back into the room.
Cleo’s face is red, but she doesn’t look like she’s been crying. From the aura coming off her, I’d venture to say she eased her husband’s worries the way only his woman can.
Kenji and Kai exchange a look before Kenji relaxes. Whatever he saw in his boss’s eyes changed the vibe of the whole room.
“Nikita, welcome to our home,” Kai offers graciously.
It’s a Christmas miracle. The man is scary as hell, but he’s offering an olive branch. It’s for his wife, but still, Nikita looks up at him like a deer caught in headlights as she quietly thanks him.
She focuses back on the baby, breaking everyone from the sudden silence.
“Drinks. Everyone needs drinks,” I announce and move back toward the kitchen.
Cleo follows me.
“What the hell happened? Are you okay?” I hiss at her.
“Of course I am. Kai was a little angry, but he’s okay now.”
I snort. “Oh, I bet he is. You’re practically seeping out sexual vibes, girl.”
She blushes. “Shhh. Let’s just get them their drinks and start the gifts.”
I laugh but do as she asks, bringing everyone eggnog. Declan scrunches his nose up at it, but reluctantly thanks me as I hand him his.
“Let’s open gifts!” Cleo exclaims.
Everyone settles as gift after gift is handed out.
