Chapter One –
Christmas planned in a snip!
Drake
“W ill you lot shut up?” I shouted as everyone talked over each other.
“What’s happened?” Ace demanded. “Church is tomorrow.”
“We’re not having church,” I answered as frowns were turned in my direction.
“Then why are we here?” Texas inquired, tapping on the table.
“Christmas,” I replied.
“This is about Christmas?” Apache responded.
“And the Winter Ball. It’s being held on the Saturday before the big day, and attendance is mandatory. Phoe is insisting we wear tuxedos,” I said as appalled looks were shot in my direction.
“Not putting on a penguin suit—ever,” Fish stated.
“You fuckin’ are, all of you, and that’s an order,” I announced and let that sink in. “Your tickets are one thousand per person, so get ready to pay up. And no cuts over the tuxedos, Phoe will kill you all.”
“Prez. We’ve always got away with jeans and a button-down and our colours,” Lex complained.
“I know. This year, Phoe and the old ladies have bees in their bonnets. This time, we are gonna give them exactly what they want. But I’ve got an idea. Go get fitted for the tuxes, and I’ll have the patch embroidered on them,” I ordered.
Everyone beamed and nodded, although they weren’t happy.
“Fine,” Texas replied grumpily. “Is that it?”
“No. We’re taking over from the women and are planning Christmas to take a burden off them,” I explained, and silence fell.
“This is a sick joke, right?” Ghost demanded.
“Nope, we’re going to organise everything. The old ladies only need to buy gifts. Plus, ninety per cent of us are banned from the toy store for another three months,” I muttered, annoyed.
Why supply toys that make a noise? And why do shop owners get irate when they are pressed to hear those sounds? Stupid rules.
“What have you got in mind?” Axel boomed, sounding wary.
“The whole shebang. We’re going to sort breakfast, dinner, and tea, organise the tree, someone’s gonna dress as Santa, and shitloads more. The youngsters need to do a nativity play for Christmas Eve and have snowball fights in the afternoon. I want this to be one the women and kids will remember. And they will recall us taking the time to plan it for them,” I said.
I held back what I didn’t say. Some of us sitting here may not live next year, leading to broken families. I shied away from that, but the same thought crossed their minds: I saw it. Nobody commented, none dared to. The idea that, next Christmas, a few of us might be missing bit deep. I was unwilling to confront that truth and deliberately changed the direction of my thoughts.
“What’s your plans?” Ace asked, breaking the silence.
“Someone to dress up as Santa on Christmas Eve,” I said and sat back.
“That’s me,” Axel boomed.
I joined everyone in smirking; that had been pretty obvious.
“Axel, you can also help the kids make their ornaments. We need Santa footsteps throughout the house, leading from the main tree to each room guests are staying in. Those in Rivendell and Ewok Village are in charge of the footprints there.”
“I’m going to come down the chimney and deliver toys. I’ll get security to record it,” I added, and my brothers exchanged glances.
“Drake, you’re too old,” Apache exclaimed.
“Bullshit, I’ve got plenty of life in me,” I retorted. The cheeky asshole.
“Prez, it’s not that easy to climb down a chimneystack,” Gunner interjected.
“You think I don’t know that?” I challenged.
“What if you get stuck?” Calamity asked.
“What if Phoe sets a fire?” Rock added, and everybody laughed.
“I’m doing the chimney. End of story. We need someone to fetch the tree and volunteers to set it up.”
Everyone shut their mouths. Fuckin’ assholes, the lot of them.
“Right, Texas, grab a pen,” I ordered.
My brothers swapped worried looks.
“Nah, I gave you all a chance. Too late, fuckers. Wild, Cowboy, and Savage, you need to get the three big trees that Phoe puts up. One each in the entrance hall, drawing room, and ballroom. You gotta make sure they’re perfect and then decorate them. Find out from Phoe what colour scheme she wants this year.”
Those three looked pretty pleased with themselves. I think they thought they had the easy part. They were in for a shock.
“Rock, Gunner, and Apache, you are in charge of buying and cooking the turkeys. Liaise with Mrs Ames on how many to buy. Jett, Hunter, Slate, and Blaze, you’re sorting the Santa Christmas toy list. You’re about the only fuckers not banned from the toy shop,” I said.
“Oh, come on, Prez, those lists are a mile long,” Jett exclaimed.
“You had a chance to volunteer, the lot of ya’s; now shut the hell up and suck it up, buttercup,” I ordered. “Rock, Texas, Manny, and Slick, you are in charge of the kid’s nativity play.”
Rock made a choking noise. Texas dropped his pen and gazed at me, horrified.
“Prez, we don’t do a kid’s nativity play,” Slick protested.
“This year, we are,” I stated.
“How the fuck do we plan that?” Texas demanded, looking betrayed.
“Figure it out,” I commanded.
I eyed Ghost, who blanched. “Ghost, you’re in charge of decorating the Hall and getting the extra Christmas Trees for the bedrooms and cabins. Take Ezra, Mac, Fish, and Lowrider to help. We’re going to use the plans Phoe’s drawn up for previous holidays as to who gets what rooms. Why rework it? Everyone, check what room you are in and then you’re responsible for decorating the trees in your bedrooms.
“Ghost, you can also be in charge of the kids’ ornament making with Axel.”
“Christmas Eve afternoon will be the nativity followed by tea at five. Fish, Ezra, and Lowrider, you gotta buy the food and organise it.” I ignored the beleaguered looks sent at me. “Mac, in the evening, we want a singsong; get those who play instruments together. And Mac, you’re also in charge of ensuring the walkways are lit up for the sleighs and toboggans, etcetera. Ace, make sure there are snacks for the singing and sleigh-ride evenings.”
Ace smirked and laughed.
“Ah, not done yet, fucker. You’re getting the Christmas breakfast food, and you can aid Axel and Ghost in supervising the kid’s ornament making.” Ace blanched, and I grinned.
“Wild, Cowboy, and Savage help with Christmas Night’s games. Calamity, Gauntlet, Klutz, with the prospects, you’re decorating the Hall and wrapping gifts,” I said, and they looked appalled, apart from my kids.
“I ain’t got a clue how to wrap presents,” Calamity snapped.
“Learn. Obviously, the old ladies will wrap the presents for their children, but we gotta do the Santa ones. Apache, you’ve got the cookie decorating, and Ace, you’re sorting the kids’ carrots and milk. If I think of other shit, I’ll let you know. Start planning now. And those in charge of the food, you ain’t expected to cook it apart from the turkeys. Get with Phoe and ensure the caterers are booked,” I said and leaned back. “You can all leave, bar the prospects.”
Chairs scuffed and boots stomped as the room emptied. The former prospects remained behind. I guessed they’d forgot they held brother’s patches now.
I grinned at the current prospects, and Carmine winced.
“Shit, I recognise that look of Dad’s,” he whispered to Harley.
“Think I don’t?” Harley muttered.
Grey turned to them and frowned before turning back to face me.
“Prez?” he asked.
“We are doing Christmas. Which means you’re taking part. Phoe always goes big, so we’re going to show her we can be just as good as her,” I stated.
Beside me, Ace nodded. The prospects appeared worried at how gleeful Ace looked.
“Dad, no offence, Mom has years of doing this, you’ve got none,” Christian replied.
I regarded the men in front of me. All bar one were my sons. And they knew exactly how overboard their mother went.
“You’re doing what I say and will smile while doing it,” I snarled.
“Yes, Prez,” Cody responded instantly, but Grey continued to regard me suspiciously.
I hid a smirk at Cody’s reaction.
“We’ve got a lot of little kids, and they all believe in Santa. And Santa has helpers,” I drawled, and Ace chuckled.
“The fuck I’m putting on an elf outfit!” Cody exclaimed. “Not a chance in hell.”
“Wrong, son. You six are going out and buying costumes, and you’re going to dress up and make the babies happy,” I retorted.
“Not happening,” Grey shot back.
I pulled myself up. “This ain’t a request. It’s an order!”
“Costumes, Dad?” Christian asked.
“Yes, for all of you! Oh, and plan something for Boxing Day. Your mother celebrates it, and we’ll hold the party for the prospects who got promoted then,” I ordered.
Ace chuckled as he and I left the room.
Christian
As Dad and Ace left, the former prospects laughed. I turned a scowl on them.
“You all still wear a prospect patch. You should dress up, too,” Cody pointed out.
“As of yesterday, we don’t. Drake handed us full patches. But we ain’t been treated like prospects for ages. Drake just never got the time to patch us in. He’s holding a celebration at Christmas for us,” Savage replied with a grin.
“This sucks,” Carmine whined.
Tye glared. “This will be a nightmare. Let’s be honest, Dad’s good at organising rides and so on, but an entire event? We better start sorting a back-up plan.”
As my brothers bitched, my mind raced ahead. Dad hadn’t actually ordered us to get elf costumes, which is why I’d pressed the issue. I had learned to be sneaky from the best.
“I think it’s time we disappear,” Wild said, laughing at us.
“Hate the lot of you,” Jared snarled as the former Rage prospects disappeared.
As soon as they were alone, I turned to everyone with a grin.
“What are you smiling about?” Carmine demanded. “Molly will tease me about this forever.”
“Dad ordered us to get an outfit,” I replied and chuckled.
“Oh, we know,” Grey responded in disgust.
“Why are you grinning?” Aaron bitched.
“Dad said a costume,” I repeated.
Everybody looked at me blankly, and I smiled. “Dad demanded we get outfits, but he didn’t state which ones. Did anyone hear Dad order us to be elves? We stated we weren’t going to dress as elves, and Dad ordered us to buy costumes. Dad didn’t especially mention us being elves.”
“That’s true,” Carmine drawled with a grin.
“Nope, Prez said we need to dress up,” Grey agreed.
“Nothing about elves whatsoever,” Cody added.
“A snowman doesn’t seem too bad,” Jared mused.
“Eight snowmen costumes coming up.” Harley began tapping on his phone.
“Hey, stop, look at that. And they come in big fucker sizes, order some of them,” I exclaimed, leaning over his shoulder and pointing at a picture.
“Nobody could say we disappointed Dad.” Aaron laughed as Harley placed the order.
“They’re being delivered to Grey,” Harley said. “We don’t want the nosey fucks around here finding out what we’re up to.”
“Nope, because they will fuck us up. Order the elf costumes because some idiot will have to wear them,” Grey suggested.
“We better make some back-up plans,” I added, glancing around. “Because without us, this will go to hell in a handbasket.”
“With that lot? Damn right. Thank Christ, we’ve got years of experience on them,” Cody agreed.
The eight of us conspirators swapped glances, and all high-fived before laughing. Payback was a bitch, and for once, the prospects would win over the brothers.
Cody
“Mom? Have you seen Mrs Ames?” I called as I exited the hallway.
“She’s having a break before the stampede,” Mom shouted back.
“Thanks,” I replied and walked into the kitchen. I poured a cup of tea and one mug of coffee and headed to the small lounge that Mrs Ames liked to use.
The Ames’s had full access to everything in the house and the estate and were regarded as family. If they wished to eat with us, they could. If they wanted to use the sauna, pool room, or bowling alley, they were welcome to. Security staff living on site were treated similarly.
“Cody, what do I owe this pleasure to?” Mrs Ames questioned as I entered and found her.
“Christmas, Mrs Ames. Have you heard what’s happening?” I asked.
Mrs Ames grinned and began laughing. “Yes. This is going to be fun.”
“It’s gonna be a shitshow,” I replied, and she laughed again.
“Yes, I know. Why are you here?”
“The prospects have a back-up plan. First off, did Mom book the catering staff?” I inquired.
“Yes. Phoe books them each Christmas, when she pays their bonus. So, they’re already booked. Zara will be here on Christmas morning to prepare breakfast, and they’ll stay through to the evening buffet,” Mrs Ames said.
“That’s one problem solved. Mrs Ames, will they also bring food?”
“Do they need to?” she asked, puzzled.
“Consider how many are coming, and then think about who’s buying it,” I replied.
Mrs Ames winced.
“How short are they going to fall?” she questioned.
“Let’s go with three-quarters,” I suggested.
“Okay, Cody, let’s get our heads together. I could have our suppliers order the extra, and if we don’t need it, I’ll donate to a shelter,” Mrs Ames said.
I nodded happily. The food would be organised, if nothing else.
Phoe
I handed over the toy list to a sulky-looking Jett. He was balefully staring at me as he glanced down and winced.
“Jett, you know you have to buy these toys early. Christmas will see most items sold out; be warned. You can’t leave this to the last minute,” I said.
“Phoe, we’re fine. Blaze has organised everything. Slate and Hunter are also helping. The kids will have their presents from Santa,” Jett replied cockily. He turned to walk away, and I reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
“Jett, seriously, start purchasing these now. The toys with stars on are the ones that’ll be in hot demand leading up to Christmas. You’ve got about seven weeks; you need to begin buying,” I insisted.
“Phoe, take a chill pill. We’re good.”
Worried, I gazed at Jett. Typical male, Jett didn’t get it.
“Okay!” I replied, and my mind began making a back-up plan. “Where are you going to keep them?”
“Huh?” Jett stopped walking away and turned to me.
“You can’t store them at home; your kids will find them. The clubhouse and hall are off-limits too. Too many children in and out. Jett, where will you hide the toys?” I asked.
“Er. Blaze has an idea,” Jett cheerfully sacrificed Blaze, who’d just walked in.
“Blaze, you cannot keep the presents in one of Ali-kat’s barns. That’s an easy place to search. This is a disaster in the making!” I cried.
“Phoe. It’s fine. We’re gonna put them where you do, well, when you tell us where you hide them,” Blaze soothed, catching on to the problem quickly.
“Blaze, I’ve told Jett and am telling you. Those need to be bought now. If you leave it until a week or two before Christmas, you won’t get them,” I repeated my earlier concern.
“Phoe, stop worrying. Everything will be perfect, or Drake will kill us,” Jett muttered, and then he perked up. “Hey, at least Sin’s not mad at me this year. She’s not pregnant!”
“No!” Blaze and I hissed at him, and Jett’s face fell.
“You jinxed Sin!” I cried.
“Dude, what the fuck? You had to tempt fate.” Blaze shook his head in despair.
“Sin is going to shoot you,” I exclaimed, giggling.
“I’m gonna double wrap,” Jett said, paling. “We’ve got six kids. Sin will murder me if I knock her up again.”
Blaze fell apart, laughing at Jett’s dejection. “Dude, I thought you were having the op?”
“I am. It’s booked for after Christmas. It’s Sin’s surprise gift,” Jett admitted.
“You’re getting the snip for Sin’s Christmas present?” I asked, aghast.
“Snip?” Jett questioned, puzzled.
“The English call a vasectomy the snip. Are you honestly getting Sin that? As a gift?”
Blaze began to chuckle as I shook my head.
“Yup,” Jett said happily. “Sin won’t want to kill me as much.”
“Wow, just wow. I’m lost for words,” I admitted.
“What?” Jett snapped.
“I hope the fuck you’ve got Sin a proper present!” I exclaimed.
“Me getting the chop is one!” Jett retorted.
Blaze chuckled. He and I swapped glances, and I shook my head.
“Jett, get your ass to a jeweller and buy the woman diamonds. Expensive ones. Sin’s earned them after spitting out five kids and adopting Amelia!” I ordered.
“You think Sin will want them?” Jett asked, scratching the back of his neck. “Me getting the chop isn’t enough of a present?”
“There’re some boots Sin wants too. I’ll call Windfell’s and get them to put them aside in your name. And there is a really nice coat. You’ll buy Sin them and diamonds. Expensive diamonds, Jett, are you listening to me?”
“Yes!” Jett snapped.
“Bugger off,” I told him and turned to Blaze. “Ali-kat?”
“Ali-kat has the ATV she’s been drooling after, a pair of ruby earrings, and I’ve bought her some new clothes,” Blaze said quickly.
I sighed in relief. At least someone had their head screwed on.
“Make sure you buy those toys early!” I ordered, and Blaze nodded before disappearing.
I whistled through my teeth. We needed a back-up plan like… yesterday.