Ellie snickered beneath her breath. Her daddy thought she’d stopped. She’d just learned to be sneakier. They just didn’t understand why she did it.
“I did stop playing with animals like the doctor told me too,” she lied. “I’m a good girl.”
He sighed and the worried look didn’t go away. “You sure are trying, honey bunch. But you’ve got to stop hurting the other children.”
She kicked out with her feet, tired of the conversation. It was always about what she couldn’t and shouldn’t do. Nobody let her have any fun.
“But the kids aren’t animals,” she said. “They can run away if they don’t like it. They’re not helpless.”
“Baby, you shouldn’t hurt anybody or anything. I know you don’t want to be a bad girl. You’re so smart, and we love you very much.”
She grinned and hugged his neck. “I love you, daddy.”
“Enough stalling, little girl,” her mom said. “Time for bed or no Santa.”
Ellie narrowed her eyes at her mother and gave her an angry face, and she smiled when her mother backed up a step. She liked that she could scare them.
“Honey, mommy is just excited to get Santa’s cookies and milk set out so we can go to bed too. We’re excited about Santa coming.”
“Oh, daddy. You’re too big for Santa,” she said, giggling.
“Santa has something special for everyone. Even grownups.”
Ellie got ready for bed, put out the cookies and milk, and then hopped into bed. Her mommy tucked her in nice and tight, just how she liked.
“I know Santa will love those special cookies,” he mother said. “He might even share with Rudolph. Now be a good girl and go nighty-night. We’ll see you in the morning.”
Ellie snuggled under the covers, and despite her best intentions, was asleep in moments. But hours later she was stirred by a bump. Excitement filled her at the thought of Santa trying to get down their tiny chimney. She was going to catch him and keep him. There was no reason for the other kids to get all the toys.
She slid out of bed, the wood floor cold beneath her feet, and she frowned as she her the soft murmur of voices. It didn’t sound like Santa Claus. She peered down the hall. The cramped living room was bathed by shimmering lights that cast a mystical glow. Her eyes were still foggy from the sleepy film of exhaustion, but she knew what she was seeing.
“Santa,” she whispered, eyeing the man in the red suit with awe.
Her eight-year-old heart fluttered in her chest, and she stayed still against the wall as he put presents under the tree. And then she heard another voice, and took the chance of peeking around the corner for a better look.
“Mommy,” she said, her voice soft. And then she gasped and put her hand over her mouth so they wouldn’t hear her. Santa had hugged her mom and pulled her in for a kiss. A long kiss. Rage filled her from the tips of her toes to the top of her head, and she felt hot all over. Daddy was going to be so upset when she told him. So hurt. She had the best daddy in the world and he didn’t deserve that.
“I hate Christmas,” she said. “And Santa.”
Ellie crept back to her bed, her face wet with angry tears. She jerked the quilted afghan up to her chin, but there’d be no going to sleep. Her heart was broken. Were mommy and daddy going to divorce like Ronny’s parents had?
She tried to sleep, but the voices in her head wouldn’t leave her alone. They were yelling at her, screaming at her to do something. She was the only one who could make things right.
Ellie wasn’t sure how she got in the kitchen. She just opened her eyes and she was there. And then in a flash she was standing in her parent’s bedroom, holding the lighter fluid and the matches, and the voices in her head were telling her what to do.
“I hate Christmas,” she said. And then she poured the lighter fluid on and around their bed and lit the match.
She felt the whoosh of the fire as she turned around and went back to her room. Maybe now she could finally get some sleep.
About Liliana Hart
Liliana Hart is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty titles. After starting her first novel her freshman year of college, she immediately became addicted to writing and knew she’d found what she was meant to do with her life. She has no idea why she majored in music.
Since publishing in June 2011, Liliana has sold more than five-million ebooks. All three of her series have made multiple appearances on the New York Times list. Liliana is a sought-after speaker, and she’s given keynote speeches and publishing workshops to standing-room-only crowds from California, to the Library of Congress, to London.
Liliana can almost always be found at her computer writing, or working with her husband, Scott Silverii, on their marriage ministry at Marriage Matters. Scott and Liliana believe in happily-ever-afters and want to help as many marriages succeed as possible, which is one of the reasons Liliana loves writing stories about couples overcoming all obstacles.
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About Scott Silverii
Liliana Hart’s writing partner and husband, Scott Silverii blends over 25 years of heart-stopping policing Special Operations experience.
From deep in the heart of south Louisiana’s Cajun Country, his action-packed writing style is seasoned by the Mardi Gras, hurricanes and crawfish étouffée.
Don’t let the easy Creole smile fool you. The author served most of a highly decorated career in SOG buying dope, banging down doors, and busting bad guys.
Bringing characters to life based on those amazing experiences, Scott writes it like he lived it.
Lock and Load – Let’s Roll.
Also by Liliana Hart
JJ Graves Mystery Series
Dirty Little Secrets
A Dirty Shame
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel
Down and Dirty
Dirty Deeds
Dirty Laundry
Addison Holmes Mystery Series
Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey Sour
Whiskey For Breakfast
Whiskey, You’re The Devil
Whiskey on the Rocks
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Whiskey and Gunpowder
The Gravediggers
The Darkest Corner
Gone to Dust
Say No More
The MacKenzies of Montana
Dane
A Christmas Wish: Dane
Thomas
To Catch A Cupid: Thomas
Riley
Cooper
A MacKenzie Christmas
Riley: Fireworks
Cooper: The Ties that Bind
MacKenzie Security Series
Cade
Shadows and Silk
Sins and Scarlet Lace
Sizzle
Crave
Trouble Maker
Scorch
Lawmen of Surrender (MacKenzies-1001 Dark Nights)
1001 Dark Nights: Captured in Surrender
1001 Dark Nights: The Promise of Surrender
Sweet Surrender
Dawn of Surrender
The MacKenzie World (read in any order)
Trouble Maker
Bullet Proof
Deep Trouble
Delta Rescue
Desire and Ice
Rush
Spies and Stilettos
Wicked Hot
Hot Witness
Avenged
Never Surrender
Stand Alone Titles
Breath of Fire
Kill Shot
Catch Me If You Can
All About Eve
Paradise Disguised
Island Home
The Witching Hour
Fortune’s Treasure (Second Chances Anthology)
Books by Liliana Hart and Scott Silverii
The Harley and Davidson Mystery Series
The Farmer’s Slaughter
A Tisket a Casket
I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus
Deceased and Desist
Also by Scott Silverii
The Harley and Davidson Mystery Series
The Farmer’s Slaughter
A Tisket a Casket
I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus
Get Your Murder Running
Deceased and Desist
Sergeant Joe Boxer Series
Call Of Duty
FAST
Rapid Fire
End Of Watch
A DEA Undercover Thriller series
SAINT
JUSTICE
SINNER
Cajun Murder Mystery Short-Story Series
By The Numbers (#1)
The Shepherd (#2)
Geaux Tiger (#3)
Cajun Cooking (#4)
Crooked Cross (#5)
Cracked Cross (#6)
Double Cross (#7)
Creole Crossroads (#8)
Bayou Backslide: Special Novella Edition
Bayou Roux: The Complete First Season
The Shadow Ops Series
Danger’s Desire
Danger’s Heat
Danger’s Passion