Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 61

61 Who Touched My Wife

61 Who Touched My Wife

Clarice POV

+25 +25 Points

The store is immediately swarmed by four large men. Two of them step toward me, anger clearly written on their faces. Anya, Chrissy, and Simone all step in front of me to block their way. “Move before I move you. The king is on his way. She has assaulted the princess and will face the consequences,” the largest of the men says. “Absolutely not. You will not lay a finger on my daughter,” Anya says. “Fine, we will take you all into custody until he decides how to punish you,” he says, and panic washes over me. “Anya,” I whisper, fear gripping me.

Anya throws her head back and laughs. “Do you know who I am? Do you even have the slightest ideal,” she asks. “I don’t care who she is. I want that b**ch thrown in the dungeon for striking your princess,” Penelope says, pointing at me. Just as the guard reaches for Anya, a blustering snow fills the store before Chris appears. “Who the f**k dares to touch my wife,” he says. I’ve never seen this side of him, but it’s f**king scary.

He is taller than the guard and the T–shirt he is wearing clearly shows he is also more muscular. The guard takes a step back, fear evident in his eyes. “Christopher, I had it under control. I don’t need you to rescue me,” Anya says. I fight the giggle when Chris picks her up like she weighs nothing. “I know my Queen, but it is my duty to serve you,” he says. He presses a firm kiss on her lips before she can argue and sets her back on her feet.

“Now I will ask again who dares to f**king touch my wife and threaten my daughter,” he asks. The guard looks back at Penelope for guidance and I fight the urge to laugh. “What are you waiting for.” she asks, annoyed he isn’t following her orders. “He knows what you are asking him to do is going to end badly. He is debating his choice of becoming your guard. That is what he is doing, you spoiled little b**ch,” Anya says.

This time, I can’t stop the laugh that escapes me and neither can Simone and Chrissy. “How dare you speak to me with such disrespect. I don’t care who you are. No one has the right to come into the Elven Kingdom and assault a member of the royal family,” she says. Before she can say more, a man that looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders steps into the shop. When he notices Chris and Anya, his eyes widen before he looks toward the heavens.

“Chris and Anya, I wasn’t expecting you to be here when the guards alerted me that Penelope had been struck. What happened,” he asks. “Daddy, why are you asking them what happened? I am the one that b**ch hit,” she says, again pointing at me. “Enough Penelope. I know well enough that you are not innocent in whatever happened. Please tell me what happened,” he says, looking between Anya and Chris.

“Daddy,” Penelope screeches. “Enough, not another word. I am still unclear as to why you are even here. You never come to the village to shop. You think it is beneath you,” he says. I chuckle when

1/4

61 Who Touched My Wife

+25 Points

the store owner grumbles that she isn’t worthy of his dresses. “It seems she heard that I was here shopping and decided it would be a good idea to show up to harass my new daughter. She said some very unkind things which upset Clarice. When she talked about my grandchild, Clarice slapped her. She is lucky it was Clarice that responded because I wouldn’t have been so kind,” Anya

says.

“I said nothing that wasn’t true. She is a weak human that isn’t worthy of Nick,” Penelope pipes up. “Shut the hell up Penelope,” the king says. “Daddy,” she starts to say, but he cuts her off. “Don’t daddy me. You will apologize to everyone here,” he says. His eyes meet mine for the first time and they soften. “You must be Nick’s chosen. I’m sorry that our first meeting is happening like this. I am the King of the Elves, but please call me Fredrick. Penelope will make her own apologies, but I apologize on my daughter’s behalf. Her mother has spoiled her far too much,” he says.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Fredrick.” “You can’t be serious, your majesty. Penelope is right. She isn’t worthy of Nick,” Morgan says. Her eyes get big, and I can tell she didn’t mean to say it out loud. “Who the hell are you to question who is worthy of the prince,” Fredrick asks. Anya laughs before Morgan can speak. “She is the trollop that tried to land herself the next Santa Claus. She dated Nick pretending she loved him. The truth came out when she got herself caught with her legs in the air with one of the factory workers,” she says.

Penelope’s head snaps toward Morgan. “What the hell is she talking about,” Penelope demands. This time I step off behind Chrissy. “Didn’t she tell you, Penny? She was Nick’s lover before he found out she was f**king an elf that was pretending to be the incoming Santa. She didn’t love Nick. She wanted the position, but Chrissy made sure she got caught. I still don’t know what her game is here, but she doesn’t want you to have Nick anymore than she wants me to.”

“Morgan, is this true,” Penelope asks. “He loved me. If I had realized who he was from the beginning I never would have cheated. He was meant to be mine. Neither of you deserve him,” she says. I throw my head back and laugh. She tries to move toward Anya but Penelope grabs her by the hair. She throws her to the ground at her feet. “How dare you covet what is mine,” Penelope

says.

“News flash he isn’t hers or yours. This ring on my hand means he’s mine. Keep talking and that slap I gave you will feel like a love tap,” I say flashing them my ring. “Apologize Penelope, now,” Fredrick says. “I can’t believe you are taking their side. I am your daughter. I won’t apologize to a pathetic human,” she says. “Don’t bother Fredrick. I don’t need or want her apology. All I care

about is her staying far away from me and Nick.”

“I assure you that won’t be a problem, Clarice. She will not be attending your pledging. Let’s go,

Penelope,” he says. This time she stomps her feet but follows him toward the door. Morgan tries to

follow, but Penelope turns to glare at her. “Don’t even think about it. You are no longer my maid,” she says before stepping out of the shop. Morgan practically screams before she turns to glare at

1. me. “This isn’t over,” she says. A fist flies connecting with her face.

TIL

61 Who Touched My Wife

+25 Points

I swear I can hear the crunch of her nose breaking. She lands on the floor at Anya’s feet. Blood pours down her mouth and chin. “That is for hurting my son all those years ago and for talking sh*t about my daughter. Leave before I let Chrissy take a shot at you next. She has been dying to get a few more punches in for what you did to Nick,” Any says.

Morgan scrambles to her feet and rushes out of the store. “Well, now that’s sorted and my wife had the chance to be the bad a** she is, I need to get back,” Chris says. He pulls Anya in for a searing kiss before he kisses each of us on the forehead. Simone is startled at first, but then she smiles. “Alright, now that the excitement is over, let’s find the three of you dresses,” Anya says and I smile.

Simone POV

Watching Chris and Anya defend Clarice reminded me just how f**ked up what my father did really was. This is a woman that shares no blood with them, and they are willing to stand against the Elven King to protect her. I mean, thankfully, he didn’t protect his b**ch of a daughter, but what if he had? I don’t think Anya or Chris would have backed down. That is what a parent is supposed to do. They are supposed to protect their children. I shake the thoughts away and move to the rack with purple gowns.

I’m still not sure why Anya insists I buy one. They have mentioned a ceremony a few times, but I’m not clear on what will be happening. I find a form fitting mermaid gown that has beading on the bodice. It’s beautiful, and the fabric feels like silk on my fingertips. “You should try that one on. The color suits you,” Clarice says. “It’s my favorite color. I’m not really even sure why Anya insists on me getting a gown.” “Nick and I and Chrissy and Jack will be pledging to each other on Christmas day. From what I understand, it’s like a wedding ceremony with a little magic thrown in. You are a part of the family now, so it only makes sense you be there with us,” she says.

“Clarice, this has to be weird for you. I’m a fae and I’m freaked out. I’m mated to your soon–to–be ex–husband who cheated on you with your best friend after he got you pregnant. I don’t know how me being here doesn’t make you uncomfortable.” She chuckles and grips my hand. “I told you I want us to sit and talk, but the short version is despite his mistakes, I love Trevor. A part of me that is thankful for our daughter always will. I also want him to be happy,” she says.

“Are you sure you aren’t some magical creature whose power is forgiveness,” I ask, almost kidding. “Believe me, if it wasn’t for Nick and this family I wouldn’t be standing here saying these things. Finding the person that is meant to be yours puts things into perspective. Now I would really like to see you in that purple dress. I love green, so I’m going to try this one on. We can show each other at the same time, since it looks like Chrissy has already found hers,” she says, pointing behind me.

“Holy sh*t,” I said, looking at Chrissy. She looks radiant. Her gown is a blue that reminds me of winter. The dress even has snowflake embellishments on it. Fitting since she is pledging to Jack Frost. A bubble of excitement grows inside me as Clarice pulls me toward the changing rooms.

61 Who Touched My Wife

Her excitement is contagious, and I wonder if I can really have my own happily ever after.

+25 Ponto

Comments

LLICK DRAW >

644

Vote