Loving a Killer | 18+

1.6 - Christmas Miracles

| Norah |

Christmas shopping. It was something I had never done before -mainly because of the absent family and friends in my life- and never planned on doing it until now. Twenty-three and I still had not once gone Christmas shopping. I was never with a foster family that cared enough to get me gifts, so I never gave them back.

Now I'm here, Christmas Eve, searching for gifts for my brothers with the little money I had from my old job, knowing full well that most of the gifts typically exchanged in the Romaniello family are about double my whole bank account.

That's embarrassing, I thought to myself and shrugged.

"Could you have possibly done this earlier?" Xander asked politely with a little laugh as we entered the mall, only to see the mass of frantic people rushing around.

A group of four girls about my age nearly started drooling when he held the door open for me. He didn't even acknowledge it. I'm guessing he was used to it by now.

"I guess I haven't really thought about it..." I murmured sheepishly and felt embarrassed, the more I thought about it.

"Well do you know what you're looking for?" We walked, trying to stay out of people's way as we went.

"I know Matteo wanted some fuzzy socks for around the house," I laughed, thinking about how excited Matteo had gotten when he revealed to me that socks were all he wanted.

"That's it?" Xander furrowed his brow and looked at me like I was joking.

"Adriano wanted some leather gloves for when he's driving," I rubbed the back of my neck. "Luca and I don't talk much, then Ricardo... Ricardo is just intimidating. I didn't know how to ask," I tried to defend myself, but now I was regretting not asking them.

"Well, be thankful I'm with you," Xander looked down at me and winked. I gave him a confused look.

"Why?" I asked as he guided me into Armani.

"I asked them before we left. Ricardo wants a watch, Luca wants a blazer," Xander explained.

"Well, then we're in the wrong place. I don't have the money for this place," I admitted. Xander smirked and kept walking.

"Have you checked your bank account recently?" He asked casually.

"Not recently. Please don't tell me-" I was cut short once I realized what he was saying.

"Check it."

I pulled out my phone, fumbling as I did so. I kept walking as I typed in my password for my bank account and waited for it to load.

I stopped in my tracks when the screen finally popped up. Xander kept walking but noticed I had stopped and did so as well. My mouth dropped and I looked at him.

"A hundred grand?!" I yelled. People turned and the snooty ladies at the cash register scowled at me. They probably thought I was talking about one of their items.

Xander scoffed a laugh and grabbed my hand. He lead me over to the men's section. His hand was sensationally warm, which surprised me. In this New York winter, I was still quite cold from being outside. Needless to say, I didn't object to having his hand encasing mine.