In the end, the manager called the local police. We were dragged out, handcuffed, and sitting on the edge of the sidewalk, even the French women. There was a language barrier with the cops. None spoke English. I motioned for my phone. They uncuffed my hands and gave it to me.
“I can call someone?” I waved it in front of them.
They nodded.
“Thank you.” I dialed Saint.
He sounded tired. “Are you all in jail yet?”
“Almost.”
He cleared his throat. “What?”
“We’re handcuffed. I don’t think they want to take us in, but we may need someone to vouch for us or something.” I checked the manager near one of the cops, yelling and pointing at us. “The restaurant owner is pretty pissed.”
Saint sighed. “What’s the name of the place?”
“Ice.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Give the phone to the cop.”
“Thank you, Saint.” I handed it to the officer next to me.
The cop spoke in a foreign language. It appeared Saint knew it. The cop’s expression relaxed. He hung up, gave me back the phone, and pointed at the curb.
I looked at Holly.
She was sleeping on Veronica’s lap. Thankfully, she didn’t have a black eye.
“What’s going on?” Veronica asked.
“Saint could communicate with them. He said something and now he’s on the way.”
Veronica shook her head. “I’m just glad we’re not in jail.”
“Me too, but it’s a tourist town. Places like this thrive off visitors. They’re probably used to drunken brawls between stupid Americans.”
Veronica grinned. “I can’t believe that happened.”
“Me either.”
“I don’t even know how that happened. I was just sitting at the table, reading my bible.”
“I know right.”
Veronica shook her head. “The devil is always busy.”
I chuckled as the cops put me back in handcuffs. “At least we have a story to tell Holly and Nikolas’s kids.”
Saint arrived ten minutes later and had a long conversation with the restaurant’s manager. Unfortunately, Saint brought others with him.
“Damn it.” Veronica frowned.
Trevor limped over. “A fight, Veronica?”
“I was reading my bible.”
He glared and helped her up. “It’s a good policy to not get in a drunken brawl while in another country.”
“Well at least in Finland the cops won’t shoot me down before talking.”
Trevor gestured for one of the cops to take the handcuffs off. “You’re in trouble.”
Veronica winked at him. “I hope trouble lasts all night.”
Anna and Emma’s father came along and then I spotted Emma’s husband. Nikolas was there too. With those big arms, Nikolas picked up Holly who was still knocked out.
I looked up at him. “Sorry.”
“At least this time she doesn’t have a black eye.”
“Sorry for that night, too.”
“And the dildo crown.”
I pointed at Veronica walking away. “Sorry. But you’ll have to forgive us.”
“Do I?”
“Marrying her means marrying all of us.”
“Aren’t I a lucky guy.” Sighing, Nikolas carried her away with the dildo crown still on her head.
The cops took the rest of our handcuffs off, even the French women.
Park stretched and yawned next to me. “Some night, boss.”
“Some night indeed.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “So. . .it’s clear that no work will get done. Anytime you want to head back home, let me know.”
Her eyes brightened. “Uh. . .well. . .I was thinking tomorrow evening, maybe.”
“Book the flight. I’ll reimburse you.”
“Thank you.” She reached out to hug me and stopped herself. “Merry Christmas, Ivy.”
“Yeah.” I caught Saint prowling my way. He’d just finished talking to the restaurant manager.
Glaring, he stopped in front of me. “You had one job, Ivy.”
“She was good until Emma spiked the coffee with tequila during dessert.”
“Emma?” He tilted his head to the side. “Of all people you think I will believe that Emma spiked the coffee?”
“It’s the facts.”
Saint looked at Park.
Park nodded. “It really was Emma.”
“Hmmm.” His serious expression broke into humor. “A bar fight in winter wonderland. Only Holly and you.” He gestured to Park. “My father will take you back. I’m still reprimanding Ivy.”
“Cool.” Park yawned again and walked off. “See you later, boss.”
“Don’t forget to book the flight.” I winked at Saint. “See. I’m letting her off.”
“You’re still on my shit list.” He studied me, lifted his hand, and took something out of my hair. “Why are bread crumbs in your hair?”
“Who knows where that came from.”
He laughed.
“Not funny.” I gestured to the manager who was now smiling and waving goodbye. “What did you tell him? He’s in a better mood.”
“He wanted to press charges. The police didn’t want to do the paperwork or have the news report in the morning that they arrested an American tourist. Then I showed up.”
“The manager recognized you?”
Saint nodded. “I promised him that his restaurant, Ice, will now be featured in our next season. How was the dessert?”
“The small piece I had was delicious, but it was chocolate. After all the boozy cocoa, I don’t think I want to even hear the word chocolate again.”
“Too bad. You owe me. If I have to come back to this town again for the show, you’ll be with me, smiling and eating all the damn chocolate that is provided.”
“What?”
He raised his eyebrows.
“Fine. That’s clearly better than jail.”
“Let’s go.” He guided me forward. “Did you get to all your festivities?”
“We missed the strip club. I paid a lot for VIP.”
“Aww. Poor strippers.”
Chapter 7
Christmas Kiss
We made it back to my villa in no time. When I thought Saint would say goodnight and leave, he walked right in.
I eyed him. “And what are you doing?”
He shut the door behind him. “I saved the princess tonight. Surely, I get some sort of reward.”
I smiled. “What do you want?”
“Your heart.”
I frowned. “Really, Saint?”
“Really.” Fast, he closed the distance between us. “I guess it’s stupid to ask for your heart when I already have it.”
I snorted.
“I do have it. You just won’t admit it. That’s what makes this so difficult.”
“Oh. Is that what the problem is?”
“It is.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine.
A soft moan left my mouth.
“Hmmm. I love it when you moan for me.”