Santa's Dirty Obsession
My hands were shaking so badly I had to clasp them together in front of me to keep them still.
"Five million dollars," a smooth, cultured voice announced.
The room fell silent.
The announcer's voice cracked with excitement. "Five million dollars from paddle number seven. Going once—"
"Fifty million dollars."
The words cut through the silence like a gunshot.
Everyone froze.
I froze.
Fifty million dollars. That was impossible. That was insane. Who would pay fifty million dollars for twelve days with a stranger?
The lights shifted, and I caught a glimpse of movement at the back of the ballroom. A figure stood there in a crimson Santa jacket trimmed with white fur, the costume absurdly festive a