15. Chapter 15 The Plan

Chapter 15: The Plan

G rum

“Alright, let’s get this show on the road,” I growl, collapsing into the world’s most uncomfortable chair in the break room. It’s close to midnight and I’m exhausted. But by the look on Emma’s face, there’s no time for rest. Not yet.

Emma’s fingers fly over her tablet as she speaks. “I’ve been digging deeper into Sykes’s finances, and holy crap, guys. We’re talking offshore accounts and misappropriated donations, both money and goods. It’s not just millions—we’re looking at tens of millions of dollars here.”

A low whistle escapes Kam’s lips. “ Tens of millions? When you said the word ‘millions’ before, I thought you were exaggerating.”

“It gets worse,” Emma continues, her face grim in the harsh fluorescent light. “I’m not sure Sykes is even the top dog in this operation. There are hints of someone higher up, pulling the strings.”

Joy slips her hand into mine under the table, and I give it a reassuring squeeze. Usually, her touch grounds me, but so much anger is searing through my veins that her nearness does little to calm me. All that money, stolen from my people… people who desperately need it.

“So, what’s our next move?” Thornn rumbles, his massive arms crossed over his chest.

Emma leans in, her voice low. “I have a hypothesis. You all saw Sykes at the gala. He doesn’t look like the heavy-lifting type. Yet the GPS on his car—” She interrupts herself when a few of us gasp at the idea she’s tracking his car. “Yeah, I hacked into everything about this piece of shit. The GPS on his car shows he spends a lot of time at the warehouse. So, if he isn’t toting boxes… that’s got to be where he has a secret office. He’s too smart to keep telltale evidence at his home or work. I’m telling you guys, all my spidey senses say he’s got all the evidence we need in that warehouse.”

The little room falls silent as we consider the implications of what we’re up against. Breaking into that warehouse isn’t just illegal, it’s dangerous. But the alternative—letting these bastards continue to steal from our community—that’s not an option either.

“We have to do it,” Joy says firmly. This woman with a backbone of steel is nothing like the people-pleasing softie I met at Jingle All the Way just a few weeks ago. “We can’t let them get away with this. Not when we’re so close to tracking this down. That money should go to the rightful recipients in the Integration Zone.”

I’m proud of her inner strength and determination, but the thought of Joy in danger… “Yeah, something has to be done,” I say, then spear Joy with a serious look. “But maybe we should leave this to the professionals. We could bring in Bold, Courage, and the other Wolven Warriors. They’re the Integration Zone’s home-grown security team.”

Joy’s grip on my hand tightens. “No way, Grum. We started this together; we’ll finish it together. Tonight.”

Kam nods in agreement, stifling a yawn as he gets another cup of coffee. “Joy’s right. We can’t risk bringing anyone else into this. We keep this between us, keep it tight. The police were just there not long ago. He’s probably getting nervous. If he moves his base of operations, it might take months to track him down.”

“Yes.” Joy says, looking fierce. “We strike fast. Get the evidence and leave. Besides, Emma can use street cameras to ensure no one’s in there. It shouldn’t be too hard if we sneak in when the guard is elsewhere.”

I look around the table, seeing the resolve in everyone’s eyes. My chest tightens as I gaze at Joy’s determined, I-won’t-back-down expression. She’s become more than just an ally in this fight—it’s as if we’re her… family.

“Fine,” I concede with a sigh. “But we do this smart. We need a solid plan, and we need it fast.”

For the next hour, we hash out the details, fueled by vending machine coffee and determination. Emma will disable the security systems remotely. Kam and I will handle any physical obstacles. Thornn and Sarah will keep watch outside, while Joy and Emma search for the evidence after we break in.

“Once we have what we need,” Emma explains, stifling another yawn, “we call the authorities. With concrete evidence, they can’t ignore this. Surgical strike. In and out.”

As we finalize the plan, the knot in my stomach coils tighter. Although the plan is good, there are so many variables, a thousand things could still go wrong. But looking at Joy, seeing the fire in her eyes, I know there’s no talking her out of it.

“Alright, team,” I say, standing up and stretching my tired muscles. “Grab whatever gear you need. We move out in thirty minutes.”

As the others file out, making last-minute preparations, I pull Joy aside. “Hey,” I murmur, cupping her face in my hands. “You sure about this? It’s not too late to back out. We could wait, do this after the holidays… and, better yet, you could stay home while the big, bad orcs do the dangerous thing.”

She leans into my touch, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Not a chance, Grinch. You’re stuck with me. Besides, what better Christmas gift than taking down a corrupt official?”

A chuckle rumbles in my chest as I lean down, pressing my forehead to hers. “What magic did you perform that made me want to agree with you?”

I was expecting a quip, but she gets a goofy half-smile. Her eyes light up, and she leans forward to give me the softest, sweetest kiss. It’s nothing and everything, speaking volumes without words. Goddess help me, I’m over the moon for this woman. She’s burrowed into my heart so fast I didn’t see it coming.

For a moment, we stand here, silently breathing each other in. “Promise me one thing, Joy Noel. No running into the line of fire like last time. I… I couldn’t bear for anything to happen to you.”

The look on her face is partly shock and partly the look on a woman’s face when her boyfriend proposes in public. It makes my stomach feel wonky and my chest tight.

“I’ll play it smart. I promise.” She lifts on tiptoe to give me a sweet kiss.

“Come on.” I reluctantly pull away. “Let’s go play Santa’s little burglars.”

Joy laughs, the sound warming me from the inside out. “Santa’s little burglars, huh? Does that make you the Grinch who stole Christmas back?”

I bare my tusks in a grin. “Maybe. I kind of like that idea.”

“Ready?” I ask, as we gather near Thornn’s SUV, the unseasonably chilly night air nipping at our faces.

Joy nods, her expression still has that soft glow leftover from our kiss. “Let’s do this.”