Christmas and the Hero: Modern Christmas Fairy Tales

By Lexi Ostrow

Hank "Hero" Costas was revered by his coworkers at his father's company, Olympus Security, for how many lives he'd saved. Hank's father barely looked twice at him. The big man with all the power barely looked twice at his son. His day was consumed with efforts to please and book clients. Christmas time was always the worst, but Hank thought this year he might just get it right.

Megan Gramble landed herself a job at Brimstone Sec after a tour in Iraq went terribly wrong after falling for her commanding officer. She didn't hate the work, but the clientele always seemed sleazy. When the owners newest scheme involved seducing a rival company's son to gain their clients, she didn't blink twice thanks to hefty raise. Megan also didn't mind fabricating a "save me" situation to get the ball rolling.

Hank couldn't take his eyes off Megan after saving her from a runaway car. As Christmas neared, the pair grew closer and closer, until a lightening strike fried his phone and he used Megan's to make a call. When he saw the truth, he left, furious at Megan and himself. The only problem? It wasn't just a job for Megan anymore. It would take a Christmas miracle for both to look beyond their jobs and see what's truly important, each other .

One dashing hero. One lonely heroine and one bolt of lightning collide just in time for Christmas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lexi Ostrow
• Release date: Jan 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201639495

Lexi Ostrow

USA Today Bestselling Author Lexi Ostrow has been in love with the written word since second grade when her librarian started a writing club. Born in sunny southern California she's spent time in various places across the country thanks to her husband's USCG career. Now, she's also mom to a far too adorable toddler, and a menagerie of pets, spinning fantastical worlds whenever she gets the opportunity. Lexi has been a writer ever since the second grade in some form or another. Getting her degree in creative writing and her master's in journalism she couldn't wait to get a chance to put her fantasies down on paper.  From paranormal romance to thriller there isn't a genre she doesn't love to spend her time reading or writing. With her BA in creative writing from UCR and her MA in multi-media Journalism from Emerson College, she's ready to take on the literary world one novel at a time. Reading and writing are her first loves, but her passion for shopping, love for yummy food and her love for all her many pets are not far behind. Lexi is an enthusiast Whovian and DC Comic Show lover who isn't afraid to talk someone's ear off about them. She hopes to one day help other readers fall in love with writing as she did.

Book preview

Chapter One

S o, this what you envisioned doing for a living? Travis Jones, rock star extraordinaire, attempted to take a swig from his flask but tripped over the sidewalk and sent the metal holder flying.

Hank snatched it in midair, shaking off whatever booze spilled over his hand. Have to say it is.

Olympus Security—the largest security company in America—had been in his family for generations. Two, to be exact. His grandfather, Ares, sought it fitting to play on their Greek heritage for the name. For over eighty years, Olympus Security contracted out the best of the best to keep visitors, stars, and witness protection candidates safe.

Only, the company experienced a slight decline as cyber threats outdid physical ones. For eleven months, Hank argued with his father over the need to expand into the digital realm and to let Hank take over to oversee it. The man was as stubborn as his namesake—Zeus. Not only did his father not see the point in doing desk work as a means to protect someone, but he also made it clear if Hank didn't get his head out of the clouds, he'd never be what the company needed to be CEO.

Right, Daddy owns it an all, Travis smirked, showing off a gold tooth adorned with what was probably a genuine diamond.

Hank clenched his teeth, ignoring the rush of blood away from his head as he held onto his anger. His father owning the company had nothing to do with Hank’s career path or skills. Something like that. Or maybe it was the idea of keeping people safe that drew me to it.

Guess that's why they call you Hero.

They call me Hero because I have a solid track record protecting my clients from danger. I've taken more than my share of bullets, and my clients never see a scratch. As if on cue, the old wound in his right bicep throbbed. It did that every so often, but all the best doctors and rehab specialists assured him and his father, there was no lasting damage from his injury last fall.

The injury that landed you protecting schmucks like Travis instead of the Congressmen and Women you're used to handling.

So, tell me, guy to guy, good-looking guy like you, Travis poked Hank's bicep. Putting his life on the line for people. That's gotta make the women drop in your lap far more often than a rich rock star gets action.

He didn't resist the urge to roll his eyes. Sure thing. Women love a man who risks his life for minor pay. Hank was good looking. He knew that. Women stared when he walked into a bar, but they rarely approached.

At just under six-foot-four and a solid wall of muscle, Hank was intimidating even when he smiled. Bright green eyes and a slightly dopey smile helped to soften his image a bit, but the only women he spent time with were the ones against bathroom walls. So, Travis is right because that's for sure the type of woman the star spoke about.

Hank loved his job. He took immense satisfaction in protecting those who needed it. Celebrities? Not his favorite breed of client.

Travis Jones! The highest pitched squeal known to man rang out on the L.A. street.

Hank stepped in front of the rock star as his scanned the street. Nothing more than a teenage girl, complete with headgear, causing the potential danger. Sighing with relief, Hank stepped to the side.

Travis didn't so much as smile at the girl, just walked into the street.

Hank didn't judge his clients, but some were far better suited for the public life than others. It seemed Travis Jones was just a junkie with a pleasant voice and talented hands to play the guitar.

Yo, Jones! A man shouted from the other side of the street. This is for thinking you could touch my wife.

Hank almost snickered. Jealous husbands were part of the game when protecting any male celebrity—sometimes female ones, too.

The roar of an engine sent Hank's heart jack hammering. His eyes landed on the white pickup truck seconds before he shoved Travis forward and to the left, stepping to the star's right and bracing for impact.

Hank's vision exploded into blackness as the grille crashed into his right side. His head cracked against the cement, and the world went dark.

D ad? Hank blinked twice, trying to clear the strange fog from his mind. Not to mention the hallucination. If he didn't know better, he would swear a tanned, muscular man with salt and pepper hair stood in the doorway, his suit impeccable and his eyes drawn together.

Good, you're awake. A gruff Mediterranean accent filled the room. That's not like you to stay under for so long.

A quick flash of the front side of a truck and Hank was back. Damn it. That asshole got me run over. Hank winced as pain speared through his head from clenching his jaw.

Getting hit by a car must be a little different from taking a bullet. Hank grimaced as he pulled himself to sit up and finally noticed his arm was restrained. Damn it.

Be grateful it's just your arm and some road rash. You were out cold when the cops arrived, and your damn arm was nearly in half. Anger. His father was angry.

Glad to know you're pissed off at the truck that hit me.

Zeus snorted. Son, I'm pissed off at you.

Come again? Thirty-five years old and Hank couldn't understand how his father thought.

You seem to spend more time in hospitals than with clients in the last two years. It's as if turning thirty mottled your brain and judgment.

I’m thirty-five.

Zeus merely narrowed his eyes. When you get out of here, probably tomorrow because they’re worried about a concussion, and you couldn’t be tested while asleep, you’re coming home.

Home?

Home. You want to take over one day, then it’s time you start paying attention to the business side of things and drop this hero bullshit that keeps landing you injured.

Dad, the job is literally about saving people.

Again, not a word, just a glare.

This discussion isn’t up for debate. You weren’t ready at thirty to take over, and you’re not ready now. You think your body is a fortress. Well, if I let you keep this up, you’ll be dead before thirty-six. Zeus pushed on the door handle and let himself out.

Thanks, Dad. Hank’s head crashed back onto the pillow.

He’d spent the last nine years trying to prove himself to his father, and suddenly, he needs to be a businessman, too.

Rolling to the side, he smacked his cast into his stomach and sighed. Well, at least I know broken limbs heal in eight weeks, and I won’t have to wear this for Christmas.

Chapter Two

I t’s not up for debate, Megan. Nathan didn’t so much as glance away from his computer screen.

Megan wasn’t giving in. Not this time.

Look, I get it. You sign the clients who will pay you, she crossed her arms over her chest. But I’m not your girl for this one.

The smirk on Nathan’s thin lips when he pulled his gaze from the computer screen would have sent chills Megan had she not learned years ago not to be afraid of the man. I think you are, Megan. I truly think you are.

She braced for impact. It came every time he wanted her to do something she didn’t want to do.

You see, Nathan pushed back from his desk, revealing the muscular man who started Brimstone Inc, the second largest private security firm in America. Sinewy muscle was barely contained in the bright red button-down shirt. I was the only way out for you five years ago. You owe me. His hands went flat against the desk as he leaned forward, closer to her. There’s nothing you won’t do, and I swore there’d be nothing illegal that I’d ask you to do.

The first time he pulled this shit, Megan’s blood ran cold. Today marked the eleventh time in three years. Megan respected the leverage, knew he’d make good on it, but didn’t fear the man himself. He was harmless, just power hungry.

A certain little lady appeared on my doorstep, asking me to put her to work so that the memories didn’t haunt her.

Megan watched the spittle gathering in the corner of his lips as his voice dropped to a whisper. 

Still, she held her ground. I’m not babysitting a pedophile.

Ironic that the task would go to you. Nathan walked out from the behind desk. Beautiful, young woman with stunning curves and a passion for kicking some ass? If he’d been any more of a creep, Nathan would have sniffed her hair.

I don’t care what you threaten. I’m not watching him.

See, you are. Nathan’s voice returned to normal volume as he walked back behind the desk. You are because five years ago I helped you disappear. I rid the world of ex-army specialist Molly Hayes and gave them Megan Gramble. I took you in when you were on the run from men who didn’t understand the word no.

I wasn’t running, I was protecting myself, her teeth ground together.

You weren’t. Truly, you weren’t. He tapped a few keys on the keyboard. However, the military sees it the other way. They see a young woman who lashed out at her superiors - who damn near shot one – all in the name of falling in love with the wrong man. A man who didn’t have your back when it was his job on the line. A man who chose a woman out of the service, who remained safely back home and not in his face when he didn’t want her there.

The memory of Adam no longer stung. She’d been young and stupid, and he’d been handsome and incredible in bed. It turned sour when another member of the unit found out and attempted to force her to do things no respectful woman did just because a man asked. Adam didn’t stand up for Megan. Not the way he should have.

The gun hadn’t fired accidentally at Officer Chondole. It didn’t matter that Adam convinced her to say that. She’d shot the damn thing at his foot intentionally to get out of the office and out of the building entirely before he could force himself on her.

Like everything, the military swept her away—dishonorable discharge despite nearly eight years of service to America. Charles and Adam tag-teamed her, tried to peddle lies that she slept with them to get information and was caught. Thankfully, the lawyers did their job. Unfortunately, she’d still shot an officer and the discharge was set. The problem was, Officer Chondole didn’t accept her punishment. He wanted one of his own.

So, Megan ran to the only person who could help. Nathan wasn’t a friend of the family, he was family. Her mother’s stepbrother. He was morally corrupt in his own ways, placing greed before wellbeing, but he’d never put her in harm’s way before.

Not from a client, at least.

Her step-uncle wasn’t a bad guy. He was big and often a bully, but this was a new side of him she’d never seen before. Nathan Dhaumper graduated top of his class from M.I.T. and, at one point, had been on the FBI’s list of hackers. He’d been the only person who could make Molly disappear and get Reece Charles off her back.

"Look, I need someone who fits his request. Johnny Franco wants a female bodyguard. We don’t ask questions. We provide what they pay for. He’s paying top dollar for us. I can’t send the