Page 63 of Healed

Crash shook his head, a baffled little frown between his eyes. “I think you haven’t.”

Vienna frowned right back at him as though Crash was stupid. “That may just be the scariest movie I have ever seen. Did you even watch it properly?”

“I did. I don’t remember being scared.”

“Then you’re dead inside and there’s no point continuing this conversation. You agree with me, don’t you, Gabriella?”

“I do not. It was sad but… scary?”

“It’s because it’s sad that it’s so scary! Honestly, you people have the emotional range of a grape!”

I laughed then.

He looked so cute in his little self-righteous rage.

“I know what’s scarier,” Crash said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“What’s that then?”

“The fact that one day I’ll be handing over the club to the likes of idiots like you. The thought haunts me almost daily.”

“Maybe you should have dressed as Vienna for Halloween then?” I asked, keeping my voice deliberately neutral.

“That’s a really good point,” Vienna nodded. “You’re dressed like… what is that, a magpie?”

“It’s Beetlejuice,” Crash hissed, looking utterly offended.

“If you say so. So, you decided to come dressed as a magpie—”

“Beetlejuice.”

“And yet I’m supposedly the scariest thing? I’m both flattered and insulted. But I suppose it makes sense. Dressing up as me would be a mere imitation. You could never live up to the man, the myth, the legend.”

“Do you know what?” Crash said, shaking his head. “I knew what I was getting into when I entered this conversation, and yet I did it anyway. That’s on me.”

“It really is,” I added, ever so helpfully.

“Maybe you should go away and rethink your life choices?” Vienna suggested.

It was at that point that Crash walked away, leaving me alone with my fox.

“One of these days he’s going to glass you,” I laughed, stepping closer to him.

Vienna grinned down at me and gathered me into his arms.

“Would you protect me?”

“Not a chance,” I said instantly.

“Good choice. I see I chose my woman wisely.”

“You sure did.”

And then his lips lowered to mine, and the rest of the night became a drunken, lustful blur.

Chapter 18

Gabriella