Page 70 of Healed

“Gabriella doesn’t care, do you, Gabby?”

“I—”

“Attagirl,” Dante interrupted as Gabriella tried to speak.

“Fine. But you’ll hurt Stoic’s feelings.”

“Couldn’t give a fuck about Stoic’s feelings.”

“Right!” I snapped. “That is fucking it! Where is Pivot with that damned suggestion box? I’m getting that film banned from the entire compound!”

“Why?” Gabriella asked.

“Seems like an overreaction to me,” Dante said.

“He’s probably just scared that if people watch it too much, they’ll start asking him for his autograph.”

“Hahaha,” I said, walking over to Rachel. “Ahahaha. Hahahaha. Everything you say is just so funny.”

And then I grabbed her in a headlock and nuggied the shit out of her.

“Stop!” Rachel screeched through her laughter. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

“I don’t believe you,” I said, doing it even harder.

“None of you are being very quiet,” Steph muttered. She had now raised her head and was propping herself up with her chin in her hand.

“Vienna!” Rachel hissed, slapping at my body and trying to dig her nails into my stitches.

“You vicious little cow,” I laughed back. “I thought we were hair buddies?”

“Boss?”

We all paused at the breathless voice as Riley ran into the kitchen.

“Boss, you’re gonna want to see this.”

“What’s happened?” Dante asked.

I let go of Rachel and my eyes immediately went to Gabriella. She looked at me, as though seeking reassurance, and I walked over to her, standing slightly in front of her as though the mere presence of my body could protect her from whatever Riley had to say.

“Hacksaw captured Nico’s vice.”

Dante laughed, and in that one sharp noise, the entire atmosphere of the room changed.

It became colder. More cruel.

“Where is he?” Dante asked.

“He’s in the garage.”

“Vienna?”

“Already on it. Rachel?”

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” she promised.

“Gabriella?” I said, looking down at her.