Page 88 of Monster Mania

“We deal with it later,” Monster said. Ghost didn't look happy, but he nodded. Monster pointed toward the door. “We're leaving.”

Drifter helped Crow stand, and Jackhammer grabbed Razor. Ghost moved beside Angel, and Bishop remained several feet away. He wasn’t pushing her, and she appreciated that. They stepped outside, and the cold October air hit Angel's face. She breathed deeply. The sky was beginning to lighten at the horizon. They'd been here all night.

Angel looked toward the road. “I'm not going to my father's house.”

Ghost frowned. “What about the key?”

“Razor already got it,” she said.

“And the grave?” Ghost asked.

Angel's chest tightened at the thought of her mother’s grave. “We'll come back.”

“When you're ready,” Jackhammer said. She looked at him.

“Yeah,” she breathed. Ghost opened the SUV door for her, and Angel stopped before climbing inside. “Where are we going?”

Ghost stared at her like the answer was obvious. “Home.”

Her heart stumbled. “Monster's Madhouse?”

“Unless you've got somewhere better to go,” Ghost said. She didn't. For seven years, she'd had apartments, motels, and temporary addresses. They were places where she kept a bag packed beside the door, but they were never a home.

Angel climbed into the SUV. Jackhammer got in beside her and Ghost climbed in on the other side. She looked from one to the other. “You realize there's an entire back seat.”

“Yep,” Hammer said.

“And yet you're both sitting on top of me,” she pointed out.

Ghost stretched his legs. “Problem?”

“Yes,” she whispered. Neither moved, and Angel smiled. “Assholes.” Jackhammer kissed her temple, and Ghost took her hand.

Monster climbed behind the wheel and looked at them in the rearview mirror. “Everybody comfortable?”

“No,” Angel said.

“Good.” He started the engine and his gaze settled on her. “Halloween party is still happening.”

Angel laughed. “After all this?”

“Especially after all this,” Monster said.

“You're insane,” she assessed.

“I've been told,” Monster said.

Ghost squeezed her hand. “You're coming.” It wasn't a question. Angel looked out the window. Months ago, Halloween had meant nothing. It was just another date and another night to get through. Now she pictured Monster's Madhouse covered in fake spiderwebs, Larry wearing his stupid cape, music, whiskey, and best of all—Ghost and Hammer. It was a place where people knew her name; a place she didn't have to run from.

Angel looked at Ghost to Jackhammer. “Yeah.”

Hammer smiled. “Yeah?”

“I'll come to the party.” Ghost shook his head. “What?”

“You're still thinking like a guest.”

Angel frowned. “What am I supposed to think like?” He and Jackhammer exchanged one of those looks she was starting to recognize. She pointed between them. “No.”