Page 137 of Healed

Gabriella

Vienna and I didn’t emerge much that night. Or the next day. We were content to just be in each other’s arms.

It wasn’t always sexual, either. Sometimes we lay in silence, simply enjoying the fact that we were finally free to do this. Other times we talked—really talked. About anything and everything. Nonsense, business, and everything in between.

I finally revealed to him the extent of the horror I had been through with Nico. He listened quietly, absorbing every word, and then kissed me until I could barely remember my name, never mind the horror stories.

He told me about the club business, about Rachel and Dante’s history—which had me howling until my stomach hurt at some points. Rachel singing “I’m Henry the Eighth I am,” when she was arrested rather than answering their questions was a particular favourite of mine.

At one point, we heard giggling outside my bedroom door. When we went to inspect, we saw Jade and Imogen running away, having left a “fucking care package” outside—complete with water, snacks, and some chafing cream.

Delightful.

It was only after forty-eight hours in bed that Dante decided he’d had enough. At an ungodly hour, he kicked open the door and grinned manically at Vienna.

“Oh, no,” he groaned, pulling the pillow over his head.

“Oh, yes,” Dante smiled smugly. He grabbed the pillow and smacked Vienna with it. Then he went around the room and trashed the place—the bin was kicked over, everything was knocked off the desk, the doors were randomly pushed open, the shower turned on, and then cold water was thrown over Vienna.

Surprisingly, though, Vienna didn’t say a word.

It ended with Dante backing out of the room, his middle fingers extended on both hands. “Vienna, thank you for the opportunity—finally. Gabriella, it’s been a pleasure. Barbeque at one. Don’t be late.”

I stared at the empty space he had just been in and then looked at the soaking Vienna in shock. “What the fuck was that about?”

“Revenge,” Vienna muttered, wiping the water off his face.

“Revenge,” I repeated, looking at him expectantly.

“When Dante was kidnapped years ago by Macbeth, he and Rachel had a sex marathon on his return.”

“Let me guess. You interrupted them in a similar way?”

“Yep. That little fucker has had this planned for years. He could have picked any number of women to ambush me with. He was just waiting for you.”

“I don’t know whether to be horrified or flattered. Thank you for sharing your many female conquests with me.”

“You’re welcome. Be grateful I didn’t give you a number.”

He slapped his lips over mine and then jumped out of bed.

“Where are you going?”

“Didn’t you hear the man? Barbeque at one. I’m leaving with or without you, woman. You’ve not attended a barbeque until you’ve been to a Devil’s barbeque.”

Lord, give me strength.

“Get the fuck away from me, Vienna,” Sunshine hissed, waving his metal tongs in Vienna’s direction.

“I’m not doing anything,” Vienna protested, holding his hands up in surrender.

“You’re standing behind me.”

“Since when was that a crime?”

“Since you were fucking born. Move, boy, don’t make me tell you again.”

Vienna graciously took one step backwards.