Page 22 of Salvation

But since when did having no right ever stop Dante? He was a hypocrite through and through. I would be expected to forgive and forget Vicky, but any past lovers of mine would be punished.

I pushed it to the back of my mind, deciding not to borrow tomorrow’s troubles, and went back into the bar where theentire club was waiting for me—although a quick glance around showed that Kitty was missing.

Interesting.

My eyes scanned the room, ignoring the death glares Vicky threw my way, before they eventually fell on Vienna. I made my way over to him, and he immediately held his hands up.

“I surrender,” he said, pushing himself backwards and wailing at the top of his lungs. “Don’t hurt me, Rachel, don’t hurt me.”

“You’re fucking odd. Did you know that?”

“I know you are, but what am I?”

“Fuck off,” I laughed. “Did you seriously just say that?”

He jumped to his feet and grabbed me before I realised what he was doing. One second I was laughing at him, the next he had me in a headlock, rubbing his knuckles into the top of my head. “I’ve missed you, our kid,” he said, sending my hair flying all over my face.

“Vienna! Vienna, get the fuck off me! Stop!” I laughed, trying to punch him in the stomach.

“Are you sorry for calling me odd?”

“No.”

He dug his knuckles in harder.

“No, no, wait!” I panted, unable to stop laughing. “I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry! Let me go!”

“I don’t believe you, but…” he did as I asked, shoving me into one of the couches and flopped next to me, making my body bounce with the sheer size of him. He lay on his back, his head resting on my lap, and twiddled his beard with a stupid grin on his face.

“You need to seek a well-trained, well-paid therapist,” I hissed at him, attempting to tidy my hair.

“Thank you. Nice to see you ditched the black wig.”

“I’m surprised you noticed. You seemed too busy sticking needles in my neck.”

“But did you die?”

“I… No, but—”

“But did you die, though?”

“Clearly fucking not, Vienna. But—”

“Well, you didn’t die. So, what you mad for?”

“I’m mad because you drugged me!”

“Prove it.”

I pushed him with all my might, sending him flying to the floor. “But did you die, though?” I mimicked.

“Touché,” he grinned before sitting on my knee and wrapping his arms around my neck.

“Jesus Christ! Did you have nothing but pure sugar for breakfast? Why are you… you?”

“Admit it, Rachel. You missed me. You can say it. I won’t tell anyone.”

“Has Dante gone soft all of a sudden?” I panted, trying to shove him off me. “Because the Dante I knew wouldn’t tolerate you wrapped around me like this.”

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