Page 47 of The Laughing Game

I slammed my palms against the steering wheel.

“For fuck’s sake!” I cursed. “I was having such a good day.”

A familiar car appeared in my rearview mirror. I turned to see Vihaal’s Audi and felt some relief. I wasn’t stranded.

Gideon opened the Audi’s passenger door and slipped out, walking over. I rolled my window down. Yes—actually rolled it. That’s how old this car was.

“Hi. My fucking pissant of a car won’t start,” I grouched.

“Oh fuck,” Gideon said. “That’s no good. Do you have CAA?”

I shook my head. “I forgot to renew it. So, no.”

“Shit,” Gideon said.

“Yeah.”

I heard the low rumble of Vihaal’s voice but couldn’t make out what he said.

“Car’s dead!” Gideon said. “No, he doesn’t have CAA.”

Vihaal said something else and Gideon turned back to me.

“Vihaal says to come home with us. I agree. We can figure out what to do in the morning.”

“Oh, fuck. Really?”

“Yeah, of course. Or we can drive you home. We’re not leaving youhere.”

“I mean, I’d love to go home with you. If it won’t be too much trouble.”

“What? Of course not. Now come on, it’s freezing out here. I’ll even let you sit up front, withthe chauffeur.”

Vihaal muttered something and Gideon laughed.

“Oh, now I’m in for it. Better come home and save my skin, Angel.”

I got in the car. Gideon got in the back. Vihaal looked at me.

“I would call this a fortuitous circumstance.”

“My car dying is fortuitous?” I asked wryly.

“Well, now we get the chance to swoop in and save you. And bring you home,” Vihaal said. “Don’t you want to come home with us?”

I gazed at Vihaal, then at Gideon.

“Of course I fucking do.”

Chapter Eleven

To say that my car refusing to start that night was a strange but welcome development would be an understatement. Vihaal and Gideon seemed delighted to swoop in and save me and take me home, because now they could entertain me.

“Anyone for a drink?” Vihaal asked as we took off our coats.

“Hell yes,” I said. “What have you got?”

“Oh, all kinds of things. Wine, spirits, mixers. There might even be a couple of IPAs in the mini fridge.”

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