Page 120 of Magic or Madness

I made it a point to cook a weak-ass breakfast, and I look the part of a disgruntled wife. My hair is a mess, tossed up in a careless bun, and my outfit is one of Ozzy’s favorite sweatshirts, paired with pajama shorts. Normally, I’m awake before everyone, taking my time in the shower and getting ready for either yoga, or job planning, but today neither of those things pique my interest.

On top of that, Ozzy and I haven’t spoken a word to each other since our fight, and he didn’t attempt to mend things between us last night, or this morning.

Soon, it’ll be time for Max’s meeting, but I want to say something before the long planning session. The thing is, my interference is only going to alienate me from Ozzy further.

“What would Masha say about this job?” I ask, and everyone’s eyes land on me, a few shocked faces amongst the group.

“Fallon –” Ozzy tries to stop me, but I hold my hand up.

“It’s a valid question, Ozzy, considering the last time you guys went on a risky job, the risk wasn’t worth the reward,” I say, and he shakes his head, hating that I’m bringing my concerns up in front of everyone.

Nobody says anything, analyzing the way we’re speaking – and not speaking – to each other, but finally, Oliver is the first to offer something up.

“She wouldn’t have voted to take it with as many loopholes as there are, for whatever that’s worth,” he says, averting his eyes from Ozzy’s as he seemingly takes my side.

“Masha wouldn’t have been happy, but she would’ve done the job she was hired to do.” Ozzy grits through his teeth, keeping his focus directly on me.

“I thought it was worth it to mention,” I say in defense, taking my plate and throwing my uneaten breakfast in the trash.

“She would’ve found a way around the blackmail. Masha hated to be told what to do, or having her hand forced. So, she would’ve done anything possible to hit back,” Journey chimes in from the couch, adding a neutral point of view to the mix.

His comment gives me a new idea, something I can possibly use to my advantage, but before I can articulate it aloud, I’m overshadowed.

“Listen, we can argue until we’re blue in the face about this, but it would be a waste of time. Get your asses in here and let’s find something new,” Max orders, and everyone follows his lead toward the whiteboard.

Pepper and Cami excuse themselves, downing their coffee and tossing their empty plates in the trash, eager to get away from the chaos.

“Bedroom. Now,” Ozzy whispers, a fire lit behind those chocolate-brown eyes.

“Ozzy! Fallon! Get the fuck in here!” Max yells, his frustration growing as our conflict is now sprinkling onto everyone else in the crew.

I understand why it would piss him off, but let’s face it, someone had to speak up, and I’m not sorry that it was me.

“Two minutes, boss,” Ozzy calls out, shutting the door behind us.

“What? You can’t be mad at me for being worried, okay? This is my life, too.Youare my life!” I exclaim, but he doesn’t say a word, his eyes piercing holes into mine while his chest heaves rapidly.

In a split second, he pushes me against the door with force, his hands wrapped around my waist.

“I fucking love you, my fierce little Goddess.” He tugs at the chain around my neck, and relief washes over me.

We can’t possibly stay mad at each other, even if we’re on opposite sides of the spectrum regarding a decision.

A sly smile spreads across his face, and he leans in, gently kissing my lips. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling his body to mine, and letting this kiss take me back to a place where everything is okay, and there’s no turmoil between us.

I break our lips apart, take a deep breath, and place my hands on his chest.

“I’m not fightingyou, Ozzy. I’m trying to fight for you,for us. Please understand that,” I whisper, and he takes my hands in his.

“You’re right, Bambi. We can’t do this job, not unless a fucking miracle falls into our laps today.”

I resist the urge to smile, feeling grateful that he understands where I’m coming from. Now, we just need to convince everyone else to back out, regardless of the consequences.

“You went straight for the jugular, bringing up Masha,” he says, and I shrug my shoulders, not planning on being apologetic for hitting every single person out there where it hurts.

“I know you guys. Besides, I think she’s been warning me about this job all along, and I couldn’t ignore her,” I tell him, and his facial expression softens, effectively ending the standoff we’ve been in since last night.

“You’re something else, you know that?” He lifts my chin until our eyes meet, that smoldering heat crawling up my back like tiny, tingling spiders, but instead of reacting, I bite my lip, pushing him off me.

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