Page 108 of Pretty Poison
“Nah,” Rocky said. “They all call you dumbass and douchebag. What do you want?”
“Fuck you,” Duggins slurred.
“Nah. There’s no room at the inn.”
“Look who’s become a smug little bastard. To be honest, I didn’t think you had it in you, Jacobs.” Duggins chuckled. “You let that crazy bitch turn you into a limped-dick, sniveling crybaby. That’s why I kept feeding those tidbits to the journalist to keep that story alive. I’d hoped you’d eat a bullet, but I settled for you leaving Vegas. I hadn’t anticipated Asher turning into a mopey, pathetic man once you did. He got sloppy and ended up with a knife in his back. I thought it would be the wake-up call he needed, but he chose you again.”
Thinking of how close he’d come to losing Asher made Rocky seethe with anger. When black dots swam in front of his eyes, he knew he was close to losing control. Rocky pushed the thoughts out of his mind and took a steadying breath. “What you did to Julia Warner’s mother and children was inexcusable. It’s one thing to fuck up my life, but those kids…”
“Boo-fucking-hoo,” Duggins jeered. “They’re better off without her as far as I’m concerned. This isn’t over between us, Jacobs. First you took Asher away from me, and now my job. I’m going to destroy you.”
Rocky took a deep breath. “No,” he said calmly. “And here’s why. You’re not smart enough, Duggy. You’re sloppy and leave a mile-wide trail of evidence in your wake. Someone stupid enough to use their USMS email addy to leak information to the press is not a worthy opponent. And if you’re going to keep making harassing posts on social media, don’t use a computer or device attached to your own IP address. I’ve got the receipts for those too, asshole. You make those mustache-twirling cartoon villains look smart. We’re going to hang up this phone, and we’re never going to speak again. You’re never going to call Asher either.”
“You can’t do shit to me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve recorded this conversation, and I won’t hesitate to use it.”
“You recorded it without my permission, so you can’t use it against me.”
Rocky chuckled. “Georgia is a single-party consent state, asshole. Fuck with me or Asher again, and I will take you down. I could use my podcast to expose your behavior, or I could sue you for defamation of character. Maybe I won’t win, but your reputation will be ruined, and you won’t even be able to land a job as a mall cop. For fuck’s sake, man, seek professional help.”
“You arrogant little shit. I oughta—”
“Warmest regards, Duggins,” Rocky said before disconnecting. He stopped the recording and looked at his husband. “Damn, that felt good.”
Asher’s grin was big and contagious.
“What?”
“Warmest regards?”
Rocky shrugged. “It just felt right.”
“I’m so fucking sorry, Rocky. I knew there was tension between the two of you, but I was oblivious to the source and the depth of his betrayal. I promise I won’t ever let you down like that again.”
“I should’ve spoken up and been honest with you about everything. I should’ve had enough faith in us to know you would’ve chosen me.”
“I’ll always choose you, baby,” Asher said. “Do you think he’ll leave us alone?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I meant what I told him, though. My brain has been my real nemesis, and I’ll beat its mustache-twirling ass too. You promised me forever, and I’m not settling for anything less.”
Asher moved closer to kiss Rocky, but Fiona got between them. “How’s Daddy’s little cockblocker?” he asked in a sweet voice.
Rocky gasped and covered her ears. “You know what time it is.”
Asher laughed and lifted the leash off the coffee table. “Is this what you want?”
Fiona barked and spun around in circles. Asher stood up and held out his hand to Rocky. “We’ll resume this when we return.” He tugged Rocky into his arms for a short, hard kiss.
“Because you always keep your promises.”
“I do.”
“Ifeel underdressed,” Asher said.
Rocky looked over at his husband who was dressed in a sexy-as-fuck black suit and a crisp white shirt opened at the throat. “Why? I’m not wearing a tie.”
“No, but you have those fancy black-diamond cuff links.” Asher strode across the room and lifted Rocky’s hand. “You wore those on our wedding day too.”