Page 177 of Ruptured

Before either one of them said anything else, Tabitha swung the door open, strutting in and wearing a fur coat with a matching hat.

Her gaze traveled from Axel to Diesel. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Diesel’s intentions had been to bring Tabitha to the bedroom, fuck her, and warn her if she ever spouted such fucking lies about him or Rebel, he’d fucking kill her. He’d wanted to describe how Shine begged and pleaded for his life, then screamed in agony for a split second. But he was hungry, exhausted, and needed to head to the club. Besides, none of what he wanted to say to her mattered. Diesel just wanted peace. Fucking Tabitha wouldn’t change anything. She might end up pregnant. She’d believe he couldn’t do without her. He was done with the fucking games. If he wanted to be worthy in Uncle Christopher and Aunt Meggie’s eyes, he had to act like he had fucking sense.

“Why the fuck did you tell Johnnie I’ve fucked Rebel?” Diesel demanded.

She smirked. “I didn’t think he’d actually believe it.”

“That’s Uncle Johnnie,” Axel blared. “He believes all idiots ‘cause he’s a fucking idiot.”

“Are you calling me an idiot, Axel?” Tabitha screeched.

“Do you know anything about context clues?” he asked.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Obviously, you don’t,” Axel grumbled. “Not if you got to ask me that question.”

“You’re a child—”

“I’mOutlaw’schild,” Axel countered. “Just like Diesel, so if you lie on him or me or any of us, Dad won’t like it.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I don’t got to threaten you. I can tell Ransom and Ryder if Dad’s busy andwewill getyou.”

“Enough, Axel,” Diesel warned.

Axel’s words angered Tabitha. Diesel didn’t need her going off the deep end toward his little brother.

“She’s my wife. I will handle her.”

Tabitha glowered at Diesel. “I’m your wife again? News to me.”

“You’re taking too long,” Axel said. “And I’m hungry. She’ll go back and forth with you forever. I’ll end up just a skeleton ‘cause all the meat will be starved from me.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Tabitha hollered.

“I can tell Mom and she’ll order you dead,” Axel declared.

Tabitha snapped her mouth shut.

“Be mean to me one more time. Tell another lie on my sister and brother so Dad’ll get mad at Diesel, and me, Ryder, and Ransom will kidnap you and stuff you in one of Uncle Mort’s acid vats.Orwe’ll tell Mom, and Dad won’t have a choice but to fuck you up. A happy wife is a happy life. I got personal experience with that. When Mom was mad at Dad, none of us was happy. So if you like living, back off.”

“Fine,” Tabitha gritted.

“Why’d you lie on Reb to Uncle Johnnie?” Axel asked.

“I’m mad at Diesel. He was with his bitch. Now, he wants a divorce.”

“That don’t give you a right to lie onoursister, stupid,” Axel said.

“I can do anything I please. Hurt people hurt people.”

“Stupid saying,” Axel grumbled, then huffed. “That means ‘cause you’re hurt you want to hurt Diesel?”

“Exactly.”