Page 215 of Ruptured

Kaia snorted. “Says the motherfucker who doesn’t have to worry about it.”

“I didn’t choose my lot in life, so I won’t apologize for it.”

“I suppose this is the part where you tell me I need to work hard because I can achieve this, too.”

“No, fuckhead, this is the part where I tell you, you don’t have to worry about anything anymore. If your parents and brother need help, they’ll get it. As long as you fucking behave, Mom has your back. Otherwise, my dad will kill you andshe’lltell him to do it.” With one last filthy look, CJ turned and stormed away.

Now, it was almost time for Kaia to report to duty again. When he’d awakened, he hadn’t been hungry, but now he felt the first grumbles. Mrs. Caldwell told him he had the run of the house and to make himself at home.

He glanced at the bathroom with a green and white color scheme and a design he’d seen in magazines. His bedroom with red and gray décor, was more of the same. He’d put his new wardrobe in his walk-in closet and invited Kayce over later this evening.

The wall clock chimed the 8AM hour, so Kaia snatched the key to his bedroom and stuffed it in his pocket, then hesitated to take his phone. Mrs. Caldwell said he could carry it with him, but most of his jobs had a very rigid cell phone policy.Turn theringer off. Don’t talk except on breaks or during lunch.Some didn’t even allow emergency calls.

Suppose he took it and played a game when he finished sweeping? Would she fire him?

Someone pounded on his door. Sighing, Kaia laid the phone on his king-sized bed and unlocked the knob. Before he opened the door, Diesel slammed it against the wall, stalked in, and punched it closed.

Raising his hands, Kaia backed up. Not saying anything, Diesel stood toe-to-toe, their noses almost touching, and glared at him.

“I’m leaving for a few days,” he announced, and Kaia almost danced in joy. “I fucking hate that you’ll be here.”

“The only person who treats me nice is Mrs. Caldwell and Rebel, so my presence shouldn’t make a difference. It certainly won’t infringe on your place in the family.”

“Nothing can change that, and why should any of us treat you any better than what you are?”

“What’s that, Diesel? What areyou?” He wanted to lower his hands, but he didn’t trust Diesel, an understanding he’d gotten too late. “I’ve never done a fucking thing to you.”

“I beg to differ.”

Kaia searched his mind for a time when he’d ever been anything but affable with Diesel Caldwell. “Is it my poetry?”

“That nonsense you spout isn’t poetry, and you know it.” Diesel scowled and backed away. “Put your fucking hands down. As much as I want to smother you and then use your fucking eyeballs for target practice, Aunt Meggie won’t allow it. She’s already hurt and angry. I won’t add to her distress.”

“Rebel likes my poetry.” He refused to comment on anything else.

Diesel glared at him.

He hadn’t been out of his mind the other day. Kaia shook his head. “You’re jealous of me.”

“An accusation you’ve already leveled at me, and I have denied it.”

“Denial doesn’t equate to innocence.”

“Your insinuation disgusts me.”

“When she’s made up, she looks about seventeen or eighteen. Other times as well, especially when she’s not in her school uniform.”

“I’ll forget you fucking said that.”

“You didn’t seek me out to tell me ‘bye’, so why are you here?”

“I’m going to marry someone soon.”

Kaia didn’t comment. As far as he knew, Diesel was already married. As much as CJ disliked his sister-in-law, if she was no longer part of the family, Kaia would’ve heard about it.

“Should I step out of the way for you to pursue Rebel?” Diesel began circling, stopping only to smile coldly and impart, “or should I show her how you’re guided by your cock?”

“Mrs. Caldwell said you couldn’t—”