Page 74 of Ruptured

Diesel cocked the hammer, glad he’d pulled his .38 Special, instead of his .9mm. “Hands the fuck up before the back of your throat is gone.”

Tío lifted his hands.

Jiggling the gun, Diesel squeezed Tío’s neck, applying enough pressure to get his point across but not enough for him to lose consciousness if it went on for an extended period. “Maybe, I should fucking kill my lovely wife? What do you say?”

Fuck all. Tío merely stared at Diesel.

“Huh, motherfucker? I can’t hear you.”

Tío grunted.

“Hmmm. I have a better idea. Ripping off your goddamn head and bringing it to Uncle Christopher. I’ll lethimfuck up that cunt.” He laughed wildly. “I’d dance in her fucking blood and piss on her goddamn graves. I’d cut her up myself and dig each little hole. I’d record her fucking screams and jerk off to the sound. You want to fuck with us?Shewants to fuck with us? Do your fucking homework and know who you’re fucking with.”

Tío nodded. Although Diesel shoved him away, he kept his gun on him and ready to fire.

“I can kill you, Diesel.” Tío nodded toward the door. “Lie in wait for you and cut you down as you walk out.”

“Ha. Rule number one is not to give away your plans to your enemy.”

Nostrils flaring, Tío shifted his weight and swiped the back of his hand across his glistening brow. He drew in a deep breath and pasted an unconcerned smile on his face. “Your little show doesn’t impress me. I’m going to shoot you down like a fucking mongrel.”

Studying Tío until he dropped his gaze, Diesel laughed softly. “You’re a fucking pussy,” he whispered, low. “You’re about to shit yourself, afraid I’ll pull the fucking trigger. But I don’t give a fuck. I’ll fucking kill you and not lose sleep. Or I’ll die and not give a fuck. Fucking kill me.I DON’T GIVE A FUCK,” he roared, shoving his gun back into the holster and raising his hands above his head. “Do it, fuckhead. See how long you survive. You’ll have the rest of eternity in hell with me. Tabitha and Bash especially won’t live to see another fucking day. I’m a Caldwell son. They’ll go to war for me.”

Breathing heavily, his eyes wide and shell-shocked, Tío swallowed. “I don’t know a Bash,” he said finally.

Diesel lowered his hands. “I don’t fucking believe you.”

“Look, bro, maybe…maybe, I underestimated you. Uh, I don’t want smoke with the Dwellers.”

“Then walk the fuck away, don’t look back, and we can fucking forget each other’s existence.”

“Tabitha loves you.”

“I give a fuck how?”

“She’s a good fr-friend. She loves you,” he repeated.

“I don’t love her. Never did. Never will. Fuck her.”

A frown pleated Tío’s brow and a glimmer of unease entered his eyes. The fuckhead was finally getting a clue. Still, his hands were balling and he was straightening his shoulders. Preparing to attack. Whether he’d truly feared Diesel at some point, he’d gotten past it. Diesel was ready for whatever the motherfucker planned.

“Who’s Bash?”

“Poor pitiful boy,” Diesel crooned, laughing nastily. “So fucking inexperienced if you thought to throw me with that pretense. Fuck you.”

“I told you I don’t know Bash.” Anger dropped into Tío’s features. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“No,” Diesel said in a hard voice. “I’m calling you amotherfuckingliar.”

“I’ve never met this Bash. I met Tabitha through Shine .”

Thatshocked Diesel. He’d partied with that motherfucker. “Shine?”

“Tabitha turned to him for consolation. She’s torn apart that you’re separating.”

Narrowing his eyes, Diesel stiffened, his mind whirling. “My wife went to Shine because I filed for legal separation?”

Mistaking Diesel’s annoyance as fucking jealousy, Tío smiled and nodded.