Page 71 of Savage Devil
“To Bibiana. What happened? Is she hurt? Is Luis—“
“No. They’re both fine.”
I pull up short. “Then why the fuck are you here?”
He exhales a harsh breath. “I’m here because she isn’t and because someone needs to talk some goddamn sense into you.”
I bark out a laugh. Oh. This is rich.
“Why the fuck do you care?” I swear it’s like I can’t catch a fucking break. All week I’ve had to watch my girl from a distance. I’ve had to pretend I’m fine with this situation when I’m anything but. I’ve had to watch her get out of this asshole’s car every goddamn morning only to climb back into it at the end of the day. And he’s here to what? Rub it in my face that Bibiana doesn’t want me anymore? That she was pissed off about something I didn’t even do and decided to make decisions that don’t only affect her life, they affect mine.Fuck.This is bullshit.
“Fuck off. I have nothing to say to you.” I turn to storm back to my front door.
His eyes narrow and he takes two steps forward, blocking my way and shoving his finger into my chest. It takes everything in me not to swing for his face. The guy has some fucking nerve showing up while he’s moving in on what’s mine. And no one can convince me that that isn’t exactly what he’s doing.
“Fuck me? Really. God, you’re such a child. Grow the hell up, man.”
My nostrils flare. “Get out of my way.”
“Not until you hear me out.”
“Why? Nothing you have to say means anything to me. Your opinions are lower than shit as far as I’m concerned, so go crawl back to whatever hole you came out of and leave me the hell alone. You already got the girl. What else could you possibly want from me?”
“God, are you hearing yourself? You’re so fucking selfish.”
“Excuse me?”
He advances on me. “You heard me. You’re selfish. All you’re thinking about is how this affects you. Woe is me. Poor Emilio didn’t get the girl. How sad.” He sneers. “Do you have any idea what Bibiana is dealing with right now?”
“Don’t act like you care—“
“I don’t. Not about you. But I care about her. I care about Luis.”
I snort. “Right. You care so much that—“
“That I went out of my way to talk to the last person I want in their lives. The one person who can take them away from me. Yeah, asshole. That’s how much I care, so shut the fuck up and listen.”
My jaw snaps shut at his words. I bite the inside of my cheek until I taste blood and wait for him to say whatever it is he came here to say. I’m in no mood to deal with this guy, but he doesn’t look like he’s going to leave until he says his peace.
“That girl has been through hell, and you don’t even know the half of it.”
“But you do? Is that it?” I shake my head. If this is some twisted ploy to—
“Shut up! God. You are so goddamn arrogant. Are you too fucking proud to see what you’re about to lose?”
My lip curls into a snarl. “I already lost her, or haven’t you heard?” I cock my head to the side. What’s this guy’s end game? Is he here to gloat? Does this little chat earn him brownie points or some shit? So he can go back to tell my girl that he put me in my place. Is that it?
“I can’t believe you’re this dense. That girllovesyou.”
My heart skips a beat before kicking back into overdrive. I school my expression, refusing to let this fucker see just what hearing those words does to me. I pop my knuckles. Maybe I will punch him after all. If he thinks he can come over here and dangle that shit in my face—lie to me about something so important and get away with it. Nah. Not fucking happening,cabrón.Not today.
I’m about to tell him exactly how I feel about what he’s doing, but he just keeps on talking, oblivious to the rage brewing inside me.
“You need to man up and fight for her.”
“She told me to back off,” I remind him, knowing full well he was eavesdropping when she and I spoke.
“Porca puttana!”he curses.
