Page 94 of Massacre
“I’m fine, thank you,” I said as the fucker across from me—still smug, still unbothered—eyed the steam rising from Romeo’s cup.
“So, are we done posturing for the morning, or shall I pencil in a second round before lunch?”
I didn’t bother to answer. Instead, I stood, pushing back my chair. The scrape echoed through the diner. Trudy’s gaze darted to me, brows lifting in a silent question, but I smiled. “Trudy. Maybe you’d like to step into the back room.”
Looking between me and the fucker across from me, she took a step back. “I think you may be right. Word of warning, boys. You break it. You buy it,” she said before she scurried away.
“Suit yourself,” the man murmured, returning his attention to the condensation on his glass as he shrugged off his suit jacket and stood.
Out of the corner of my eye, Romeo shoved a muffin in his mouth just as his cell phone dinged. Reaching for it, he smiled and mumbled incoherently, “Err ood et ooh”
“What?” I snapped, glaring at the moron.
Swallowing, Romeo clearly said, “You’re good to go!”
And that was all I needed to hear as I threw back my arm and let it fly toward the fucker’s face.
My punch connected with a satisfying crack as the fucker’s head snapped back, blood spraying from his nose. He staggered, eyes wide with shock, and I followed up with a swift kick to the gut that sent him doubling over. I grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled his face close to mine. “You’re mine now, you son of a bitch.” I drew back my arm and slammed my fist into his face again, feeling the crunch of bone under my knuckles before I slammed his face down onto the table.
Growling, the fucker charged me, tackling me right in the stomach, as we both tumbled over tables and chairs to the floor. The fucker was strong, I’d give him that. We grappled on the floor, knocking over chairs and sending muffins flying. I landed a few solid blows, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone and cartilage under my fists. But the bastard kept coming, his eyeswild with fear and adrenaline. I could see the panic on his face as he realized he was in way over his head. Romeo whooped and hollered, egging me on as we crashed into a table, sending it toppling. I headbutted the fucker, feeling the impact vibrate through my skull. He howled in pain, but he still didn’t go down.
Trudy screamed from the back room, but I barely heard her over the roar of my own blood in my ears. I wanted to tear this motherfucker apart, limb from limb. He made my wife’s life a living hell, and for that, he would pay with his life.
With a primal roar, I threw him off me and surged to my feet as the fucker scrambled up too, his face a mask of blood and fury. We circled each other like wild animals, both of us breathing hard. I could see the calculation in his eyes as he looked for an opening, a way to strike. But I was faster, and my rage gave me strength.
I lunged, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him close. I could feel his hot, panicked breath on my face. “You’re dead, you son of a bitch,” I snarled, my voice low and dangerous. “That was for Amber. But this is for threatening my family.” And with that, I headbutted him again, feeling the satisfying crack of bone before I picked him up and hurled him through the glass window and out into the streets of Diamond Creek.
The fucker flew through the window, shards of glass raining down on him as he crashed to the ground outside. I strode to the broken window, my eyes never leaving the son of a bitch. He struggled to his feet, bloodied and dazed, but the look in his eyes was pure hatred as he waved a knife at me.
“Oh, now you wanna play?” I bared my teeth in a feral grin as my boot crunched on broken glass. Stepping through the window, I cracked my knuckles. “Then let’s play.”
The fucker charged at me, knife glinting in the morning light. I sidestepped, grabbing his arm and twisting. He cried out in pain, but I didn’t let go. Instead, I used his momentum againsthim, flipping him over my shoulder and sending him crashing down onto the pavement.
The knife skittered across the road, sliding to a stop near Romeo’s feet. The muffin crumbs on his face seemed to dance with glee as he watched the fight unfold. “You like playing with knives, huh?” he said, picking it up, flipping it in his hand before throwing it at the motherfucker.
Daniel screamed, and I smiled as I watched Romeo hit his mark and the knife embedded itself deep into his thigh.
Advancing on the fucker, I said, “Tickles, doesn’t it,” as I kicked him in the ribs, hearing the satisfying crack of bone. He coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
“That’s for Amber,” I snarled. “And this,” I added, kicking him again, “is for every fucking kid you destroyed.”
The fucker tried to scramble away, but I was on him in an instant, my boot connecting with his jaw. He slumped to the ground, dazed and broken, as someone grabbed me from behind.
Shrugging the newcomer off, I threw back my arm again when I heard the person behind me howl. Quickly turning, I saw a local deputy hunch over, grabbing his nose.
Blood dripped from between his fingers.
“You broke my nose!”
“Then stay the hell back!” I barely got out before the fucker sucker-punched me in the gut and then managed a cheap shot to my face. Looking down at my stomach, I sneered as I pulled the knife slowly out. Dropping it on the ground, I roared, then heard Romeo’s voice.
“Finish it, Mass!” Romeo shouted. “Company is coming!”
And that’s when I heard the sirens and pipes coming up fast.
Walking over to the fucker, I grabbed him by the collar and pulled out my gun. Pointing it directly at his head, I smiled. “This is for Amber, you sick motherfucker.”
“Massacre, NO!” I vaguely heard King roar as I fired my gun.
