Page 81 of Truck Stop Titan

An unholy growl tore from Hammer’s throat, raising my hackles. He made to reach inside his cut when the diner’s cowbell rattled and Rocky burst through the door, barreling our way, skidding to a halt at my side.

“Whoa,” he shouted. “Is that your motorcycle?”

Tango followed, hot on his heels, and swear to the asphalt gods, Pretty Boy looked ready to tear me to shreds. Fuck. I knew what was coming, had been expecting a war, but I hoped like hell he would wait until there wasn’t an audience.

“Get inside, Rocky. Now.” Tango came at me, those unnaturally green eyes deadly sharp and spitting venom. “Take Mim and go to the office until I come and get you.”

I dismounted, set Mim on her feet and told her to go with Rocky. She didn’t hesitate, grabbing Rocky’s hand, and dashing back inside.

The second that cowbell rattled, Pretty Boy swung, and damn, his aim was spot on, his right hook blinding me with a colorful explosion of bright lights. “The fuck you doing bringing your filth to my diner?”

I caught my balance and charged, knocking the surly fucker in his expensive suit to the ground. He had every right to pummel me, and were I a better man, I’d have stood still and let him purge, but I’d wanted to turn that smug mug to pulp since grade school, and damn if I’d give up the opportunity.

Rocks tore at my jeans, dug into my back, then my face. He swung, I countered. My nose cracked, his lip tore wide open.

Tango was faster, but I was meaner, and I had no problem fighting dirty, going for the throat, balls, spleen, hell, I wasn’t above hair pulling to keep the upper hand, and the rich boy had plenty of hair to grab.

Blondie, being Tango’s kryptonite, yelled, “Jesus fucking Christ Tango! Your son is watching,” tearing his attention away from the fight, and giving me the upper hand.

I twisted, grabbing his throat, and laid my full weight over the top of him, then dug my fingers deep, ensuring he knew his next breath depended on my generosity.

Only because Blondie begged, “Dane. Let him go,” did I loosen my grip.

“You drugged me,” he wheezed. “You sick motherfucker. I never would’ve fucked Addison that night. You drugged me goddammit. Six soulless, miserable years I suffered because of you. That’s all on you!”

Asshole was right. I deserved any punishment he deemed fit. I hadn’t only hurt Rossi, I’d hurt Blondie, and that girl didn’t deserve the hell she’d gone through. I fell back on my ass. Tango wasn’t one to waste an opportunity. Once, twice, he struck my jaw, laid me flat in the gravel, and I didn’t fight back. Pretty boy could have his retribution.

No doubt, the guy would’ve crushed my skull with his fist, had Blondie not warned, “The kids are watching.”

Tango trembled, his bloodied face twisted. “Get out of my town.”

“Can’t,” I rasped, blood choking me.

“Like hell,” he growled, landing two more licks to my jaw.

“I ain’t leavin’.”

“Tango,” Blondie warned.

Fisting my shirt, he leaned closer. “I’ll fucking kill you.”

Out of habit, I taunted, “You’re too much of a pussy.”

“Stop!” Blondie screamed, using the full force of her body to shove Tango. He slumped at my side, heaving, every muscle coiled to strike.

Standing over me, she ordered, “Dane. Get out of here. Get yourself cleaned up. Mim can stay with me today.”

Then, turning her venom on her man, she scolded, “Tango, get out of my sight. You two are acting like a couple of pimple-faced, ’roid-raging, high schoolers. Go.” She kicked at Pretty Boy. “Get out of here.” She marched off, still yelling, “This is my place of business, and you’re turning it into a freakin’ circus sideshow, and not even a good one.”

Tango hopped to his feet, whereas I had to roll to my side, push to hands and knees, then breathe through the pain while I rocked to my heels and eventually crouched. Only through stubborn pride was I able to stand upright, where, what do ya know, Pretty Boy met me bloody nose to bloody nose.

“Get the fuck off my property.” He spit, pointed toward Hammer and Low-Key. “And take your trash with you when you leave.” Brushing the dirt off his shirt, he turned and stormed toward the back of the diner.

“Pathetic.” Hammer huffed.

“Get the fuck outta my sight,” I mumbled, though I wasn’t sure my jaw worked right.

Hammer advanced, getting right up in my grill. “You got something of mine,” he said, voice low and threatening. “Soon as I get it back, you’ll never see me again.”

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