Give and Receive - Bundle (Books 1-2): New Adult Romance (12 page)

Eventually he stopped listening. Not that it mattered.

She continued yelling, screaming and hurling obscenities at him. All he did was point to the door. Enraging her further.

He was beyond caring about anything she had to say.

Her threats. Her ultimatums.

Her scary, predatory teeth on his dick.

Danny shuddered. That had to rank up there with the top ten reasons he was glad not to be fucking Elizabeth anymore.

Maybe number one.

All he could think about was how much time he wasted.

Years he was never going to get back. Time he could have spent worshipping at Lena’s fucking feet for still loving him after all these years. Which she did, he knew. Or thought he knew. She had to. All of this meant nothing if she didn’t.

“Hey.”

Danny was still lost in thought.

“Danny.”

He continued ignoring Elizabeth. Considering the fact that Lena might not want him anymore. She had to. It made this whole sacrifice almost pointless.

He couldn’t think about that right now.

He knew no matter what, Elizabeth was a cancer. She needed to be removed, before she infected him any further.

There was no cure for her kind of tumorous growth. She would keep spreading her poison until he was empty.

A hollowed out corpse. Completely dead inside.

That
 was why he had to get away. Before it was too late. Whether Lena wanted him or not was irrelevant.

This was a matter of life or death.

His life.

Elizabeth’s imminent death, if he had to endure one more day with her. He was sure of it.

The idea of wrapping his hands around her throat and squeezing, until he could feel the tiny little snap of her neck was so tempting, so real, so-

“Hey, 
asshole
. I’m talking to you.”

Elizabeth snapped her fingers in his face.

“Hello? Anyone home?”

She was still breathing, unfortunately. Very much alive.

So much for
that
fantasy.

Danny scowled. “Aren’t you gone yet?”

“Oh, almost. I was thinking about some things and thought we could talk about them. What’s the rush, Danny boy?”

He always hated when she called him that.

She knew that, of course.

This was, of course, why she always did it.

“What on earth would I possibly have to say to you, besides recommending your repugnant ass get tested for syphilis, gonorrhea and any other sexually transmitted disease you’ve collected?”

Danny grinned as her skin flushed. Reddening to a dark shade of crimson. Oh, yeah. She was pissed.

“You’re a douche. You know that, Danny boy? A complete douche.”

“No…a complete douche is what you probably should use right now. Your pussy gives my house an absolutely putrid smell. I worry it might never come out. Perhaps that’s because it’s always open for business, eh, Lizzy?”

He smiled, showing all his teeth.

“Get out, Elizabeth. Now.”

She ignored him, but he knew he struck a nerve.

He watched the temple above her eye start to tick.

“Surely we have time for a little chat, before I leave.”

“Actually, we don’t.”

“Actually, I think we do. In fact, I 
know
 you’ll want to hear this.”

“Make it fast, Elizabeth. The lobotomy thing has to be scheduled soon. You know. So through the use of mind-numbing, sadistic violence, I can forget you ever existed.”

“Thing is…I was curious about something.”

She was stalling.

“Elizabeth. Your point. I assume you have one. Please make it.” Danny’s tone warned her he was being extremely patient with her. But not for long.

“Well, all right. Let’s not get pushy.” She played with the collar of his shirt, before he shoved her hand away.

“You’re so touchy. Surely you can’t be that eager to get rid of me? Especially when I was about to ask if Lena knows your little secret?”

Danny stilled. He didn’t want her see how much her words affected him. He’d never give her that satisfaction.

“What does it matter to you?” He pushed past her, walking to the kitchen. She followed. Her voice a grating taunt to his ears.

“Well she 
is
 the little hood rat you’re leaving me for, right?” Elizabeth sneered, giving a spiteful laugh.

“I was wondering if she was aware of your…proclivities.”

“Why do you even care? You can’t stand her anyway. Why pretend like you’re even remotely concerned? And if I’m not mistaken, doesn’t your family’s house sit on wheels?”

He chuckled.

“Isn’t that a little trailer park trash calling the hood-rat black?”

Lena wouldn’t know the hood if it jumped in front of her and literally
put
a hood on her. But Danny knew Elizabeth already knew that. She was being the hateful, jealously vindictive, racist little bitch he always knew she was.

“Call it a favor. From one woman to another. Maybe she should be made aware. So she knows what she’s getting into. Don’t you think?”

“I think you should mind your business and worry about the other homeless people living under the bridge taking your spot. Isn’t that where you want me to forward your mail?”

He smirked. A sardonic twist to his lips.

“Although, after I cancel the credit cards, I can’t imagine what kind of mail you’ll get. Unless you’re actually going to go legit and take that escort job that pimp offered you?”

Danny gave her the last suitcase.

“Even I have to admit, it sounds like loads of fun, my love. And ten dollars an hour plus tips is nothing to sneeze at. Why, here in LA, you’ll be able to afford that dirty motel on the corner of Hooker and Crack Street in no time. I hear it’s so cozy, the roaches don’t go home at night.”

He snickered. “Lucky for you, you’ll never be truly alone.”

Elizabeth stared at him. He knew she was taken aback. Danny had never spoken to her with such hatred and condescension before.

It actually felt good.

“Leave, Elizabeth. How many times does it take to show you 
I don’t want you here
?”

“I’m just saying. Lena seems like she has a lot of things going for her now. That new club…however tacky it seems. You know, girls like her don’t get these types of opportunities every day, Danny. I just want to stop her from making a huge mistake.”

He snorted. “Didn’t stop 
you
 from marrying me, my little soon-to-be whore of an ex-wife, now did it?” He walked over to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of beer.

“You had no problem at all sucking me dry, did you, Liz? Literally and figuratively. By the way, your overly large mouth and massive horse teeth both repel and frighten me. Never bring them near me again.”

“You never had any complaints before.” Elizabeth sneered at him, sounding arrogant. He opened his beer, taking a long swallow. Glancing over at her, unfazed. 

“I was always afraid to tell you because I thought when enraged, your horse teeth would bite my testicles off. Now I don’t have to pretend to want you, or fuck you. Pretending you were anyone but you.” Danny smiled cheerfully.

“Do you know how good that feels? No. You couldn’t possibly. Horses don’t feel things like we humans, do they?”

“How would you know? You haven’t gotten it up for me in over two years.” She snapped. “Do you still know how?”

“Well golly gee, Elizabeth. Here’s what I
do
know. I know if you weren’t fucking so many men, your vagina wouldn’t be the size of a grocery store parking lot. I
also
know if you couldn’t feel my dick when I 
was
 still debasing myself inside your over one-billion served pussy, how the fuck would you feel it now?”

Elizabeth put her suitcase down and walked over, calmly taking his beer out of his hand. She threw it against the wall next to the refrigerator. They both watched it shatter. 

“Happy now, Elizabeth?”

“A little. It took the edge off, at least.”

“Good for you. Now. Will you please leave?”

“I’m going. And for your sake, I hope she knows, asshole. Because if she doesn’t, Danny boy…I’ll make sure to clue her in.”

Danny watched her mouth form into a cold smile. Resisting the urge to throttle her right then and there.

“What she knows and what she doesn’t know is none of your damn business or concern. But you know what 
should
 be your concern? Getting the entire fuck up out of my house. Now, Elizabeth. Right now.”

“That’s right, Danny boy. Get all this shit out now. Because when I pay you back, I want to make sure it’s with good reason. Because rest assured? I will return the favor owed. Bank on it.”

“How can you bank on anything, Elizabeth? You don’t own a checking account. And you know those pre-paid cards don’t count, right?”

“Why don’t you ask your little bed warmer? I thought she got those cards with her welfare checks. Better yet, why don’t I ask her? I’m sure you have her number.”

Elizabeth snatched his phone from the table. Danny grabbed her arm, forcing her to release it. He backed her up until she was up against the wall. Yanking her chin up to meet his face. Her pupils dilated and widened. For the first time, she looked truly afraid.

“I want you to leave now.”

His voice was quiet. Restrained.

“Before I do something to you we both are going to regret. Do you understand?”

She nodded mutely. He backed up, letting her go.

She scrambled to right herself. Grabbing her last suitcase.

He noticed her hands were shaking.

He knew Elizabeth had never seen that side of him before. Danny kept himself under so much rigidity, he could feel the reins of his taut control starting to slip. He looked, realizing his hands were shaking too.

The leaving thing should happen soon.

Otherwise she’d be leaving in a body bag.

“Elizabeth.” He sighed, calling out to her.

“What, Danny? Haven’t you said enough?”

She opened the door to go.

“There’s one more thing I want to make sure you understand.”

“One thing?” She smiled bitterly. “And what’s that?”

“Lena is off limits. Please don’t ever push me when it comes to her. Because I can promise you one thing.”

Danny walked up, closing the door on the longest, most wasted, five years of his life.

“You won’t like the consequences.”

The incessant phone ringing not only jarred Lena’s senses awake, it pissed her off.

No need to guess who it was.

“What, Ty.”

“Damn, what’s up 
your
 ass? I know it’s not me, since I’m on the phone.” He snickered.

“Not for lack of trying, though.”

Lena closed her eyes, sinking back into the cushions of the couch. “You have fucking impeccable timing.”

“So I’ve been told. What can I say? It’s a gift. But enough about me.”

His always sexy without ever trying to be laugh tickled her ears. “Another wet dream, darlin’?”

She flinched involuntarily. The hairs on her neck standing on end. Bastard.

“What if it was?”

“I’m just saying. It doesn’t have to be.”

“Um. Yeah…moving on. You know, if I hang up on your interrupting ass right now, maybe I could get back to it.”

“So you were thinking about my ass, then.”

“Bye, Tyler.”

“Ok, I’m sorry. Don’t get your panties in a bunch, dammit.” He wasn’t sorry. She could tell.

Not that she expected him to be.

Tyler was Tyler. Quite possibly the one true constant in her life. Him and taxes.

“But seriously, though. Why dream about me, when you can have me now, in the flesh?”

Lena grinned, in spite of herself.

“You wish, little man.”

“I do, actually. And I’m not little.”

His raspy chuckle snaked up her spine.

“You should know.”

Lena ignored that statement.

“Whatever. What do you want?”

“I want to know when you’re gonna let me tap that ass again, sweet cheeks?”

She groaned.

“Dude, you need to let that shit go. Damn. Is fucking all you think about?” Ty laughed again.

“Excuse me, have we met?”

“Besides, aren’t you seeing Sara again?” She began munching on some popcorn sitting on the nearby coffee table. It was somewhat stale from sitting out. She scowled, resigning herself to the taste.