Saving Diablo

EMMA

I wake up feeling refreshed, having slept like a log. It’s the best sleep I’ve had in a long time. I’ve given Levi and Alex the day off. They both need a break from me and some time to let off steam.

We’ve been in each other’s faces too much lately. Without any way to blow off steam, we’ve been getting on each other’s nerves. Thankfully, we understand each other and our moods.

I even let them skip our usual early-morning training session to give them more time to do whatever they want.

After showering, I pull on black skinny jeans, a yellow tank top, and my high-top Vans. I let my long hair fall freely down my back. Grabbing my phone, some cash, and my keys, I head out of the penthouse.

The elevator ride to Diablo’s apartment is a nerve-wracking one. My mind is racing with thoughts of what I might find there.

I’m just grateful I had the foresight to make copies of his keys. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to get into his apartment at all.

As I slide the key into the lock, my stomach churns. Am I ready to face Diablo and Carly after all this time?

Well, there’s no turning back now.

Once inside the apartment, I find the kitchen and living room empty. I head straight for Diablo’s bedroom.

The sight that greets me leaves me unprepared.

Diablo is in bed with Carly and another woman I don’t recognize.

The dresser is littered with bags of cocaine and lines already cut, ready to be snorted.

The floor is a mess of clothes, empty alcohol bottles, and used condoms.

I can’t breathe. I feel sick. If I’d eaten breakfast, it would be on Diablo’s bedroom floor by now.

I knew things were bad, but this? This is beyond what I expected. I didn’t think he’d fall this far, especially not with Carly. I thought he would have kicked her out by now.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm myself, I head to the bathroom and fill a glass with water. I walk back into the bedroom and dump the water over Diablo’s face. He barely stirs, but the other woman wakes up.

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Your worst nightmare,” I snap. “Get your stuff and get out. If I ever see you near him again, I’ll kill you. Got it?”

She just sits there on the bed, naked, not moving, glaring at me.

I grab her hair and yank her to her feet. I shove a shirt and pants into her hands and drag her, kicking and screaming, to the door, not caring if the clothes are even hers.

I open the door and push her out into the hallway, releasing her hair. She slams into the opposite wall.

“You can’t do this to me, bitch. He still owes me money.”

I pull a few hundred-dollar bills from my pocket and toss them at her.

“Listen closely: if I ever see you here or anywhere near him again, I’ll kill you. Got it?”

“Whatever. He’s a lousy fuck anyway.”

I slam the door shut and head back to the bedroom. Carly is slowly waking up. I wrap my hands around her throat, pulling her upright. I tighten my grip and straddle her naked body.

She can’t speak; she can’t even breathe. Her eyes are starting to glaze over. If I don’t let go soon, she’ll pass out.

She’s struggling to get free, her hands clawing at mine, but I’m stronger and I’m not high on drugs.

It takes all my self-control not to snap her neck.

“Do I have your attention, bitch? Blink twice if I do.”

I keep my grip on her throat. She blinks twice. Her eyes are wide.

I let go of her throat, get up, and toss a shirt at her. With all the commotion on the bed, Diablo is finally awake. He looks utterly shocked to see me in his bedroom.

“Now that you’re both awake, get dressed and meet me in the kitchen in five minutes. Don’t make me come get you.”

I leave the bedroom and head to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee.

I’m seething. If I hadn’t left the bedroom when I did, I’d be calling Alex and Levi to help me dispose of two bodies.

My whole body is shaking with rage. I take several deep breaths, trying to calm down.

Diablo is the first one to join me in the kitchen.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Emma? I thought we were done. You have no right to barge into my apartment,” he snaps at me.

“You’re a fucking jerk, Diablo. What were you thinking? Did you really think drugs, sex, and alcohol would make you forget me and erase me from your heart?

“Here’s a reality check: you belong to me just as much as I belong to you. No one will ever take my place in your heart!” I yell at him.

“I don’t love you, Emma. I don’t know where you got that idea.”

“Really, Diablo? You’re going to sit there and tell me you’re happy I’m not in your life anymore, that ~she~ makes you happy, and that you don’t love me? How long are you going to lie to yourself?”

“You’re snorting cocaine like it’s your lifeline. You love me just as much as I love you. Accept it and make peace with it.”

“You’re a grown man. Start acting like one.”

He looks away, his gaze landing on the kitchen counter. He whispers, “But you left me, Emma. I was alone. You took away my last shred of dignity. I can’t handle it anymore. I had to get you out of my system.”

“Did you, Diablo? Did you really get me out of your system?”

“Yes, yes, I did, Emma. And now you’re back and I have to start all over again,” he shouts back at me.

“Really, Diablo? If that’s true, you won’t mind if I test your denial, will you?”

“What do you mean?”

I walk over to him and turn the barstool he’s sitting on so he’s facing me. I spread his legs and step between them, his crotch pressing against my stomach.

He reeks like he hasn’t bathed in forever. I can still catch the scent of other women on him. It’s enough to make me want to hurl.

I stand as close as I can bear, breathing through my mouth to avoid the smell. I reach out and touch his bare chest, my fingers tracing the contours of his still-toned stomach, moving lower to where his sweatpants hang on his hips.

His breath catches and I see his pulse quicken in his neck.

“If I’m really out of your system, why are you reacting to my touch?”

“Any whore who touches me gets the same reaction, Emma. Don’t think you’re special.”

“Your insults are your shield, baby. But they don’t scare me off anymore. Look me in the eye and tell me to leave.

“If you mean it, I’ll walk out that door and never come back. Can you do that for me, baby?”

His “no” is so soft I have to lean in to hear it.

“Say it again, Diablo,” I insist.

“No!” he yells. “You’re not out of my system. I still want you. Every time I see your picture on my phone, my heart skips a beat.

“Every woman I’m with, I see your face. When I cum, I scream your name. You’re all I think about. The only thing that numbs me is the drugs.”

As he’s confessing, Carly walks into the kitchen fully dressed.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Emma? He’s mine now. You can’t have him back.”

“I always knew you were a gold-digger, Carly. But to take advantage of him when he’s down? That’s a new low. You’re a whore.

“Grab your stuff and get out before I throw you out. Seems like me almost choking you didn’t get the message across.”

“You can’t do that, Emma. I live here now. Diablo and I are together and nothing you do will change that.”

“Is that so?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. Tell her, Diablo. Tell her I’m your woman. Tell her you love me, not her. Tell her I’m your everything. Tell her. Tell her now!” she screams at him, her voice getting louder with each word.

I can see the panic in Carly’s face when Diablo stays silent.

“Diablo! Tell her!”

“Carly, grab what you need. I’ll have the rest sent to your parents’ house. Your free ride is over. Diablo will never leave me for you. He’s mine and I’m his, so get the fuck out.”

My calmness only makes her angrier.

“Are you just going to sit there and let her talk to me like that?” she yells at Diablo. “She ~left~ you, for fuck’s sake. She left you and I’m here. I’m here to pick up the pieces.”

“You let me move in with you. I’m yours. Come on Diablo, tell her,” she begs.

I start laughing. Not a casual laugh, a crazy laugh, a laugh Diablo knows all too well. I’m about to lose it. I’ve come to realize that I have quite a temper.

I walk over to Carly and punch her in the nose. It starts bleeding immediately, and she lifts her hands to try to stop the blood.

“You ~bitch.~” She lunges at me but I dodge her attack and kick her in the ribs. She falls to the ground in pain.

I turn to Diablo, realizing I might have waited too long. Fear takes over. I might have lost him for good. He hasn’t said a word since Carly and I started fighting.

I touch his drooping shoulder and he looks into my eyes.

“Emma, do you mean it? Do you want me back?” His voice is filled with vulnerability.

“I just needed to lay the groundwork to make sure you and I can be together.

“Now that it’s done, I promise you I’ll always be there for you, as long as you don’t mess around or give me any reason to leave. I’m yours, if you still want me.”

“What about everything I’ve done since you’ve been gone?”

“It was bound to happen, baby, but I’m back now.”

“Aren’t you going to defend me? She broke my nose and my ribs are killing me!” Carly yells at Diablo. She’s sitting up on the floor, clutching her ribs and nose.

I kicked her hard enough to leave a mark but not to break anything.

“Carly, we both know you used me and I used you. I love Emma, always have, always will.

“She’s my everything. She’s the air I breathe, the blood that makes my heart beat. Without her, this is what I become. Get out of my apartment; I never want to see you again.”

“Fuck you, Diablo!” She’s furious.

“And you, Emma, I’ll get my revenge. This isn’t over,”

She gets up, leaning against the counter; the pain in her ribs is too much for her to stand up straight.

I walk over to her, stopping in front of her, toe to toe.

“Carly, if you knew what I’m capable of or who I’ve become, you’d stay away from me and everyone I know. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to get rid of you, literally.”

“What the fuck do you mean, you bitch?”

“Let’s just say they’ll never find you. Now get the fuck out before I drag you out.”

She grabs a few essentials and heads for the front door.

“I hope you’re happy now, Diablo. She’ll just leave you again. When she does, give me a call,” she says, smiling.

“Oh, and Emma? How does it feel knowing I fucked the love of your life?” she says before slamming the door shut.

My heart stops for a second. I know it’s silly to be affected by her words. I knew they had sex, but hearing it thrown in your face can break even the strongest person.

I turn away from Diablo before he can see the tears forming in my eyes. I need to pull myself together. I knew this was going to be hard.

I was prepared, but hearing the reality of what happened would make anyone emotional.

I pause, taking a moment to gather my thoughts before I turn to face Diablo. His gaze is fixed on me, intense and questioning.

“Emma,” he starts, his voice low and cautious, “are you back for good this time? Or is this just another one of your games? Another way to draw blood?”

“I’m back, Diablo,” I reply, my voice steady. “But there are some conditions we need to talk about. First, you need to wash off the scent of those other women. I’ll take care of the drugs in the bedroom. After that, we can talk.”