Cross (Dark Kings 3)

They giggle, thinking I’m overreacting, but thankfully obey. I turn, pressing my back to the now closed door and just stand there, making sure no one fucks with them.

A few minutes later, they open it up, and after washing their hands, we exit. A man I know by the name of Mitch exits the men’s restroom across the hallway from us at the same time we do. He comes to a stop, spotting us. “Alexa?”

She freezes, bringing Jasmine to a halt since they’re holding hands, but says nothing.

“Hey, babe.” He smiles at her.

Babe? I don’t remember her having anyone with her at the wedding. And she’s not wearing a ring because I looked. Hate to say that wouldn’t stop me anyway.

“I’ve been calling you.” He steps into her. “Just sent you a text.”

She takes a step back, bumping into me. I place my hands on her shoulders and pull her to my side, throwing my arm over her.

His eyes go to mine, and the smile drops off his face. “Cross?” He looks back at her. “Are you dating him?”

“Mitch.” I acknowledge him. I’ve known this piece of shit scumbag for several years. Now I’m interested in what kind of past they have and how long it was for. And just how much she knows about him.

She doesn’t answer his question in any way. He keeps his attention on her, going on. “Is this why you’ve been ignoring me, babe …?”

“Take my silence as a hint, Mitch. It’s over.” She finally speaks, and I’m actually surprised how put together it sounded, considering how much she’s had to drink. She’s leaning into my side pretty hard right now, needing the help to stand.

“Because of him?” He points at me.

“No. Because of you,” she says matter-of-factly. With a smile, I pull them away and back down the hall.

We make our way through the crowd and over to the ring when I spot Grave standing beside it. His hands are fisted in a guy’s shirt. He’s holding him to his chest and shouting in the man’s face.

Fuck! “Stay here,” I order the girls as I shove them into a corner before I head over to Grave. “What the fuck is going on?” I demand when I come up to them. A quick look over my shoulder shows the girls still leaning up against the wall in the corner.

“Go the fuck home, Ethan!” Grave shouts, shoving the kid back.

“Ethan?” I ask, looking him over. Why does that name sound familiar? He’s got a busted lip. He tosses his dark shaggy hair back, and I can see a cut on his forehead at the motion. Blood slowly runs down the side of his face. One look at his eyes, and I can tell he’s on something. Ecstasy maybe. He’s sweating profusely, but it’s hot in here. No amount of A/C can keep up with the large crowd that’s here tonight. His knuckles are busted, so the kid was obviously just in a fight.

“Fuck you!” he shouts, pointing his finger at Grave’s face.

Grave goes to step forward to knock his ass out, but I grab him and pull him back. “He’s not worth it,” I tell him.

The kid looks me up and down, then snorts. “You Kings think you fucking rule everyone.” His eyes go back to Grave. “Just because you knocked up my sister doesn’t mean you’re my brother,” he spits out, then turns and walks off into the crowd, shouldering his way through.

Grave shrugs me off, and I let him go, holding my hands up. “What the fuck was that?” I ask.

He runs a hand through his hair. “April’s brother.” I got that. “The boy is pissing me off.”

My cell starts vibrating in my pocket, and I dig it out quickly to check to see who it is.

Titan: How’s it going?

Of course, he’s checking on us. Instead of answering, I pocket it and turn to go get the girls, and they’re gone.

Motherfucker!

ALEXA

MITCH RUINED MY buzz. Or at least that’s what it feels like. I hate when I’m drunk and get mad. I find myself walking faster toward the large bar by the ring.

Jasmine notices and laughs. “Slow down. The bar isn’t going anywhere.”

“I need a drink,” I state, looking over my shoulder to see if I can spot Mitch anywhere. What is he doing here? We were together for two years, and he never brought me here. Didn’t even speak of it. But that’s what guys do, right? Change their life when they get out of a relationship? Find new friends to hang out with. A new crowd to meet new people so they can get away from everyone who knows the truth about why it didn’t work.

I was the one who lost our mutual friends. All because I wouldn’t take him back. Like I was supposed to roll over and take the manipulation. Cheating is not something that I was going to overlook. Forget the lies that were told in order to cover it up.