Toxic (Denazen #2)(84)

The second, I couldn’t remember seeing before. He was trailing just behind Shifter Guy, using some serious muscle to punch holes through the ice and grab the grips beneath.

The third—well, I had no idea. His gift obviously wasn’t helpful in a situation like this because he was stuck on the ground, staring up at the other two. Every now and then he’d try to dig in a foothold, slipping back to the ground to a symphony of laughter.

I was just about to turn and head for the door when I saw Alex weaving through the crowd. I started forward but wasn’t fast enough.

“Leaving?”

“Looks that way, doesn’t it?”

He gave Kale a dismissive wave. “With him? Didn’t you catch him trying to suck the tonsils out of Porn Star Barbie?”

It bothered me that news of the kiss had apparently made the rounds—Sixes were skilled in the game of telephone—but I merely rolled my eyes.

Alex shrugged. “Whatever. Keep forgetting you’re into that weird shit now. Hang on, just lemme grab my jacket.”

I stopped him. “Um, why?”

“’Cause I’m going with you.”

“No, you’re not.”

He flashed me a wicked grin and pulled free. “Yeah, I am. Ginger insists.”

“Bullshit.”

His smile faded. “Look, I’m not trying to hassle you and the cheater—though pissing him off is a major perk. Since Denazen wants you both, it’s safer to take along an extra body. Ya know, just in case.”

Kale didn’t try to hide the disdain in his voice. “You want to come to ensure both of us are protected?”

Alex straightened and squared his shoulders. Taking a step closer to Kale, he smiled. “No. I want to ensure that she’s protected. Don’t give a dead rat’s ass about you, brother man.”

Kale stood tall. “I am all the protection she needs.”

“And who’s gonna protect her from you? Or did you figure out how to pet puppies without murdering them?”

“Come just a little closer,” Kale growled. “We can find out.”

Shoving Alex, I grabbed the back of Kale’s shirt. “He wants to tag along, fine. Whatever. Let’s just go.”

And with that, I left the party wedged uncomfortably between my boyfriend and my ex.

…

They went at it the entire way to Meela’s house. Never came up for air. Before we even got off the block, I considered touching Kale so I’d have some peace and quiet.

“If you continue to push me, Alex, I’m going to touch you. I’ve counted to three hundred. Twice.”

Alex snickered. “Counted to three hundred? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means you need to knock it off.” I glared at Kale. “Both of you.”

“Fact is fact. I knew what was going on. You didn’t. She didn’t tell you, brother man. What’s that say?”

Kale stopped walking. We were standing in front of Meela’s house now. The lights inside were off, but someone had left the one over the front door on.

“It says,” Kale said in that dark, deceptively calm way of his, “that you are an annoyance. I don’t deal well with annoyances. But it’s a very simple fix. No one will miss you. Your kind are like vermin. Everywhere.”

“I disagree. I think Dez would miss me.” Alex winked. “A lot. And my kind? Dude, we’re the same kind.”

Fists clenched, Kale leaned closer. “We are nothing alike.”

Alex lost his grin. Jaw tight, he nodded in my direction. “We’re exactly alike. We both hurt her.”

“Wow. And there it is. Your inner * just bled through.” I turned away from them and stalked up the walkway.

I managed to get the key into the lock and turn the handle without strangling either one of them. As soon as I stepped through the door, I heard a muffled voice.

“I don’t care. It’s only a matter of time. I’m done. Get me the f*ck out.”

“That sounds like—”

Alex put his hand over my mouth. Eyes wide, he shook his head and pointed to the hall. Silently, we crept along the wall, stopping right outside the room. Kiernan was sitting on the couch, feet kicked onto the table, and talking into her cell.

“Does it matter who you get first? One pretty much guarantees the other—trust me. It’s kind of pathetic.”

“This isn’t what it sounds like…,” I whispered.

Kale’s hand was on my shoulder, urging me back. “Dez.”

Kiernan continued talking, oblivious to our presence. “No. There was no party tonight. The old lady said it was canceled.”

And that’s why she hadn’t been at The Rockies. She didn’t even know about the party because Ginger knew about her. I was guessing she and Jade didn’t get a list of people to notify. That’s what Jade had meant about wasting their time. Random errands. Ginger had kept them busy and out of the way.

“Okay, fine. One more night.” A pause. “Okay. Night.”

Alex tapped my shoulder and pointed to the door. I shook my head and pointed to the living room. “Not a frigging chance,” he mouthed. “Need to go.”

I put my hands up in surrender. Turning like I was about to head for the front door, I whispered, “But just one thing first.”