Smashed (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8.5)(26)

“Is that how you see her?” I challenged, finding his aggressiveness very enticing. “As my mess? Well, I’m not the one teaching her how to be a cold-blooded killer, am I?”

“No, you just made her one.”

“Guys, come on. You’re acting like jackasses.” This from Jez who watched us all as if she couldn’t decide which vampire was most volatile.

Ignoring her, I held up both hands to show Kale I didn’t want any trouble. I knew that if I put my hands on him, I wouldn’t stop until he was dust.

“When you take her to bed, it’s me that she thinks of,” I said, low and deadly. “But you already know that, don’t you?”

Alexa gasped my name. Jez muttered an obscenity.

Kale glared with the sheer hatred of one who knew the truth. Rubbing it in his face had been low but ultimately necessary.

“I am always there because I am part of her,” I continued. “You will never change that. Maybe it’s time for you to move on, Sinclair. This city has run its course for you, don’t you think?”

“Is that a threat?”

It wasn’t. Not really. “More like a suggestion.”

Sinclair backed off a few paces, but he was still fuming. I didn’t blame him. I would hate me too if I were in his place. Falling in love with Alexa was easy. She had a strong side that I admired, a soft side that I adored, and a personality that would give even the most patient man a challenge. She was an enigma, fascinating in every way. Loving Alexa was easy. Losing her would be devastating.

“Well, I didn’t ask for your opinion,” he said, doing a good job of keeping his emotions off his face.

We stood there staring at one another. The atmosphere grew thick with the violent intentions we both harbored. Alexa looked back and forth between us and broke down. With a frustrated cry, she fled, leaving us looking after her.

“The FPA is hunting her,” I said, calm despite the roiling mass of animosity overflowing inside of me. “If you really love her as much as you claim to, do what’s best for her. Walk away. There’s an open invitation for you at The Wicked Kiss Las Vegas. You wanted to escape her anyway, didn’t you? All you have to do is be the one to make the break.”

“It doesn’t f*cking work that way, and you know it.” Sinclair cast a helpless glance at Jez whose expression revealed nothing of her thoughts or opinions.

“Perhaps some time apart would give you a new perspective on things. Las Vegas is the perfect city for a guy like you. It’s high strung, restless, and a little mad. I think you’d enjoy it.” Winning the poker game against Jenner had been a small victory. However, if I could convince Sinclair to actually go, it would be huge.

Sinclair was no idiot, which was one thing I respected about him. His jaw dropped, and he eyed me in disgust. “You must be really proud of yourself for concocting such a scheme. She’s going to hate you for this.”

“Only if you leave. And that, I can handle.” I crossed my arms and shrugged. “Besides, it only makes sense that Alexa’s second should join my second in my city. Jenner could use the backup, and you could use the escape. Don’t tell me it doesn’t appeal to you just a little.”

His gaze dropped to the ground, and he stared in silence for a moment before saying, “Let me guess. You’ve already discussed this with Jenner.” When I didn’t deny it, he continued. “I knew you were a selfish prick, but I didn’t know you were such a low life piece of shit.”

That one took some restraint. There was only so much crap I could take from him before I snapped. Knowing that’s what he wanted, I somehow resisted. “If you want to protect her from the things that will only feed her darkness, then consider that the best way to do that is to start with you.” Rage called forth the power. The effort it took to hold it back burned like the sting of a poisonous beast intent on escape.

Before Kale could respond or react, Jez stepped between us. “I think this little meeting is over.” With a hand on his arm, she gave him a solemn look. “Kale, go now, please. Find Alexa before the FPA does.” To me she said with a glower, “Move it. Now. Unless you want to walk back to your car.”

Stiff and silent, Kale exuded a menacing calm. I thought for certain he was going to lose it and take a swing at me. Instead, he gave Jez’s ponytail a friendly tug and turned to go.

When I didn’t budge from where I stood, Jez gave me a shove. Fearless and furious, she herded me back the way we’d come.

“That was really low,” she said when we’d almost reached her Jeep. “I get why you did it. I see the logic there, but that was a shitty way to deal with things.”

“I know.” I nodded, entirely in agreement with her. “What choice did I have though? If you were in my position, what would you do?”

She glanced back into the quiet cemetery. “I don’t know. But that kind of controlling behavior is what drove Lilah and Salem to where they are now. Is that what you want to happen with you and Alexa?”

“Of course not. Don’t you think this is all making me crazy too?” I was already plagued with guilt, an emotion I did not deal with well. “I made him an offer, a suggestion really. That’s all. It’s all on him now.”

Once inside the darkened confines of the Jeep, Jez turned to me with a strange, sad look on her heart-shaped face. “You’d better be careful, Arys. Or you’re going to lose her.”