Xavier Cold (Hard Knocks #2)(63)

The room is eerily quiet while we wait on the boss to show up.

Mr. Silverman steps into the room, and I straighten in the chair. He never attends these meetings. This is serious shit.

He takes a seat at the head of the table and straightens his tie. “Let’s get down to business. Vicky take us through the play-by-play.”

She adjusts the glasses sitting on the tip of her nose. “To close the storyline up with Anna and Rex, she’ll need to accompany him out to open the show while he calls X out, and then we’ll have to have Rex accuse her of conspiring with X and kick her out of the ring.”

“I don’t like that idea,” Rex interjects. “I think Anna being on my side will keep the fans in my corner.”

“Agreed,” Deena adds. “If it helps I can be in X’s corner.”

Anna squeezes my hand under the table and I’m sure she’s hating their ideas just as much as I do.

“No.” the boss interjects. “No more games. Anna belongs to X and we are going with that. X gets the belt tonight.”

“That’s not fair! I just got it. You can’t take it away from me,” Rex argues with a whine in his voice.

The boss slams his fist on the table. “You had your shot and now it’s up and if you don’t like the way we’re doing things don’t let the door hit you in the ass.”

This time it’s me who smirks. It’s about time Rex gets put in his place by this company. They’ve let him get away with far too much for far too long. Things are finally going to be the way they are supposed to be.





Chapter 30


Xavier


Anna comes from the female dressing room wearing the tight stage outfit I’ve seen her in as of late. I’ve never seen it up close, but I appreciate the way it hugs every curve of her body, and the way that cupcake is sparkling under the word sweets has me thinking what I would like to do to that sweet body of hers.

I wrap my arms around her. “Damn, beautiful. You’re smoking hot. I’d like a little taste of your cupcakes.”

She giggles as I kiss her lips. “You are so bad.”

“Cut the shit,” Rex snaps. “It’s time to head out to the ring.”

I lift my chin and force myself to bite my tongue. I’m so close to getting everything I want. I will not allow this shit-stain to push my buttons.

Rex tosses the belt over his shoulder as he stares me down. “Come on, Anna. Let’s give the fans a show.”

Anna’s muscles tense as I still hold her in my arms like she’s unsure of what’s about to happen. I don’t want her stressed, so I have to show her that I’m cool.

I pat her butt. “Go ahead. It’s time to put an end to the time he’s had you by his side.”

“Okay,” she whispers and then gives me a quick kiss.

Anna leaves us, and Rex smirks at me one last time before he takes off after her.

Never in a million f*cking years did I ever think I would be stuck backstage, sitting sideline, while my woman is made to parade around on national television with another f*cking man. My nostrils flare as Rex escorts Anna out to the ring with Deena on his other side. The cocky grin on the bastard’s face tells me how much enjoyment he’s getting out of this moment, knowing I’m sitting back here seething.

Rex sits on the ropes, allowing the girls to slip inside.

He smirks as he leans against the ropes casually and stares into the camera. “Well, all you people here in Portland tonight are in for a treat. Phenomenal X is back in the building, and I’ve decided I’m ready for that rematch tonight.”

The crowd goes nuts, and begins shouting my name over and over, “X! X! X! X . . .”

Those cheering for me remind me that even though I don’t have the belt, I’m the people’s champion. I have to find ways to curve my rage and earn the championship to make them proud.

“Shut up! All of you! X isn’t here. I’m here! I’m the one who matters!” Rex shouts at the crowd.

The fans continue to support me, and Rex’s expression turns dark. It’s not hard to tell it’s pissing him off that the fans aren’t behind him.

Without warning he grabs Anna, dips her back and presses his lips to hers. I growl and instinctually curl my fists as I jump up to my feet. “I’m going to kill that f*cker.”

Anna pounds her fists into his chest until he finally releases her. Her eyes narrow and she pulls her hand back and smacks the shit out of Rex’s face. His head snaps sideways and he rubs his cheek as Anna slides out of the ring.

A collective sound of “oohs” come from the crowd and then they immediately launch into chanting ‘Anna’ but she doesn’t seem to notice because she’s so focused on getting backstage.

Brian shakes his head as he stands next to me. “What a dick. He loves getting under your skin.”

“I’m convinced he has a death wish,” Freddy chimes in.

I stand near the curtain, and when Anna pushes through them, her face is red.

I reach for her, but she shakes her head. “I need a minute. I have to find something to bleach slime ball off my lips.”

I hold my hands up, knowing what it’s like to need a moment of privacy when something pisses me off. “I’ll wait for you right here.”