21
Standing behind the curtain while Rex’s entrance music plays throughout the arena turns my stomach. I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but I know it’s not going to be good.
Xavier pours half a bottle of water over the top of his head to help keep him cool during his match. Water soaks his trademark tank top and speckles his camouflage pants.
Rex approaches us to get to the stage with a smirk on his face.
I squeeze Xavier’s hand in mine and wrap my other hand around his wrist. It won’t keep him from attacking Rex if he really wants, but I hope my presence is a reminder for him to keep a cool head because his job depends on it.
Rex grabs the back fabric, ready to head out to start the show, and says, “See you out there, Princess.”
“Screw you!” I retort.
Xavier tenses and I tighten my grip as Rex laughs and winks at us before disappearing into the arena.
My heart pounds in my chest. This is going to be worse than I thought. I have to stop this.
“Please, Xavier. Don’t go out there,” I beg.
“Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll be fine,” Xavier says with a growl.
“You’re not going out there like this. Forget what he said—he’s not worth it!” I plead with him, attempting to calm him down.
He shakes his head and water drips from the tips of his hair onto his bare shoulders. “When are you going to finally hear me? You’re everything to me. I’d trade my very soul to protect you, because you’re worth it. I’ll never let anyone hurt you, ever, and no one is going to take you away from me. No. One.”
My heart squeezes in my chest. I can’t remember the last time anyone has ever cared about me this much. He’s trying to save me, I know, but all I worry about is saving him from himself—his own self-destruction. I run my fingers along his scruffy cheek. “Please, don’t do this. Don’t throw everything away for me.”
He flexes his jaw while pure intensity shines in his blue eyes. “I have to. This ends now, Anna.”
His trademark entrance song, X Gon’ Give It To Ya, blares throughout the arena and my breath catches. Xavier’s temper is uncontrollable. Pushing him into the ring with Rex now will not end well. This could ruin everything he’s worked for. I have to try and stop him. I refuse to be the cause of his undoing.
“Please. Don’t.”
I know it’s a lame attempt, but just begging him to not do anything stupid is the only thing I can think of. It’s not like I can overpower him and force him to stay with me.
He cradles my face in his large hands. “It’s too late. The show has to go on—you know that. I want you to stay back here. I won’t be able to focus on him if I know he can get to you.”
Xavier crashes his lips to mine quickly before pulling away and heading for the black curtain to give the fans the showdown they crave. The moment he steps into the spotlight the roof on the building nearly blows off with the force of the crowd’s screams. I turn toward the monitor and stare, mesmerized by the pure determination on his face. I swallow hard as nervous energy flows through my body.
It’s like a train wreck—I shouldn’t watch, but I can’t tear my eyes away.
He marches down the ramp and jumps up onto the platform before slipping through the ropes and into the ring. The rumble of the crowd pumps even more energy into the air. So much so even I can taste it. Xavier and Rex stare at each other from opposite corners. A chill runs down my spine as I take in Xavier’s cold expression. It’s murderous, and I really don’t like what that might mean.
They circle each other for a moment before wrapping each other up in holds. They fall to the mat grappling, and Rex says something into Xavier’s ear, but only loud enough for Xavier to hear. Xavier’s eyes grow wild, and he slips out of Rex’s hold with ease and rolls him onto his back. Xavier straddles Rex and lands a hard right punch to the side of Rex’s face.
I cover my mouth. Shit just got very real. I’ve seen enough matches to know that they never really hit each other like that in the ring. Xavier is losing it—and on national television.
I have to stop him.
Before he destroys everything he’s worked so hard for.