Royal Havoc

16. Smashing Cinderella’s Pumpkin

sixteen

Smashing Cinderella’s Pumpkin

Vexen: 2024

L eaving Onyx pissed off and worked up was a horrible idea. I know it. She knows it. Hell, even Zeke knows it, which is why he’s trying to hide the stupid grin on his face. I notice my screen light up with a notification as he stops to enter his code at the gate.

Installing the tracker on her Jeep was smart. Absolutely necessary. I don’t care what unfortunate event brought her back. I know she won’t be gifted an easy escape ever again. She’s stuck with me for eternity.

I’m an only child. I don’t share. I take what I want, especially when I’ve been enticed my entire life to want it.

Opening the app, I watch as the blue dot skips over the screen, leaving River’s Edge. My blood pressure punches at my temple, forcing me to bite my tongue, fighting off the urge to tell Zeke to turn around and go after her.

“I told you,” Zeke throws out, waiting for the gate to slide open.

“Don’t start,” I grit, grinding my teeth so hard I can’t believe they don’t break, watching as the dot stops and hovers in the same spot for several seconds.

“So, what are we doing? Should I text Gage?” he asks, pulling into his parking spot.

I tap the screen, seeing she’s at the coffee shop across the bridge. My blood pressure simmers, taking it’s good damn time to level out.

“No. He’s busy dealing with your sister,” I answer distractedly, eyes stuck on the annoying flashing dot.

His head falls back on the headrest. “Christ, don’t remind me. She’s an annoyance too. Always getting into shit that doesn’t concern her.”

Satisfied that Onyx’s going to stay put, I lock the screen. “Mal’s a walking dumpster fire. The sooner she’s gone, the quicker shit will fall into place,” I assure him.

“I told G not to fuck with her. It’s pointless to screw around when you already know your future,” he grumbles, gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white.

“I’m thankful Keegan’s a good boy because you bitch like an old lady. I’d have to ruin your pretty face,” I joke, hoping to get him out of his head.

Watching him deal with his dad over the dumb shit his twin sister stirs up stresses me out. And I hate it. We’ve been best friends our entire life. Basically brothers. His struggles eventually become mine, and vice versa. Gage didn’t get folded into the mix until we were older.

“Don’t hate because my prince worships me.” He chuckles. “Maybe if you weren’t so grumpy, your queen wouldn’t hate you,” he mumbles under his breath.

I flip him off before exiting his Jeep, and I can’t help but laugh.

He falls into step beside me. “Seriously, what’s the plan?” he asks, side-eyeing me.

Scratching the back of my head. “Handle my business so I can go play. I got a pumpkin to smash. I’ll hit you up later,” I answer cryptically, fist-bumping him before we split ways.

Dad’s voice echoes in my head while I scan the hallway, searching for my target. “End it. Make sure she understands where she belongs. Cinderella’s time at the ball has expired.” As if I needed him to remind me, I’d already started setting my plans in motion days before he decided to fill me in. Shit runs downhill fast at Edge, and I’m always the first to hear.

I’m not surprised in the least to find her waiting beside my locker like the good little puppy I’ve trained her to be. She’s been a rash I couldn’t rash for too long. Hate’s the only thing she’s ever induced inside me. The so-called emotions everyone talks about are ones I’ve learned to fake to perfection.

I walk by, grabbing her by the arm and dragging her beside me. “What the hell, Vexen? Stop,” Carney whines, fighting me every step.

Opening the door to an empty classroom. “Move,” I growl, shoving her inside and locking the door behind me.

“What’s going on?” she hisses, rubbing her upper arm.

Leaning casually against the door, crossing my ankles. She stares at me with big-blue-wide eyes, her long blonde curls hanging in a ponytail down her back. This girl is everything I despise and never wanted. Cheerleaders are boring and predictable. I expected more, which is why I’ve been waiting for this exact moment.

“Cinderella’s time at the ball is over. You’re out. We’re done,” I inform her, getting straight to the point.

“But,” she starts, moving towards me. “We’re supposed to be together?” she questions, processing what I’ve said.

“Stop,” I order, holding up a hand, shutting her down before she can even start. “It’s time you realize where you don’t belong,” I advise, staring at her coldly, wanting her to understand without any doubt. “I’m done.”

“This isn’t your decision. Daddy said —”

“Daddy’s wrong,” I reiterate, watching her pout.

“I don’t believe you,” she hisses, her cheeks turning red.

Rubbing a hand over my face, sighing loudly. “I don’t care what you believe, Carney. I’m telling you, we’re done. When you see me, go the other way. Don’t fuck around. You and your trash are back to being invisible until it’s time to leave. Understand?” I ask, being as blatantly honest as I can because when she calls Daddy, he better tell her the same shit.

Tears fill her blue eyes, turning them into lakes. “This isn’t fair. Why are you doing this?” she whines, stomping her foot like an angry child about to throw a tantrum.

Inhaling deeply to calm my nerves. Let’s be one hundred. This picture she’s painting is as fake as the knock-off bag she carries. She hates me more than I loathe her. She likes what I bring. The money signs she sees when she looks at me. The respect she gets because of me. But she doesn’t care about me . This is her freaking out over what she’s losing.

Pushing from the door. “I’m not repeating myself. Say you understand so we can be done. I have more important shit to do.”

Her mouth falls open, anger turning her eyes to lasers, drying her tears. “Screw you, Vex. Your tattoos are ugly, and you kiss like a fish. Thank god , I won’t have to have my face sucked off anymore. Maybe I should thank that whore I saw —”

Red blurs my vision for a second, glaring down at her makeup-streaked face. “Don’t ever talk about her,” I warn evilly.

She blinks up at me, swallowing hard. “I’m calling Daddy.”

I step back, putting distance between us. “Tell him I said hi,” I answer, unlocking the door. “Stay out of my way,” I remind her before leaving, slamming the door to drive my point home.

Quickly, I check the tracker app before shooting off a text to the guys. Finding that Onyx is still in the same spot helps settle the adrenaline pumping through my system.

Me: Carney and her trash are out on the curb

Zeke: Finally

Gage: The trash gave good head

Zeke: You’re with my sister Dickhead!

Gage: She bites

Zeke: Shut the fuck up!

Me: Both of you shut the fuck up! They’re invisible. Period!

Gage: middle finger emoji

Zeke: thumbs up emoji