/ ALEX

The three stood a few yards away from the unassuming doorway that led to the party. A warehouse similar to the one the Cooper gang resided in, the location had presumably been located in a seedy part of town as to not attract attention to the illegality of the things inside.

“So. Cover story.”

“Moved from Abson. We heard that this was the place to go to meet the leader of the rival gang of Cooper’s,” Saren repeated for what was probably the fourth time that night.

Cheri stepped in. “We all have bad experiences with Cooper. He killed my parents, killed Al’s girlfriend, and stole from Saren.”

“Good.” Alex took in a deep breath. “Well, lets go.”

Alex turned towards the doorway but stopped when he felt a hand slip into his. He looked over at Saren who gave him an encouraging smile. Alex squeezed back, and let his fingers slip from Saren’s.

Cheri went first, pushing the door open. The three walked into the building.

The first thing Alex noticed was the noise. Music played, but it was mostly drowned out by chattering voices. There were so many people, it was difficult to navigate through the crowds as they entered.

It was warm, and Alex immediately wished he had worn less layers. He was glad, however, that he had gone with the suit as opposed to something less formal, for despite the lack of anything proper, everyone seemed to be wearing their best. Of course, that made sense, because everyone here wanted to impress one another.

Despite the dim lights, Alex scanned the room best he could. Unable to find Levi, he shook a very drunk man from his stupor, asking where Levi Xero was.

“Juss seen ‘im over there— walked through that door there, he did.” The man passed out again.

Realizing that was all he was going to get from the man, Alex motioned over Saren and Cheri. The three slowly made their way through the room, leaving through the same door the man had referred to.

And in fact, Levi Xero stood in all his glory in the center of the dining room, leaning against the table. Alex felt his breath catch in his chest as a swarm of memories flooded his brain.

Levi hadn’t changed much in the six years he was gone. He still had the same pale skin, paired with his long, silvery white hair. He was still tall, lean, and had a charming grin that was currently fixed on a man he was talking to.

Despite himself, Alex had to admit he was still attracted to him.

But not enough to mask the hatred and anger that rushed in with the memories as well.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he let himself be dragged by the arm by Cheri as she led them closer so that they could listen in. Alex ignored Saren’s concerned look, and focused solely on the words Levi was saying.

“Can’t believe him,” Levi said. “Motherfucker’s missin’ my party.”

“I mean to be fair, he does downright despise you,” the man next to him said.

“Yeah. But a lot of people hate me. That’s part of the job. Tay, who do you think hates me most out of all of them?”

“Cooper,” the man, ‘Tay’, replied instantly.

Levi’s face turned sour. “Damn. Forgot about him. Can’t believe he stole that girl from me, too, as well as bein’ a tease. Oh, and, takin’ over my city, but things are personal with him.”

Cheri took that as her chance to step in. “Did you say Cooper?” She asked, walking forward, face emotionless.

Levi looked down at her. “What’s it to you, kid?”

Cheri frowned at the nickname but held her ground. “He murdered my parents.”

Levi’s eyebrows raised. “Hm. Doesn’t seem his style, but he may have changed.”

“He’s an asshole. We only came here to see if you could help us. Or rather, to see if we could help you.” Cheri grinned. “Me and my friends only came here recently, but we’ve heard a lot about you. Mr. Xero.”

“Please, just Levi.”

Cheri giggled. “Okay, then, Levi.” She stepped closer. “What do you say?”

“Hm. Who are your friends?” He asked.

Cheri turned to where Alex and Saren had been standing. “Al, Sare, over here!”

Alex forced a believable smile onto his face and walked over with Saren in tow. “Hello. Nice to meet you, Mr. Xero.”

Levi groaned. “Too many people have been calling me that,” he complained. “It’s just Levi.”

Alex snorted. “Okay, ‘Just Levi’.”

Levi narrowed his eyes at Alex for a second, then grins. “Oh, I like you.”

“Anyways,” Cheri interrupts cheerfully. “So, guys, I was just telling Levi over here about Cooper. He killed my parents, yeah, but he killed Al’s girlfriend too and stole from Sare’s family. So, all in all, I’d say we all pretty much fucking hate him.”

“Damn.” Levi said, looking between the three of them. “And you all bonded over this guy ruining your life? How does that even come up in conversations?” He snorted. “‘Oh yeah, my family was killed by this one guy.’ ‘Really? He killed my girl too!’ ‘Oh yeah, he stole from me too!’”

“That’s actually pretty much what happened,” Cheri said. “It was weird, but actually kind of relieving to know others have the same hatred of him. Speaking of which, why do you hate him so much?”

Levi was silent for a second. Tay had disappeared at some point, and the other guests were giving the group a little bit of space.

“Well, to start it off, he rejected me, both romantically and in his gang. Then he was the reason my best friend was sent to jail. And third, he stole something from me.” His eyes landed on Alex for a moment, and Alex had the sudden urge to run for his life. But the moment passed, and Levi moved on.

“So in return, I try to hurt him as much as he hurt me. And if I get what I am owed back in the process, so much the better. Starting with my dearest Diana here.”

Alex’s attention was suddenly brought to a young girl who had been silently standing by Levi the whole time. Her long brown hair covered her features, but Levi grabbed her arm and dragged her forward.

“Got her from Cooper’s old pal. He had no use for her, so I took her in, and I’d say she’s much better off now, isn’t that right, Diana?”

Diana quickly nodded her head, but her eyes told a different story. She looked terrified, and judging from the tight grip Levi had on her arm, she was not a willing participant in whatever had happened or was happening.

Cheri looked at her disdainfully. “Oh, you could do so much better. Why spend your night with… her, and not someone much more experienced?” She leaned forward slightly, grinning. Levi’s gaze lingered on her body, before returning to her face.

“Very well. Diana and I will head back to her room. She’s on… house arrest, you could say, and I’ll escort her there.” He turns to leave, then pauses. “Actually, Alex, was it? Would you mind coming with me?”

Alex felt his blood run cold. Cheri gave him a terrified look, but Alex shook his head. He couldn’t say no or things would get suspicious.

“Of course, Levi.”

Alex stepped forward to join them. He cast one last look back at Saren, whose face was impassive. He blinked and looked away.