Cross (Dark Kingdom, #4) — Chapter no 5

CHAPTER FIVE

CROSS

I SIT AT our conference table on the thirteenth floor in tower one as Nite, Luca, and Titan enter. Grave sits across from me, icing his right hand. He got in some good hits last night at the Airport. Bones already sits at the head of the table.

Nite takes the seat to my left, and Luca sits next to Grave. He places his cell on the table, and I flip my Zippo open and closed as I stare at it.

The conference room has jammers all over it, so we conduct our business here. Secretive meetings where we talk about shit that cannot be repeated.

No cell phones or electrical devices will work in this room, just in case someone tries to record anything. The Kings cover our asses.

“What’s the issue?” Bones asks Luca.

He undoes his suit jacket before answering. “Well, the fact that Kenneth didn’t give you anything to go on doesn’t look good.”

“The guy wasn’t going to talk,” Grave states, leaning back in his seat and getting comfortable.

“He was dead. Doesn’t matter who did it. The guy was on borrowed time,” Bones agrees with his brother.

“Maybe, but we needed to know when that shipment was going to arrive,” Luca says.

“There’s got to be someone else who knows something.” Titan is the one

who speaks.

“The Mason brothers,” Grave offers.

“No.” Bones shakes his head.

“Just because you don’t like them doesn’t mean they can’t be helpful,”

Grave snaps at him.

“I don’t want them involved,” Bones goes on.

“And I don’t want people I love killed.” Grave stands, throwing his ice pack into the center of the custom black table where a skull is carved out.

“Some of us actually have something to lose here, Bones.”

His brother sighs, looking up at him, but he doesn’t argue. I can understand Grave’s frustration. Titan and Bones have nothing to do with the Mason brothers, but I don’t mind them.

“I can go speak to them. Dig around a little,” I offer. “If I don’t think they can help, then I won’t give anything away.”

The room falls silent, and Luca looks at Nite. “You can go with him.”

Nite nods as if it was a question. Nite is our secret weapon per se. The guy doesn’t speak. He’s been a mute since college.

“Then it’s decided,” Grave states before turning and exiting the room, shoving the double doors open.

Bones bows his head, running his hand through his hair, obviously not pleased. But what can he do at this point? He may be Grave’s older brother, but Grave has always done what he wants to do. The kid wasn’t nicknamed Grave for nothing. He’s always had a death wish.

“We’ll go tonight,” I say, and once again, Nite nods, letting me know that’s fine. I have no doubt that Grave will go with me as well.

“Don’t leave him there with them alone.” Bones finally speaks, thinking the same as me before he too gets up and leaves the room.

I exit the conference room and get to my office. I pull out my cell and see if anything comes through now that I have service. Nothing.

I pull up Alexa’s number on my cell. I had put mine in her phone and then called myself. I told her to text me later, but I wasn’t going to rely on her to take that step. If need be, I’ll take it myself.

I write her out a text but then delete it and decide to just go see her tonight after I’m done at the Airport. It’ll be harder for her to reject me in person.

_______________

GRAVE AND I get out of my car at the Airport. Nite pulls up beside us and gets out of his. We make our way into the building and to the Mason brothers’ office. Grave hasn’t said two words to me since we left Kingdom, but I’m not taking it personally. He’s been in a pissy mood since we were here last night.

We enter the office, and Turner Mason—the middle brother—sits at the table. A duffel bag sits open in the center with money falling out of it onto

the surface. He wears his shoulder holster with a Desert Eagle on each side.

The Mason brothers shoot first and never ask questions.

Trey Mason—the baby—sits on his brother’s right. He spots us first.

Pushing his chair back, he balances it on the back two legs and places his black boots up on the table. He locks his fingers behind his head, wearing a fucking smirk on his face.

I don’t see the eldest brother, Tanner, but the guy to Turner’s left quickly gets my attention. Because I just saw him last night. Mitch stands there with his back toward us, his hands on a woman’s ass and his tongue down her throat. And it must be my lucky day because I also know the woman he’s giving mouth to mouth to.

“Look, it’s two Kings and a Nite,” Trey announces to the room, alerting everyone of our presence.

Mitch shoves the woman away and spins around. His wide eyes meet mine. “Cross …”

The woman gasps and quickly shoves her skirt down back into place as if I’ve never seen her pussy before. I’ve made it very clear that we’re not exclusive, and she can fuck whoever she wants.

“I’m, uh …” Rachel rushes out, shoving her way through Grave and me and exiting the office.

“You can leave too.” I direct my attention to Mitch.

He squares his shoulders, about to tell me to fuck off when Turner snaps his fingers. “Out.”

Mitch doesn’t argue with him. No one ever wins with the Mason brothers or the Kings, for that matter. He exits much less dramatically than the girl.

“To what do we owe the honor?” Trey asks, that stupid smirk still on his face. I want to push him backward so he’ll fall out of his chair.

I don’t mind the Mason brothers even though I really don’t want to work with them. But Grave was right. If anyone knows what we need, it’ll be them. I direct my attention to Turner. “We need to speak to you privately.”

“Get the fuck out, Trey!” he orders his baby brother without a thought.

Turner Mason is all business, all the time. He reminds me of Bones.

Trey rights his chair and stands, giving his brother a go to hell look as he exits, knowing better than to argue with him. The Mason brothers aren’t afraid to fight, and that includes each other.

“What do you guys need?” Turner asks.

“Have you had any problems with your shipments lately?” Grave gets to the point.

Turner tilts his head and frowns slightly. “No.” He answers slowly. Not as if he had to think about it, more as if whether he should divulge that information to us or not.

The Mason brothers are like the Kings—they each have their own role in their business. Turner Mason is a contract killer; he is also in very tight with the Mexican Cartel. He makes monthly trips down to Arizona to exchange cargo, if you know what I mean. Hence the bag that sits on the table overflowing with cash and the guns strapped to his sides.

“Why do you ask?” He places his hands on the table.

Grave runs a hand through his hair, frustrated that this is going to be another dead end. “We had a client come to us, wanting us to take care of a problem. We found a guy … and let’s just say he’s now buried in the desert

because he refused to talk.”

“What was the shipment?” Turner asks.

“Diamonds,” I answer. He has to know what he’s looking for. Otherwise, this visit was pointless. People will sell and trade anything.

Turner nods his head once. “I will keep an eye out and let you know if I hear anything that sounds off.”

“Thanks,” I say and turn to leave, ready to get the fuck out of here, but Turner stops me when he speaks to Grave.

“But I do have some information that you may want to know.”

Grave steps forward, getting closer to the table where Turner’s still

casually sitting. “What is it?”

“Your boy? He’s ten grand deep.”

“Son of a bitch.” Grave growls, shoving the door open and stepping into the hallway outside of the Mason brother’s office.

“Who is he talking about?” I ask, following him. Nite is on my ass as well.

“Fucking Ethan,” he snaps over his shoulder before coming to a stop and turning to face Nite and me. “Can I ride with you?” he asks Nite. “I need to run by somewhere.”

Nite nods once and pulls his keys out of his pocket.

“I can take you,” I offer.

Grave waves me off, and I look at Nite. “Text me if you need me.”

Nite walks off, trying to keep up with Grave when I hang back and pull out my cell to check it. Still nothing from Alexa. Deciding I’ll make my move, I pocket my phone and head toward the parking garage. I’m almost to my car when I hear my name being called out behind me.

“Cross?”

I turn around and let out a sigh when I see Rachel running after me.

Giving her my back, I say, “I have somewhere to be.”

“Hey?” She grabs my shoulder and spins me around to face her. “That was nothing. He’s nothing,” she rushes out, licking her lips. Her once dark red lipstick now rubbed off due to her kissing Mitch back in Mason’s office.

I’m not sure why she cares what I saw. It doesn’t change anything between us. “It’s fine. You can fuck whoever you want.”

She flinches and lets out a deep breath from running to catch up with me.

“I just wanted you to know that … he …”

“Mitch.” I say his name, and her light brown eyes widen as if I wouldn’t know him. A part of being a King is knowing everyone.

She crosses her arms over her small chest. “I just want you to know that this won’t affect my ability at the shop.”

I nod. Ah, I get it. She doesn’t want to get fired. Rachel here works for me at my tattoo shop inside of Kingdom. I started fucking her not long after I hired her. “You’re fine.” I dismiss her and get into my car, having somewhere to be too.

ALEXA

A LITTLE AFTER one a.m., I’m standing behind the register, closing out a tab, when I look up to see Cross sitting at the bar.

“Hey. What are you doing here?” I ask, looking around to see if he’s alone, which he is. No other King in sight.

“Came to see you.” His green eyes drop to my chest, and he licks his lips.

My thighs tighten, and my heart instantly picks up. I look away from him, biting my lip. “And why would you do that?” I haven’t messaged him today because I didn’t want him to think that I thought last night was more than it was. I’m a big girl and understand what a one-night stand is. Last night wasn’t my first rodeo in that department. I’m twenty-two, not sixteen.

“I think you can guess why,” he replies.

My eyes snap back to his, and he leans forward. Placing his tatted forearms on the bar top, I remind him, “We said one night.” I lie because I’m not really sure what all was said last night, but it’s worth a try.

He slowly shakes his head, the corner of his lips turning up into a soft yet very heart-stopping smile. “I don’t remember making that promise.”

My wet pussy reminds me that it wants a replay while my mind says back the fuck up and say hell no. A King is the last thing I need to get addicted to. Especially one who promised his best friend he wouldn’t.

“Well, we did.” I close the register and walk over to the other end, placing Jake’s change in front of him. “Do you need me to call you an Uber?” I ask the old man.

Lucky’s isn’t a hip bar, if you know what I mean. I took it over last year.

Lucky was a friend of my mother’s, and when he passed, he left it to me.

He had no kids and no siblings. I had my first job here when I was sixteen.

It was just my brother and me with my mother, and we fell on hard times.

He hired me and paid me cash under the table—because of my age—to pick up after everyone. I had dreams to go to college and do something else with my life, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love what I do now.

“No, I’m good,” he answers through a cough. “My friend is coming to get me.”

I smile at him. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Then I lift the bar at the end and walk down the hallway to my office. I instantly spin around when I hear someone enter behind me. Cross is shutting the door. “What are you doing?”

“You,” he says matter-of-factly.

“I’m working,” I answer, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach and give him my back. I don’t have time to become Cross’s little fuck toy, no matter how much I want that. This is the very reason I avoided messaging him today. What was I going to say? Hey, let’s fuck? Or hey, thanks for last night? It was going to be awkward no matter what I chose to say. So, I just didn’t. I never thought he’d show up here.

Grabbing my arm, he spins me around, and before I can protest, his hands cup my face, and his lips are on mine. He kisses me deeply, passionately. Like I’m dying, and he’s trying to give me his air.

My arms go around his neck without thought, and I lean into him, pressing my body into his, and I feel his hard dick push against my lower

stomach. I moan at the feel of it, the memory of last night. The King knew what he was doing. Not like I’m surprised. Guys like him are usually the best fucks and toxic as hell.

I suck in a deep breath when he pulls away.

“I’ve got work to do,” I protest one last time, trying to make my body

understand what my head is screaming.

You’re sober now, Alexa. Just say no.

He spins me around and picks me up, dropping me onto the old brown leather couch. His hands quickly go to my jeans, and I don’t stop him.

Instead, I tell my mind to shut the fuck up and push my hair back from my face. Lifting my hips, I give him better access to remove them. Then he drops to his knees beside the couch and throws my legs over his broad shoulders.

My breath picks up as I look down at him kneeling between my wide- open legs, totally exposed to him, wishing I could see his body in the light like he can see mine. “Just relax, babe,” he says as his eyes slowly devour me.

I arch my back and reach out, grabbing his spiked hair when he lowers his head between my legs and licks my pussy.

“Yes …” I trail off, bucking my hips while he fucks my cunt with his tongue.

My eyes are closed, my head tilted back, and I swear I’m drunk all over again. His arms are wrapped around my hips, holding them down while I try to buck my hips with each thrust of his tongue. He plays with my clit at the same time, and I’m unable to keep still.

My body breaks out in a cold sweat, and I’m gasping to breathe. My back arches painfully off the leather couch, and I bite into my tongue to keep from yelling while I come.

I’m lying here spent, shaking like a leaf on a tree when he stands to his full height. I reach out aimlessly, grabbing his shirt and yanking him toward me. His right hand goes to the back of the couch to catch himself so he doesn’t fall on top of me.

My hand snakes around his neck, and I pull his face down to mine.

Sticking my tongue out, I lick along his cum-stained lips.

He lets out a growl from deep in his chest, rumbling against mine. My hands go to the hem of his shirt, and I start yanking it up. I want him inside

me. I know I just got off, but I’m going to be greedy. He was the one who came here wanting me. Why can’t I use him?

He pulls away and leans his head down, allowing me to yank his shirt up and over his head.

I pause, my hand on his left pec as my eyes travel over his ink. This is the first time I’ve seen him shirtless in the light.

He’s got a skull wearing a tilted crown on his right pec with crossbones underneath it, and the silver cross dangling from around his neck catches my attention. I’ve never noticed it before. He must keep it tucked inside his shirt.

When I reach out and grab it, his hand immediately wraps around my throat. He stretches his arm out, holding my head down to the couch.

I look up at him, and his emerald eyes are glowing. There’s a story there —with the cross. One that he doesn’t want to share.

I hold my hands out to my side and adjust my back on the couch, silently letting him know that we don’t have to get personal if he doesn’t want to.

It’s just a hookup. Another one.

Letting go of my neck, I go to speak, but he yanks me up by my wrists.

He plops down onto the couch and jerks me down onto his lap where I straddle him. My hands go to his belt while his find my hair. Then he’s pulling me in for a deep kiss.

_______________

I STAND AND button my jeans while he zips his. “This can’t happen again,” I say.

He smirks, pulling his shirt up and over his head. Once again, I didn’t get to explore his body. He held me tightly to his body the whole time. I’m pretty sure he did that on purpose. I think the fact that I touched the cross around his neck put him on alert. “That’s cute.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m serious, Cross.” No, I’m not.

He walks over to me. “Why is that? We’re both adults having fun, right?”

“Yeah, but …”

“Then why would you turn down sex when you can have it whenever you want?” He arches a brow.

When I don’t argue, he knows he’s won. I’m pretty sure he already knew it, but I was trying to play hard to get.

The corner of his lips turn up into a sexy smirk, and I push past him.

Turning the knob, I open the door and go to storm out but come to a stop when I see my brother standing on the other side. His hand is out as if he was about to open the door and enter. Thank God Cross and I are done and dressed because the door wasn’t locked.

“What the …?” He trails off as his eyes run over my knotted hair and flushed cheeks.

I quickly look down to make sure my shirt is covering my breasts and right side out. All good. “Can I help you?” I ask, pushing my right hip out while hanging on to the door for balance. My legs are still shaking.

Cross comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around me from behind like he’s pissing on his territory. He has no clue who this is. As far as he knows, this is just another Mitch. I have to refrain from smiling. Is he jealous?

My brother looks up at him, and his dark eyes narrow. He knows exactly who he is. My brother hates the Kings. He’s got all these conspiracy theories about them and talks about how evil they are. That’s the appeal.

“Cross, this is my brother. Derek, this is Cross.” I’m not going to pretend Derek is someone he’s not.

Neither one of them says anything to one another. Just an awkward silence follows. I push off the door and turn in Cross’s arms. “I need to close up.” It’s too late to deal with them right now.

He cups my face and leans his head down. “I’ll see you tomorrow, gorgeous.” Then he kisses my lips. It’s a slow and sensual kiss. I can still taste myself, and it makes me moan. When he’s done, he pulls away and slaps me on the ass before leaving the room, shouldering past my brother.

“What in the fuck are you doing, Alexa?” Derek doesn’t waste a second.

I exit the office as well and walk down the hallway back to the bar.

Giving a quick look around, I see it’s empty, and he’s already started clearing off the tables.

“Who I fuck is none of your business,” I say and start picking up the empty glasses on the bar top.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he snaps. “Your best friend fucks a King, so you have to as well?”

I spin around on him. “Don’t talk about April like that.” My brother used to have a thing for her. Hell, he probably still does. He’s a sore fucking loser that she didn’t pick him.

“You have no idea what kind of person he is.” He points at the front door.

“It’s just sex.” I shrug. “Like you’ve known every girl you’ve fucked.”

“I …” He lifts his arms, running both hands through his dark hair, giving a rough laugh. “I can’t believe I’m hearing this.” They drop to his sides.

“He is evil. They are evil. The Kings …”

“You’re not a saint, Derek, so quit pretending you’re better than them,” I snap, getting extremely pissy. Why does he care who I hook up with? Or what they’ve done? As far as I know, they’ve never hurt him. Cross didn’t act like he knew him. He definitely didn’t know he was my brother; he thought he was a threat to his newest fuck buddy.

“I am better than them!” he shouts.

“Get the fuck out of my bar!” I scream at him.

Silence fills the empty space before he lets out a long breath. “So that’s how it is?” he asks, surprised.

“Yes!” I hiss. I’m not in the mood right now. I’m exhausted, and my body feels hungover. Is that a thing? Orgasm to the point you need to recover. I still have at least an hour here cleaning up the place.

“Fine!” He laughs like I’m stupid. Then he turns around and storms out the back, leaving me pissy.