Cross (Dark Kings 3)

My jaw tightens, slamming the lighter shut. I know exactly who it is and why Grave didn’t give them up.

Motherfucker!

I rush out of the house just like the others and jump in my car that’s parked in Grave’s driveway. Squealing the tires, I pull out my cell, dialing a number that I never use, but I still have it. One of those things that’s good to have for a rainy day.

“Cross. Well, this is a surprise,” the man says, answering after the first ring. I can practically hear his smile through my car’s speakers. “What is this three times in the same number of weeks?”

“I need a favor,” I say through gritted teeth, hating that I even had to make this call in the first place. Everything has a price.

Turner Mason lets out a low whistle. “Well, you know those cost you, right?”

I refrain from growling. “Yeah.”

“What may I do for you?” he asks happily.

“Ethan Davis. Know where I can find him?”

He gives a soft chuckle. “Well, Cross. It’s your lucky day! He just so happens to be right here.”

I let out a long breath. At least it’ll be worth it. I’d do anything for my best friend and his girlfriend. Not like the Mason brothers can demand my soul. I sold that to the devil years ago. And if everything goes right with Kale, we’ll be business partners.

ALEXA

JASMINE AND I sit on the end of Grave and April’s bed with her. Jasmine holds her hand while I rub her back, and Emilee paces back and forth. Haven stands over by the window with her back to us as she stares out over the city. She hasn’t said anything, which surprises me. She’s usually the first one to have an opinion on something. Maybe she understands how fragile April is right now after losing the baby.

“This was my biggest fear,” April cries softly.

“I don’t think he’d lie to you.” Jasmine jumps to Grave’s defense.

“Me either. But …” She shakes her head. “Who else could it be?”

“He’s hiding something.” Haven finally speaks, turning to face us.

“You don’t know that,” Jasmine snaps.

April sniffs. “I’ve shut him out to avoid this.”

I sigh at her confession.

“I didn’t want him to feel,” she admits with a sob. Pulling her hand free from Jasmine’s, she covers her face with her hands. “I didn’t want him to turn to drugs. I can’t lose him too.” Turning, she buries her face into my shirt.

I hug her tightly and start to rock us back and forth gently.

Haven opens her mouth, but Jasmine snaps her fingers at her, shaking her head. Haven rolls her eyes and spins back around, giving us her back.

“He’s not going anywhere,” I tell her, my chest tightening. This is why she’s kept everything in and why she refuses to open up to anyone. She was trying to take all the burden on herself to save Grave. “April …”

The sound of a door banging open from downstairs cuts me off. “Cross … what the fuck?” Luca, Haven’s husband, yells from the first floor.

We all jump to our feet and rush out to see what’s going on. Looking down over the banister, we see a guy lying on the floor in the middle of their foyer. Face bloody along with busted knuckles. His shirt is ripped, and his jeans are dirty. He looks up at April, making his way to a sitting position, and wipes the bloody drool off with the back of his hand.

We start our way down the stairs, not nearly as fast as we left the bedroom. Once we hit the landing, I look at Cross wide-eyed. It can’t be …

“Ethan.” April steps toward him, but I pull her back. He looks like a feral cat ready to attack. She’s been through enough shit already tonight. I feel the need to protect her from everyone at this point. “What the hell happened to you?”

“Tell her,” Cross demands, kicking him with his shoe.

“Fuck you!” he spits out at Cross.

“Dude? What are you …?” Luca starts, but Cross bends down, grips Ethan by his hair, and forces him to stand.

“Tell. Her,” he growls.

“Cross. Don’t.” Grave shakes his head, coming to join the commotion. Titan and Bones are right behind him.

When did he come back? Last I had heard, he left. Bones must have brought him back.

“I’m not going to let it go down this way,” Cross tells Grave. “Not to you. Not now.”

“What is he talking about?” April asks Grave, turning to face him.

“Nothing,” he dismisses her, unable to meet her eyes.

Cross gives an evil laugh, and it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I’ve never seen him like this—a Dark King. I’ve heard stories from the girls, and the town knows how Kingdom is run. But he seems different right now. Like he has nothing to lose.