Cross (Dark Kings 3)

“Anything I can do?” Bones asks me.

My eyes meet his, surprised by that question. “You’re offering to help me do what exactly?” If he’s as bad as Derek seems to believe, then that could be endless possibilities. I’m not discrediting my brother’s concern for the Kings, but I trust Jasmine. If she says they’re okay, then I believe her. She’s known them all of her life while my brother only knows what he’s heard.

Bones crosses his tatted arms over his chest, lifting his chin just a bit. “I’m asking if there’s a problem that needs to be solved regarding the business.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I handled it. He quit.”

He nods, satisfied with that answer, and a silence falls over the bar before Bones speaks again. “You ready to close up?”

I nod. “Yeah. Everything is done for the night.”

He stands. “Come on. I’ll walk you ladies to your cars.”

I look at the front door my brother just stormed out of and think of my next step. It’s been on my mind ever since I signed the papers for Kink in New York. I want more, and I know what I must do in order to get it.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

ALEXA

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I meet Jasmine for breakfast at Kingdom. I must say that it’s nice staying the night here up in the Kings Royal Suite. Cross was right. No one has been here, so we’ve had it to ourselves.

“You’re being really quiet today,” Jasmine observes while I push around the eggs on my plate.

April has been heavy on my mind. I wonder where she is. Are she and Grave okay? Relationship wise? When she got pregnant, she was prepared to do it on her own because she knew Grave had demons. But he changed for her. And then when they lost the baby, she was afraid once again. That losing their child might bring them back for him. I haven’t messaged her, not wanting to bother her. I know if I was them, I’d have my cell off anyway. They left to be alone and grieve in their own way.

“Earth to Alexa?” Jasmine orders, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

“Hmm?” I look up at her.

She chuckles, shaking her head softly. “I said you’ve been really quiet. Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” I wave her off. “Fine.” Picking up my fork, I take a bite of my eggs. “Actually, there is something I want to talk about with you.”

“I’m all ears.”

Dropping my fork, I say, “I want to find another job.” I might as well tell her my plans. We’re partners after all.

She frowns. “Why would you want to do that? I told you that Kink …”

“It doesn’t have to do with Kink. Well, yeah, I guess it does.”

She pushes her plate away, giving me her full attention. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I want to remodel the bar. And in order to do it how I want, I need to close it down,” I state. “So, I need another job while it’s under construction.”

She tilts her head to the side for a second. “Well, first off, please don’t do this because of me and Kink. Do not think you need to change Lucky’s for our new business.”

I figured she’d think this. And honestly, if I hadn’t gone into business with her for Kink, I probably wouldn’t be doing it. “I’ve wanted to do it for a while now. The fact we’re going to remodel the basement for Kink just makes this the perfect time.”

“Okay then.” She starts digging into her Chanel bag and pulls out a checkbook and pen, clicking the end she asks. “How much do you want me to make it out for?”

“No, no, no,” I say, quickly throwing up my hands. “I don’t want your money, Jasmine. This isn’t about that.”

She frowns. “Why not?”

I run a hand through my hair in frustration. I don’t want her to think I’m using her. That is not what this is about. “I have money saved up. I just need a job in the meantime to keep funds flowing,” I explain.

She puts her pen and checkbook away and smiles. “Well, I can help with that too. Ever heard of Glass?”

“The strip club?” I question. “Who hasn’t?” It’s the classiest one on the Strip. They have the best girls and the strongest security. “What about it?” Not sure what that has to do with me. I’ve never been inside, but the girls from the club come into Lucky’s. They’re great tippers.

“I can get you a job there.”

I begin to laugh. “I’m not going to strip.”

“Not as a dancer. A cocktail waitress,” she clarifies. “They make bank there. Plus, they might be able to put you behind the bar.”

“Okay.” I could do that. It’s just serving drinks. I’ve worked in a bar since before I was even legal. It’s all I know really.