Cross (Dark Kings 3)

“Why would he care that she opens up a Kink?” I wonder.

“Jasmine’s dad is a big deal … or so he thinks. And he takes his reputation very seriously.” She rolls her eyes so hard her head moves. “He’s a piece of shit. Always has been. Always will be.”

“So, what’s going to happen when she chooses to go against his demands?”

“I’m guessing he’ll cut her off. Who the hell knows? Jasmine has always been very independent. Well, I don’t have to tell you that. You’re her friend. She’ll figure it out.”

I sit back and let out a sigh. I never stopped to think about what others would think once they see we are opening up Kink. The members that will come in and out. I’m guessing most, if not all, will be high profile. I mean, some average Joe Smith won’t be able to afford fifty grand to join.

_______________

I DIDN’T HAVE much to say to Emilee. We drove around in silence after she informed me of Jasmine’s situation. So, when she took me back to Kingdom, I jumped in my own car and headed to her house. I wasn’t ready to speak to Cross just yet. Not sure what to really say to him anyway. I was afraid I’d just make myself look stupid again.

I stand on the front porch of her mansion and ring the bell. Seconds later, the door opens to Jasmine standing before me. Her eyes drop to the bottle of Fireball in my right hand before they return back to me. “Figured we’d have a drink.”

I half expect her to slam the door in my face, but I’m hopeful when she takes a step back, holding it open for me instead. I notice the boxes sitting in the foyer immediately. Not hard to miss. “Are you moving?” I joke.

“Yes,” she deadpans.

The smile drops off my face, and I go to ask why she hasn’t already told me this but her doorbell rings.

Jasmine yanks it open. “Lauren,” She sighs. “What can I do for you today?”

“Your dog is in your backyard.” The older woman places her hands on her hips.

“Yes. I know this may come as a shock, but dogs have to piss and shit like humans do.”

She pulls her lips back at Jasmine’s choice of words. “She’s barking at me through your fence.”

“Dogs bark. Just like Karen’s bitch,” she states dryly.

The woman gasps.

“Have a nice day, Karen.” Then she slams the door in her face.

“You got a dog?” I ask confused.

“Yeah,” she answers, walking from the foyer.

I quicken my pace behind her as she heads to her kitchen. “Wait. What?” Let’s go back to her moving. “Are you serious about moving?” How did I not know this?

“As a heart attack.”

We enter the kitchen, and I place the Fireball bottle on the counter and turn around to face her as she gets two shot glasses out of the cabinet. “Since when?”

Grabbing the glasses, she turns back around and places them on the white marble counter and unscrews the lid before pouring us both a shot. She stays silent, fills her glass, and then throws it back, not even bothering to wait for me. Once done, she refills it.

Before she can take this one, I reach out and grab it from her hand. “What the hell is going on, Jasmine?” I demand this time.

Placing her hand on the counter, she bows her head and takes in a deep breath. Then she looks up, her eyes on mine. “I was a Queen.”

I’ve heard of that before.

“Hey, girlie.”

I look up from behind the bar to see Jasmine sit down next to April. “Hey. What are you doing here?” April asks her.

She shrugs. “Was on my way out for the night and thought I’d stop by and see Alexa. Have to support my friends.” She drops a couple of hundreds in the glass tip jar that sits on the bar. “What are you up to tonight?”

“Nothing,” April answers, taking a sip of her Corona.

“Come out with me. I’m going to a party,” Jasmine offers, fixing the thin shoulder straps to her little black dress.

“Nah—”

“Hey, you work at Kingdom,” I interrupt her, joining their conversation. I’m not sure exactly what she does, but I’ve heard her mention it. Maybe she can help April out with her Ethan problem. “We have questions.”

“What? You work at Kingdom? What do you do there?” April wonders.

Jasmine chuckles, shaking her head. “Sorry, ladies. I can’t discuss that.”

April frowns as my brother jumps in while he pours a Miller Lite into a frosted mug. “See, told you some bad shit goes down there.”

Jasmine squares her shoulders. “You know nothing about Kingdom. Trust me.”

He tops off the mug and sets it down before placing his forearms on the bar and leaning into her personal space. “I know that Bones is in with the Mafia. I know that a lot of illegal shit goes on there.” He pulls back and looks her up and down the best he can since she’s sitting, and adds, “And I know you’re a Queen.”