Arranged love

He leans back in his chair. “Interested in the diamond business, Kings? That’s surprising.” His eyes slide to Nite, who of course hasn’t said a word. He never does. Sometimes I forget he’s even in the room when I’m with him. Then he looks at Titan. “I’m guessing this has to do with your client and their shipment. I’m going to need a little more to go on if you want me to set up a friend of mine.”

If it’s smuggled into the country, Turner knows where from and by who. Working for the cartel has given him inside information about everything. He’s also their personal hitman. He takes out their competition for them, keeping them on top.

Titan snorts. “Kale isn’t friends with anyone. He’s only looking out for himself.”

“Funny, I’ve heard people say that about the Kings,” Turner states.

Titan jumps up from his seat, and I grab his hand, standing myself. “Yes, this is about the shipment.” Things have changed. We’ve gotten nowhere.

He brings his right hand up to his face, slowly running his finger over his lips. “What’s in it for me?”

“Half the shipment,” I state.

His eyes widen for a brief second, and he sits up straighter. “Let me get this straight. A buyer came to you and said that he’s missing a shipment that he purchased from Kale?” I nod. “And that buyer is willing to give half of it away for a finder’s fee?”

“Something like that,” Titan growls.

Turner smirks, sitting back in his seat again. He places his right ankle up on his left knee. “What’s in it for you?” He asks the billion-dollar question.

“Kale Freeman,” I say simply.

“Ah, I see. They want you to retrieve the shipment and then kill him for his lack of business skills.” He chuckles.

“That’s what happens when you’re not true to your word,” Titan states. “Guys have been killed for less.”

I sigh, not wanting this to turn into a pissing contest. “You set up the meeting for you. We just happen to tag along. You place an order, and we track it. See just how long the process takes and if you actually receive it.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“And what happens to me?” he asks, hands out wide. “When Kale is dead, and his men connect the dots?”

I smile. “We take over his business. His buyers will have no choice but to come to us. As partners.”

He tilts his head to the side. “The Kings and the Masons in bed together.”

Titan snorts, looking away from him with disgust.

“Well, Luca and Nite will be involved as well.” It’s a multibillion-dollar business. We can all split it and still see massive profits.

“How does Bones feel about this?” he asks. Grave and Trey Turner-the baby brother-used to be best friends. But things got heated, and they got in trouble. Tanner Mason-the eldest brother-went to jail for Trey. Bones has hated them ever since. None of us really know what happened or how it went down, but it’s in the past. Tanner is now free, but when he went into the slammer, Turner took over the business. He still handles most of it.

“We wouldn’t be here if he didn’t agree.” I lie. He doesn’t know the extent of our plan that Titan and I discussed on the way here. Nite agreed with head nods. But I’ll fill Bones in when it all works out.

“Well, Kings …” He stands, straightening his suit jacket and offering his right hand. “Let’s get us a meeting.”

Exiting his office, I quickly glance at my watch. I’m glad this didn’t take long because I’ve got a gorgeous blonde sleeping in my bed who I need to wake up.

ALEXA

FRIDAY AFTERNOON, I’M at Roses-April’s flower shop that her mother left her when she passed away-when Jasmine and Emilee walk in. “How’s your day been?” Jasmine asks.

“Good,” I answer, closing out my banking app on my phone. Ever since she came to me about Kink, I’ve had all kinds of ideas running through my mind for Lucky’s. I hate it. The hopes. The dreams. Things I’ve wanted to do for years and now feel like this is my chance to make those changes. If not, when? I’ve been too afraid to make any changes to the bar in case I fail. But now, I have a reason. A chance to actually do better. To grow. But it’s not going to come free.

Like Cross said, timing is rarely on our side.

“So, did April ever tell you why she wanted you to cover for her today?” Jasmine asks.

I shake my head as the door opens, making the bell ring, and April walks in. She has her dark purple hair up in a big messy bun and very little makeup on, but she looks well put together. It’s unsettling how she’s reacting to the loss of their baby. “Hey,” I say, standing up straighter. “How are you doing?”

Jasmine glares at me like I’m an idiot for asking such a stupid question, but I can’t help it. I feel if I ask it enough, she’ll eventually break down and talk to me.

April sets her purse on the counter and looks at us, ignoring my question. “Congratulations on the new business.”

Did Cross talk to Grave? He’s the only one I’ve spoken to about it. Maybe it was Jasmine. I exchange a look with her, and she slowly shakes her head. “How did you …?”

“Emilee told me. That’s great news,” April throws over her shoulder as she walks toward her office.

Jasmine and I turn to Emilee.

“Sorry,” she whispers quickly. “I went over to their place the other night to try to talk to her, and she wouldn’t say anything about herself. She just sat there staring at the wall, and I started word vomiting.” Her large blue eyes start to fill with tears, biting her lip. “I hope it wasn’t a secret.”

“Of course not,” Jasmine assures her with a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m so sorry. I panicked,” Emilee rambles. “I didn’t know what else to say.”

“It’s okay. I promise. Don’t worry about it.”

“We should celebrate,” April announces, walking back into the front of the shop from her office.

“Oh, no-” I start.

“That’s not necessary,” Jasmine interrupts me.

“Nonsense.” April waves us off. “We’re celebrating. Tomorrow night. At our house.”

“Well, technically, it’s not official yet,” I state, trying to turn her down nicely.

April’s face falls, and she looks down at her hands as a silence fills the shop. “I just … I need something. To take my mind off … you know? A distraction.”

Jasmine, Emilee, and I rush over to her immediately, giving her a big hug. April can throw us whatever kind of celebration party she wants. If that is a step to help her grieve, then we’ll let her do it. I did promise that I’d give her anything she needed.

“What should I bring?” I ask.