Arranged love

ALEXA

“WHAT ARE WE doing here?” I ask Cross as he pulls into the parking garage at the Airport. After he told me we were going out, I didn’t have time to ask questions. He informed me I had one hour to be ready to leave.

“Grave messaged the group, saying that he was meeting Derek here.”

“What?” I shriek. “Oh God, Cross. You can’t let him fuck him up. I understand he’s an ass, but he is my brother. And if Grave breaks his legs, I’ll have to take care of him.” That’s all I need-add babysitting to my already very busy schedule.

Cross chuckles at my concern. “Calm down. The message that Grave sent said he spoke to Derek and is meeting him here. I guess Derek is helping Grave find Ethan.”

“Oh, okay. Whew.” I reapply my lip gloss, thinking that doesn’t sound so bad.

“Don’t get too excited. I said he won’t touch Derek. That doesn’t mean he won’t beat up Ethan,” he adds dryly.

Well … shit. That wouldn’t be good. Then he’d be hurting April.

Cross gets out of the car and walks around to open my door to help me out. I see Titan’s candy apple red Maserati pull up next to us and park. Then he’s helping Emilee out of the car too.

“Hey, sexy,” I say, looking her over. She wears a pair of black booty shorts and a white sheer crop top. She’s got her dark hair pulled up into a high ponytail and her makeup done heavy with red lips. They match his car.NôvelDrama.Org © content.

“Look at you.” She looks me up and down. “Fucking hot, girl.” Coming over to me, she gives me a kiss on the cheek that I return. As I’m turning around, I see Titan and Cross are standing over by his car whispering.

I can’t make out what they’re saying. Cross just happens to look up and see me watching. He turns, giving me his back, and continues talking.

What the fuck? We said no secrets.

A white BMW i8 pulls up next to Titan’s car, and Jasmine gets out. “Look at you two hot bitches,” she announces, pulling down her black mini skirt.

Emilee laughs, and I smile, but it drops the moment that I see her passenger door open and who exits. “Derek?” My arms fall to my sides.

I notice that Titan and Cross pause their secret conversation to look over at us.

I look at Jasmine. “Why would you bring him? He’s been nothing but mean to you.”

She smiles. “Yeah, but he called me and apologized. So, I offered him a ride.”

“May I talk to you for a moment?” I grab his upper arm and pull him across the parking garage.

“Alexa …?”

“I got it, Cross!” I snap at him.

“What is your problem?” Derek asks, yanking his arm from my grip once we’re away from the others.

I point my finger in his face. “I don’t know what you’re doing …”

“I’m trying to make things right.” He sighs. “After today, I understand the dick that I’ve been.”

“This better not be a joke, Derek,” I warn.

“Look.” He looks over my shoulder, I’m guessing to make sure Cross and Titan aren’t on their way over here, then back to me. “I love you. No matter who you are with. I still think they’re fucking insane.” He presses his hand to his chest where he was burned. “But I understand that the Kings are someone to have on your side. I want to make things right. Not only for you but also for April. If Ethan is in as much trouble as you say, I want to make sure he gets the help he needs.”

“Thank you.” I give him a small smile, and he pulls me in for a hug. “But just so you know, they will kill you, so don’t fuck this up.” I pat him on the back.

I now know a little of what Cross and the other Kings are capable of. I’m sure the fire marshal in their pockets is just one person of many that they have for resources.

“And don’t mention the baby to April. No matter how much you want to give her your condolences,” I add quickly, trying to think of everything I want to say.

“I wouldn’t. Never.” He shakes his head.

“Everything okay?” Cross asks me when I walk back over to the cars.

“Yep,” I answer.

“Alexa.” He grabs my arm, bringing me to a stop. His green eyes search mine before he speaks. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re keeping secrets from me.” I arch a brow, daring him to lie.

He lets go of me and looks over at Titan who is now talking to Bones, who just arrived in his blacked-out Lamborghini Reventon. “Yes, but it wasn’t intentional. We just started sharing an hour ago,” he whisper-shouts, getting irritated about something.

True, but he could have told me while we were in the car on the way here. “Will you tell me later?” I challenge.

“Of course.” He leans in, kissing my forehead, and I let him grab my hand, pulling me over to everyone.

Just then, a Dodge Challenger SRT Demon pulls up and parks. As expected, Grave and April get out of the car. She’s dressed in a white off-the-shoulder sweater dress. She’s got her dark purple hair braided down the center and all pulled up in a big messy bun high on her head. Her lipstick matches her hair, and she’s got smoky eyes with thick black liner. She looks stunning.

“Racing tonight?” Titan asks Grave, looking over his car. “She stays in the garage otherwise.”

“No. Just thought I’d drive her,” Grave answers. He holds his hand out for April, and she takes it, cuddling into his side with a soft smile on her face as she looks up at him adoringly.

They seem happier. Better than when I saw them together last in the Royal Suite. Grave looks over at my brother for a quick second and then dismisses him.

I have a feeling tonight isn’t going to go how the Kings are planning. That’s just not our luck lately.

“Are we ready?” Bones asks, looking around as if he’s counting everyone.

I’m not sure where Haven and Luca are, but they must not be coming.

“Yeah,” Cross answers, taking my hand, and we lead the way into the Airport.