Page 4 of Cross’s Reckoning

"Yesterday wasn't about Kingdom Come."

"They've been pushing us for months."

"No. Yesterday was about Kane telling your father no."

"You think Cyrus should just let everything go?"

"I think he's willing to get every man here killed proving he's still the hardest bastard in Missouri."

The words hit harder than they should because pieces of that thought have already occurred to me. I've pushed them away because asking those questions felt too close to disloyalty.

"You're wrong."

"Probably."

"Don't do that."

His brows draw together. "Do what?"

"Say it like none of this matters to you."

For the first time since I walked in, something openly angry reaches his face. "You think I want to ride away from ten years?"

"I think you're making it look pretty fucking easy."

Cross steps close enough that I have to tip my chin to hold his gaze. He doesn't touch me. He never does. He'll shove a brother aside without thinking, yet with me there's always an inch of space left between us. Enough that I've known for years it's deliberate.

"You don't know me as well as you think you do, Lola."

"I know enough."

"That's the problem."

I should ask what he means, but he's already moving around me toward the door, heading for his bike. Actually leaving.

"Cross."

He stops and looks back.

For one stupid second, I expect him to ask me something. Maybe tell me to come with him, which is insane. Still, disappointment catches me when all he says is, "Don't tell him until I'm gone."

"Fuck you. You seriously think I'm going to cover for you?"

"No. But I'm going to ask you anyway."

That should make me feel better, but it doesn't. I follow him outside. Cross swings onto his bike and starts the engine, the sound cutting across the yard. He looks at me once before riding toward the gate. I could shout. I could run inside and tell Cyrus before Cross reaches the road. Instead, I stand there while the gate opens and watch his taillight disappear into the dark. I count slowly to sixty before I go back inside.

My father is still near the bar when I return. His eyes go past me immediately, searching for Cross. "Well?"

I don't know what I'm going to say until the words are already out. "Couldn't find him."

Raze looks at me, only once and then he looks away. My father swears and reaches for his phone. Less than five minutes later, one of the brothers from outside comes in and says Cross's bike is gone and his patches are in the garage.

After that, the clubhouse finally falls silent for real. My pulse beats hard enough to feel in my throat as my father heads down the hallway with Raze and three other men behind him. They find the stripped patches quickly. I know the exact moment because Cyrus roars Cross's name loudly enough to carry through the whole yard. When he comes back, he's gripping the Perdition patch in one fist.

"Raze. Get men on the road. Bring him back."

Raze straightens carefully. "He's got a head start."