2 Chapter Two (1/2)
”You're late, Cross,” Lexi stated flatly, her eyes flicking back and forth across the deserted hallway before falling on the young man before her. He gave her an uncommitted shrug, running a hand through his dark hair and staring at her with tired eyes.
”Train delay. Conductor sick. Next train. Twenty minutes. Good to see you too, Lex. Now shut up,” Cross said tersely, pushing past her and into the room. He shrugged off his hooded-jacket and fell onto the bed after a quick fist bump with Banksy. He eyed the open safe, reaching from the bed and picking up a loose diamond. ”Mind if I take this one?”
”Gonna give it to some unlucky girl?” Banksy grinned before ducking as Cross launched a pillow at him.
”Just always good to have some leverage.” Cross said, slipping the rock into his pocket. ”What are we delivering today?”
”This.” Lexi walked into the room and dropped the letter on his chest. Cross picked it up and turned it over in his hands curiously.
”A letter?” He rolled over and threw an arm over his eyes, letting the letter drop to the floor. ”The Posters can handle that.”
”It's a will.” Lexi corrected him. ”A rather important one. An entire estate hinges on that will being delivered before the Kingdom takes control of all the assets and they are sold off to the highest bidder. Someone worked very hard to keep it from being found.”
”Perfect.” Cross yawned. ”Wake me up in fifteen princess.”
From his spot on the floor Banksy shook his head, not bothering to look up.
Lexi stared down at Cross for almost a full minute, an uncharacteristically generous offering, before slamming her open palm into his stomach and twisting her fingers into the fabric of his shirt. Cross let out a loud curse as he was lifted bodily from the bed and tossed across the room. He slid down the wall and fell to the ground in a pathetic pile, moaning meekly. Lexi took a step towards him.
”Right, then. Important.” Cross said with a groan as he pushed himself up from the floor and poked at his bruised stomach experimentally. He accepted the will from Banksy without a word and slipped it into a thick leather pouch that was strapped securely to the side of his right leg. He gave Lexi a mock salute before he began to walk towards the door, leaving his jacket lying on the bed. ”Courier Cross, package accepted. Estimated delivery: Five hours.”
”Not taking your jacket?” Banksy called, trying not to laugh. ”Don't want you catching a cold.”
”Wore it the entire ride with the hood up, ditching it should throw off any tails I might have picked up. I'll take the back way out of here too, just to be safe. After that last job… I think we're starting to get too popular with someone.” Cross shook his head. ”I'll see you guys back at home tomorrow.”
He gave them a halfhearted wave before disappearing out the door.
”You know, you didn't have to hit him that hard.” Banksy said before nervously eyeing the discarded jacket. ”You really think he's being followed?”
”Cross can handle himself.” Lexi said confidently, but the words sounded hollow to Banksy. ”Grab the rest, it's time to go.”
xXx
Cross watched the countryside pass by at a rapid pace through the train's window, the first few hours of the trip passed by in what felt like a blink. He watched with mild amusement a group of young bullins attempt to keep pace with the train, thick steam blowing from their nostrils as they threw their horned heads with determination as they raced faster and faster. However, even with their considerable speed they soon fell out of his view and he settled back into his seat, glancing around the nearly empty compartment. Yawning, he started to close his eyes when a weight dropped in his stomach.
It only took him a moment to realize what was wrong.
It was highly unusual for a car to be this empty, especially this time of the day. The train station itself had been rather busy. It didn't make any sense. He rubbed his temples, eyes flicking to the other passengers. There were only four, all of them men, all wearing similar clothing. Plain brown jackets and pants. The two to his right were sitting together across from him at a table, while the other two were spread apart a few rows in front of him. He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes.
His mind went blank.
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