Chapter 147
Nikolai
I know now’s not the right time, but fuck if I can’t stop my dick from getting hard at the way Alyssa just tore into Gray. She put him in his place like the fierce little queen she is, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to drag her off somewhere private and show her how much that fire turns me on.
once again. But at least he didn’t try to kill us when Alyssa dropped the
Gray must be feeling like a dumbass right now, blindly believing Christine of truth about our relationship. That’s progress, 1 guess.
When I notice King visibly relax, his shoulders loosening just a fraction, I move to thread my fingers through Alyssa’s hair, massaging her scalp as she sits in his lap like it’s her personal throne. She leans into our touches, sighing softly, and I can’t help but smirk.
After we make it out of this alive, I think I have to give her another throne to sit on later–one that involves my face.
Gray’s eyes narrow slightly as he watches us, but he doesn’t say a word about it. He sips the coffee Alyssa got him, his fingers drumming against the
table.
Good
He needs to get used to the idea that she’s ours. Whether he approves or not, it doesn’t change a damn thing. This is what Alyssa wants. Her choice. And if he tries to get in the way of her happiness, I’m willing to fight for it.
Mason remains watchful from his spot, arms crossed, his piercing green eyes scanning Gray like he’s expecting the man to snap at any second. I can tell that right now, he doesn’t trust that this conversation won’t take a sharp turn towards violence.
Shit, I don’t either.
Gray’s taking this a little too well.
Maybe he suspected it all along. That’s the only explanation I can think of for his non–explosive reaction. But at the same time, he could be to piece everything together, to find an angle he can use to reassert control. Too bad for him though, there isn’t one.
trying
I can’t believe I didn’t see it before,” Gray mutters, rubbing a hand over his jaw like this whole conversation is giving him a migraine. “I knew you all liked her it was pretty fucking obvious with the way you follow her like puppies—but I thought it would end with me having to stop you fuckers. from killing each other,”
I grin, stretching an arm across the back of Alyssa’s chair. “No killing here. Turns our King can be quite generous sometimes”
Gray’s laugh is hollow as he shakes his head. “How does this even work?” He gestures vaguely to all of us, his voice tight, as if it pains him to ask. “How do you manage to share her without getting jealous?”
King chuckles, his fingers still tracing slow, possessive circles over Alyssa’s belly. His smirk is lazy, like he’s enjoying Gray’s discomfort. “C’mon, Prez 1 really don’t think you want to know that.”
Gray scowls. “I don’t mean like that, he grits out. I mean, how the hell do you manage to make this work without ripping each other’s throats out?
That’s a little more complicated to answer.
I could tell him the truth–that fucking Alyssa only strengthens our bond. That we don’t just share her, but each other. That I fucking love choking on King and Mason’s cocks just as much as I love eating Alyssa out until she forgets her own damn name.
Yeah, that’s definitely not something he needs to hear. Besides, I don’t think any of us are ready to reveal any of that side of our relationship yet. To anyone. Not even Cray
Mason finally speaks, his voice low and even, like he’s choosing his words carefully. “We all have our own separate relationships with her. It’s not just about sharing–it’s about making sure she’s happy. And she makes time for all of us, separately and together. That’s why it works.”
I nod, giving Mason a glance of approval. That explanation is safe. It keeps things simple.
Gray exhales slowly, dragging a hand through his hair, frustration and hurt flickering across his features. “How the fuck did we end up here! A decade of loyalty, of trusting each other with our lives, and now you assholes are lying and keeping shit from me like I’m some outsider?”
“Only because of Christine, Alyssa argues defiantly.
Gray’s jaw flexes hard. “Christine has fault in it too, and I’ll deal with my wife later. But let’s be real, she wouldn’t have had a damn thing to blackmail you with if you had just told me the truth from the start. Do you know what it’s like to realize your best friends have been keeping secrets. from you? Ir sure as hell makes me wonder what else I don’t know
A thick silence blankets the room. Gray’s fingers tighten around the edge of the table, his knuckles whitening. He looks like he wants to say more, to lash out, but instead, he just exhales sharply, his shoulders sugging like the fight’s draining out of him.
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Chapter 147
“That’s the only thing we didn’t tell you, Gray,” I say, my voice steady but firm. “But if you really want honesty, Christine’s been trying to drive a wedge between us since the beginning. You’ve put her above everything else, even the club, and we’ve had to deal with the consequences of that.”
Over and over and over again.
Gray’s nostrils flare, his expression hardening. “And you’ve all done the same with Alyssa, he counters.
I hold his glare, unflinching. “Then you get why we kept this a secret. After how you reacted with King, it didn’t seem necessary to tell you about the rest of us. And honestly. Gray–no matter what you said, you would’ve had to kill me, because I wasn’t letting her go. I love her with all of my fucking heart. We all do:
Alyssa looks up at me, her hazel eyes glistening with raw emotion. Her lips part slightly before she mouths. I love you too,” thing in the world.
like it’s the most certain
Gray grimaces at the tension growing between us. Took…I need some time to get used to this, he mutters. “But Alyssa, you do know if this gets out, Isaac will use it against you, right?”
Alyssa nods. I know.”
Gray sighs heavily, glancing between all of us before settling his gaze back on her. “That means, for now, everyone only knows about You and King Just until your divorce is final and we figure out what to do with Iaar,”
Alyssa glances at me and Mason. “Are you guys okay with tha
I smile, cupping her cheek. “Anything for you, sweet p
girl.
Mason nods, his voice unwavering, “Whatever keeps you, Zuri, and the babies safe”
King grunts, clearly not happy about any of this, but knowing it’s the best way to protect her
Gray watches us for a moment, then takes a steadying breath. “We’ll figure this out. But I mean it. Alyssa–keep it under wraps. I don’t want to see you lose Zuri”
That would never happen anyway. We wouldn’t let it.
Suddenly, Gray’s phone vibrates. He barely glances at the screen before his expression darkens, rage flashing across his face.
“I have to go,” he says between clenched teeth. His gaze sweeps over each of us, locking onto mine first, then Mason’s, then King’s. “But hear ine loud and fucking clear–no more secrets. I mean it His jow tics, the weight of betrayal still evident in the hard set of his shoulders. “Not if you still want to call yourselves my brothers.”
Without waiting for a response, he pushes back from the table, lifting the phone to his ear. “Babe, we need to fucking talk,” he growls, striding towards the exit, his tone laced with a warning that promises Christine is finally going to suffer some consequences for her actions.
The second he’s out of earshot, I exhale a slow breath, crossing my arms over my chest. “I don’t want to say karma’s a bitch,” I say, smirking. “But…actually, no, I do. I hope he punishes the fuck out of her. It’s long overdue.
“I can’t believe that bitch threw us under the bus like that,” Alyssa mutters bitterly. But then she turns, nuzzling against King’s chest to ground herself. “But that could’ve gone worse.
“Way worse,” Mason agrees, finally pushing off the wall and joining us, his hand rubbing slow circles over her back.
“Yep. Time for some celebratory sex, I announce with a cocky grin.
Alyssa laughs, shaking her head, “That made you horny?”
I meet her gaze, my smirk deepening. “You made me horny. That was so fucking hot, watching you put Gray in his place.”
“It was, Mason agrees as King makes a noise of approval.
She I
but r
King
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