Chapter 82
Alyssa
After a restless nap, I spend the rest of the day with Zuri, clinging to every second as if it might be our last. I know King and Mason will protect me, but that lingering dread feels like a dark cloud I can’t shake. There’s a heaviness in my chest as I try to keep a smile on my face for Zuri’s sake. watching her laugh and play.
After kissing both her and Niko goodbye, King. Mason, and I find Gray outside, leaning against his bike with his arms crossed tightly over his chest, like he’s trying to hold himself together. His gaze is locked on me as we approach.
“Alyssa,” he says, his tone clipped.
I give him the middle finger. “Kiss my ass, Gray
He lets out a long, controlled sigh, his eyes darting to King, who presses a warm kiss to the back of my head. T’ll give you some space.” King murmurs, but 1 grip his arm, reluctant to let him go.
“You don’t have to. I don’t want to talk to him.”
Gray’s face lightens “Alyssa, we need to talk. Now”
I narrow my eyes as King steps back, moving to where Mason is.
“What the hell do you want, Gray!?” I snap
“To apologize on Christine’s behalf,” he says, his voice carefully measured. She knows she crossed a line, and I handled it. Maybe you could give her another chance. Spend some time together.
I cut him off with a bitter laugh. Td rather shave my tongue off with a cheese grater.”
His eyes harden, his jaw setting with that stubborn streak he’s bad since we were kich. “She’s trying, Alyssa.”
“Trying to do what I fire back. “See how far she can push me before I start yanking her hair out in chunks”
Gray pinches the bridge of his nose. “She’s just more..conservative than you are. If you spend more time with her, maybe you’d
“Yeah, no thanks” I cut him off, folding my arms across my chest.
His tone shifts, a little sharper. “She’s just got her own views on things, and you’re not exactly easy to get along with either. I’m just saying maybe you should try to get along with her. She’s your family now, and we don’t have anyone left but us”
There’s no way in hell I’m letting him guilt–trip me into forgiving that bitch, not when we haven’t even addressed my nightmare/memory from last night yet
Iarch a brow, crossing my arms tighter. “I think I’m good with the family I created, whether she agrees with it or not. Oh, and thanks for asking King to punish me for the shit that you and her started. His dick felt great in my ass
I know I didn’t have anal today, but I want to both piss my brother off and have an excuse as to why I have a slight limp from last night’s ass fucking.
The look on his face is fucking priceless–pure shock with a flush of anger beneath. With that. I toss my hair back and walk over to my men.
King smirks from where he stands beside Mason, shrugging at Gray. “You asked me to punish her, Prez. So that’s what I did.” Then jie looks down at me, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “You’re going to keep me in trouble aren’t you, kitten?”
I
wrap my arms around his neck, nuzzling into his throat. “Sorry, didn’t mean to throw you under the bus like that. He was pissing me off again.”
King seems completely unbothered by the way I just threatened his life as he leans down to kiss me right in front of my brother. I quickly get lost in the amazing feeling of his lips against mine, his mouth and tongue like silk
Gray clears his throat loudly, his voice rough with malice. “King, get your fucking tongue out of my sister’s mouth and let’s go.”
King chases my lips for one more kiss before slipping a small gan and holster in my pocket. “In case you need it, he says in a low voice. Then, he fits my helmet on and sets me on the back of his bike. The moment he’s seated in front of me. I lock my arms around his waist, still flinching slightly as all three bikes roar to life.
When we’re on the road, I smile. “I actually kept my eyes open this time.” I say through the Bluetooth, feeling oddly proud.
“Proud of you, kitten. You’re getting more comfortable. Soon, I’ll teach you how to drive. Then, we’ll get you your own bike.”
11:25 AM
Chapter 82
The thought makes my stomach lurch. “My own bike!”
“Oh yeah, we’ll be riding side by side one day. I can’t fucking wait”
It’s surprising, honestly–him being okay with me riding solo, given the way he acts like a possessive caveman most of the time. But the idea of navigating a big, powerful bike like this one sends excitement coursing through me.
I think I’d like that very much.
After a while, we pull up to a massive gated compound, Gray’s bike is in the front, and he speaks to a guard, who lets us in. The iron gates swing closed behind us with a resounding finality, and I feel dread settle in my stomach like a stone. There’s a chance this a trap, and we’re going to die here.
No, I push the thought away. I can’t afford to think like that. I have a daughter to
r to return home to
A towering man with an eyepatch and scars crisscrossing his face steps out as we get off the bikes, his leather jacket with the Iron Serpents patch stretching over his massive shoulders. He holds a small black bin in front of him.
“Weapons” he practically barks.
Gray scoffs, his posture te
tense as if he’d rather punch the guy than hand over his guns “Fuck that. We’re not going in enemy’s territory i
y unarmed.”
The man’s mouth twists into a hamerless smile. “This is a peaceful discussion. If it wasn’t, you’d already be dead. Now, put your weapons in the damn bin. President Bones doesn’t like to be kept waiting”
Gray stares at him for a moment before nodding at the King and Mason as he unloads his guns. King watches Mason first, like he’s gauging whether to trust the setup, then grunts as he reluctantly places his various weapons in the bin.
Guns, knives, brass knuckles. It feels like forever passes until he places a final knife from his boot into the bin.
100
The man shifts his expectant gaze to me, holding the bin a bit too close. King’s voice cuts through, low and dangerous. “Touch her and I’ll break your fucking hand. She’s good.”
I manage a neutral expression, despite the weight of the gun in my pocket. I keep my head high as we pass the guard, my heartbeat thudding loudly. If they discover that I have a gum, it could start a war. But I know King wouldn’t do anything to put me in danger
I trust him with my heart and soul.
I just hope we can all get the hell out of here in one piece.
2/2
Chapter 83
Alyssa
The building is painted in blood–red and white, its main entrance leading directly into a dimly lit Strip club. Fully naked women in heels swing from pales and dance on tabed platforms, their bodies cast in flickering lights as if they’re putting on a show just for us,
It’s unsettling. Ive never been to a sip club, and I definitely didn’t expect my first time would be here with my brother. A swirl of horror, fear, and intrigue rolls over me.
We sit at a large booths, and I scan the room, noting the shadows and corners, wondering if we’re being watched. The guard reappears, his voice gruff and annoyed. “Homes will be with you shortly”
A tense silence fills the room as we wait. Suddenly, the music changes from something sultry to “Dethrone” by Had Omens. My blood runs cold.
“Somehow, I don’t think anyone can ilance to this I think aloud, trying to talk myself out of bolting out of here “You know, I always imagined this being a song you’d request to be executed to”
“What?” Gray snaps, looking at me like I’m losing my mind.
And I definitely am. Eve found I tend to ramble when I’m nervous, and right now, my nerves are fucking fried.
“Nothing.” I say quickly, my knee bouncing fast. “I’m just trying not to freak the fuck out right now.
Cray eyes me warily before turning back to the scene in front of us. Despite the change in music, the strippers keep dancing, but it looks more like a rehearsal than anything sensual now. I catch Gray openly ogling a blonde in red stilenos, and disgust pools in my stomach at the obwinus erection in his pants.
Igrimace. “Exw, Gray. Can you have some fucking self–control please!”
He rolls his eyes. “What? I’m married, not blind.”
I suppress the urge to throw up. “Yeals, well, I thought you couldn’t even you know.”
He looks just as uncomfortable as I feel. “I didn’t say I couldn’t…it’s just complicated”
Some small, twisted part of me hopes his issues just stem from his body hating Christine as much as I do. Maybe one day, he’ll wake up and realize he could do way belter.
The minutes drag on, tension building. My leg bounces uncontrollably, and I’m practically grawing all the skin off my lip. It feels like I’m about throw up and have a panic attack all at once, kings hand settles on my thigh, his fingers squeezing just enough to pull me out of my spiral. “Relax, kitten. We’re fine.
Mason’s expression is hard as stone as he matters. “He tells us to be here on time, then makes us wait in his own damn club.”
Gray nods, casting a glance around the room. “It’s a scare tactic. He took our weapons, now he’s watching us squirm.”
Mason gives a derisive stort. “We have King with us. He could break Bones‘ neck with one hand behind his back”
“Maybe that’s what he wants to see. Gray says his voice low. “Remember, when we first met with him, he acted like King was some exotic animal in a 200. We need to be careful with this asshole, he’s after more than just Isaac. Alyssa’s the link between both him and King”
Mason’s green eyes blaze. “He won’t lay a damn finger on her”
Meanwhile, King is sitting as
as still as a fucking statue, tuning everyone and everything out, but his hand remains on my thigh.
The next song starts-“Holy” by Siamese. Two of my favorite bands in a row, songs that aren’t even popular anymore. The hair on my arms prickle.
This is gening fucking creepy.
One by one, the strippers stop dancing and slip out of the room in an eerie silence.
“Oh great I mutter, mostly to myself, my stomach plummeting. The strippers are leaving. Guess this is the part where we get executed”
Gray’s jaw ticks. “Stop”
p bring dramatic. We’ll be fine.”
I glare at him, biting back a snarl. “Like your word means anything to me right now.”
Emotion flashes in my brother’s eyes, but he doesn’t reply.
1/3
Chapter 83
Like if you told me the sky was blue. I’d still go outside and check. That’s how little I trust you, Gray”
He exhales sharply, frustration tightening his expression. “What the fuck do you want from me. Alyssa?”
I look him in the eyes. “I don’t know..maybe the truth? We’re practically strangers, Gray, I don’t even know who you are anymore. Especially after last night. You know Dad used me us a pedo appetizer, and you were just going to go the rest of your life without saying anything”
Gray grits his teeth. “First of all, it wasn’t funny the first time you said it, and it’s still not funny none,“
I’m not trying to be funny! I snap, my voice shaking with anger. “That’s what I was. Dad gave me shit, and I sat on his buddies‘ laps, getting them all hot and bothered so they could go to the basement, and I’m guessing assault other children? 1 don’t know…I can’t even remember anything else. Did Dad save me for himself or something! Is that what the big fucking reveal is? Because I know there’s more, Gray, I can even see it on your face. So what is it!“.
Gray stands up, storming over to me until he’s towering above me. I stand up, meeting his hardened gaze with defiance. I’ll never back down to any man ever again, those days are over.
His hazel eyes search mine, his voice tight. “It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you. But what if you can’t handle the fucking truth, Alyssa? What if you shut down again! What if when I look into your eyes again, they’re cold and empty, and this time…what if he can’t bring you back! I love you, Alyssa. Your daughter loves you. King loves you. Shit, the rest of the MC loves you..I hear about it all the goddamn time. So what will we all do if we lose you for good?”
The emotion in his voice, in his eyes, leave me speechless.
I don’t even know what he means. He… lost me?
Before I can even begin to fit the pieces together, a loud, sarcastic clap fills the room. Instinctively, King stands and pulls me behind him, shielding me from whoever’s there.
“War, Gray growls with disain. “What are you doing here?”
A new voice, younger and almost playful, answers, “War’s not here right now. You’re speaking to Logan.”
Logan? Why does that name so familiar?
“Why are you here?” Gray repeats.
Logan’s voice shifts, like a switch has been flipped. It turns icy, predatory. That doesn’t matter right now. What matters is the little family drama I just overheard. Think it’s time to tell her everything, don’t you?”
This guy knows too?
“Why don’t you mind your fucking business? Gray bites back, but Logan just laughs, 1 can’t explain it, but it sounds almost rehearsed.
“Hey, I’m the one with the gun here,” he says, the playful tone completely gone now, replaced with a sinister undertone. Holy shit. He has a gun? Is he pointing it at one of them “Of course, this is still a friendly meeting, as long as you stop treating Aly like she’s still a litle girl. She’s stronger than you give her credit for. Tell her
His voice grows firmer, yet there’s a slight lilt to it that sends a shiver down my spine. It’s like two people are fighting to take control of him. I hear in, but I don’t understand what’s going on at all.
“I don’t fucking answer to you!” Gray snark
“Fine. Then, I’ll start with the smaller one
My heart seizes.
He’s talking about Mason.
Panic edges into my voice. “Gray, just do what he says?
As furious as 1 am at my brother, I don’t want anything happening to him. Or to King or Mason
King growls low in his chest, and I run my fingers along his back, signaling that we need to play this safe. I know he could easily kill this Logan guy. but what if he doesn’t reach him in time? And what if Logan has others watching, ready to pull the trigger?
Login chuckles a
sagain, and this time, it sounds wrong. Like it’s coming from somewhere deep and scary inside him. “I suggest you listen to her. Now, sit the fuck down. I have the bartender bring some drinks, and you and I are going to sell her every–fucking thing from start to finish.”
Gray’s expression is a mix of anger and defeat He takes his seat first, followed by Mason, and then King, who pulls me into his lap, one arm
