Chapter 98
Alyssa
“Um, I didn’t know we were bringing the entire club with us.” I mutter, glancing out the backseat window at the long procession of bikers roaring
behind us,
“It’s for your protection, King replies, his hand flexing on the steering wheel.
“Plus, they don’t mind,” Niko adds from the passenger seat, turning to flash me a reassuring smile. “Gray wanted to prep some of the prospects for tomorrow’s charity ride anyway?”
I just nod, forcing my attention to the bouquet of pink nulips resting in my lap. My chest is so tight, it feels like I can hardly breathe. I can’t believe I’m finally going to visit my mom’s grave. I know it wasn’t my fault I couldn’t be there before she passed, but I’ve been in town for months now. No
more excuses.
I smile sadly to myself. Besides, I’ll be meeting her again soon enough. It’ll be nice to see where we’ll be resting eternally together.
Mason reaches over and grabs my free hand, his thumb brushing soothing circles against my skin. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice gentle,
1 laugh nervously, gripping the flowers. “Just wondering if she’ll be upset that her housewarming gift is three years late. They were her favorite, and I can’t help but think of how she used to arrange them on the windowsill like they were works of art.
The
insisted on going into the flower shop with me, hovering as I picked them out. They’re always too good for me, better than 1 deserve, and that thought sits like a ph in the center of my stomach.
Niko snarts, his tone light but teasing, snapping me from my thoughts. “The jokes you make when you’re uncomfortable are adorable. Almost makes me not wanna cringe
“Hey, cut me some slack, Niko, I haven’t cussed you out yet for sneaking prenatal vitamins in my smoothies,” I quip, narrowing my eyes at him.
His head snaps toward Mason, the betrayal clear on his face. “Mace, dad you tell her?”
“No,” Mason replies dryly
So he knew too? Ugh, what am I going to do with them?
“He didn’t have to, I point out. They taste disgusting no matter what you mix them with.” I knew after the first day when I was burping up iron, but honestly, I can’t blame them for caring. They just care too much, and I don’t want to break their hearts when the inevitable happens.
Niko’s quiet for a beat before murmuring sweetly, I’m sorry, sweet girl. Please forgive me?”
I sigh. Im not exactly mad at you,” I admit. “But you will be punished later
He curses under his breath. “You’re gonna punish me?” He sounds torn between shock and arousal, and my lips twitch. I definitely need to punish him. I just don’t know exactly how yet.
Mason chuckles, low and amused. “Oh, how the tables have turned.”
“I’m not worried, Niko retorts, but there’s a waver in his voice that makes me sicker
“Really! You don’t sound so sure of yourself. I tease, lifting a brow.
“Is she allowed to do that?” Niko asks King.
King shrugs. “You did earn it. Take your consequences like a good boy!”
It’s not like I needed his permission, but the solidarity’s appreciated
“I’m punishing you too, Mace,” I say, tilting my head in his direction. “You knew and didn’t tell me.”
Mason scoffs. “Great. Look what you’ve done, Niko
“I think you created a monster the other night, Niko,” King teases, his deep voice holding a smirk. “Can’t be and say I’m not looking forward to seeing what she comes up with, though”
“Of course you are,” Niko muters, sounding like a brat. “You’re not the one being punished”
The banter dies when we pass a familiar iron gate, and my stomach sinks,
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Chapter 98
“Uh, didn’t we just miss the cemetery?” I ask, frowning.
King’s eyes clash with mine in the rearview mirror. “She’s somewhere a little more private.
Oh. I didn’t know that.
Feeling stupid, I sit quietly as we continue down a narrowed road bordered by trees. The barrier ahead comes into view, and Gray is already waiting there, leaning against it in a navy–blue three piece suit. His expression is guarded, and I get the feeling he’s not in a good mood.
“I thought he wasn’t coming?” I ask, confusion coloring my words
Niko said he was busy with Christine, and I was perfectly okay with that. I just needed my men for emotional support, but I get that extra protection makes sense.
Niko shrugs. “I guess he changed his mind.”
But why? I know I’m not more important than trying to procreate with his wife.
As Gray moves to unlock the barrier, a foul stench fills the car. I turn to find Zuri in her carseat, her face scrunched in concentration as she delivers what promises to be a truly vile diaper. I instinctively stop breathing through my nose
“Oh, God! Zuri? Niko exclaims, frantically rolling down his window.
Mason coughs, doing the same.
“What the hell did you guys feed her today?” King grumbles, lowering his window,
I laugh. “Stinky princess”
She giggles with me, the sound angelic despite the bomb she just dropped.
“We’ll change her, Niko offers, practically bolting out the car. “We’ll meet you and King there.”
I hesitate for a moment, pressing a kiss to Zuri’s head. “Niko’s going to change your stinky butt, okay?
I tell her
Mason steps out as well, but not before pressing a kiss to my temple. “It’s going to be okay he murmurs, his green eyes calm and steady.
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat as I climb out. King’s hand rests on the small of my back as we walk towards Gray, who’s watching us with a dark expression. I glance back to see the rest of the bikers lingering by their bikes, talking among themselves like it’s just another day
“Don’t worry, it’s just gonna be us; Gray says, his voice flat but his
but his stormy
y eyes reveal something deeper. Something’s off with him, but what is it
Without another word, he starts down the gravel path and King and I follow. “Where are we going?” I ask hesitantly.
“This is where we bury our fallers members” he says gruffly. “I bought this land after Dad died. Didn’t want Mom or anyone else near that bastard”
My breath catches. ‘Did she know about him!”
Gray’s jaw ticks. “No” His voice is clipped, and I don’t dare press further,
I guess that’s topic for another time. Besides, I figured she didn’t. Heating just how disgusting a monster her husband was would ye killed her a lot
The path opens into a clearing surrounded by trees, and I’m struck by how beautiful and peaceful it is. A meadow of wildflowers arches out in soft pinks, purples, and yellows, and rows of headstones dot the landscape.
Gray stops abruptly and spins to face me, his emotions flipping like a switch. “Tell me, Alyssa. Why did you want to come here today? Why now! Do you have some kind of kink for torturing yourself or some shit?”
Heat rises to my face as I open my mouth, but King steps in front of me, shielding me with his towering frame. “Prez,” he says, his voice low, controlled, and undoubtedly filled with malice. “I love and respect you, but if you ever raise your voice at my woman again, I’ll slit your throat
Gray’s eyes narrow dangerously. “Did you just threaten me?”
King tilts his head slightly, his expression cold as ice. “You know I don’t believe in making threats I don’t follow through with.”
The tension between them grows thick enough to choke on, and before shit gets out of hand, I lower the bouquet to the ground and step between them. I shove at the immovable walls of muscle, making no progress in pushing them apart.
“Um, excuse me?” I snap, my frustration boiling over. “We’re here to see Mom, not do whatever this shit is.”
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Chapter 98
Neither of them even flinches. King’s eyes are locked on Gray with a chilling, lethal intensity, his body coiled tight like a snake ready to strike. Cray doesn’t back down either, his hands twitching at his sides, chaos warring in his o cyck
“Put the testosterone away for one fucking minute!” I shout, glaring between them.
Still, no reaction. It’s like I’m not even here.
I grab Gray’s hand, my arm nearly yanked from its socket when he doesn’t budge. My stomach knots as I glance at King, whose gaze hasn’t wavered His eyes are glossy, dark, and scary as shit, and for the first time, I feel a pang of fear. Not for me, but for my brother.
He wouldn’t really hurt him, would he!
But I can’t just wait to find out.
*King, stop!” I plead, my voice cracking. I press a hand to his chest, which doesn’t do shit, before sliding my fingers up to cup his face. Look at me. baby!”
His eyes soften
ten as they snap to mine, the dangerous edge slipping away. Tm sorry, kitten. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he murmurs, pulling me into
Relief floods through me as I glance back to see Niko and Mason approaching. Zuri cradled in Niko’s arms
“Hey, whard we miss?” Niko asks, his brow furrowing as he glances between the two men behind me who were just seconds away from either seriously hurting or killing each other.
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