Chapter 109
Alysu
The sight of Isaac sends an icy chill racing through me, like shards of glass piercing my skin. It feels like I can’t fucking breathe, and I instinctively step closer to King, clutching his jacket like it’s the only thing keeping me upright. His body stiffens in response, a dark energy rising within him as he positions himself in front of me, shielding me from my husband’s view.
Niko and War shift, their bodies taut with the same protective force radiating off King. After sending Christine inside with two of his men. Gray’s voice cuts cold as steel as he addresses the police, “What can we help you with, officers?”
Agrizzled, older man with a stoic face steps forward, his hand resting on the holster of his gun. His eyes flicker nervously between us. “Mr. Carter requested a civil escort to speak with his wife
Wife. The word twists in my gut, making me want to vomit again. I shake my head, forcing my voice to steady. I’m not his wife anymore.”
“Wrong. We’re still legally married.” Isaac’s smooth, venomous tone seeps under my skin, sending shivers down my spine. He adjusts the cufflinks of his black tailored suit with a snugness that churns my stomach. “And we have matters to settle, sweetheart. Or did you really believe running away solved anything”
King’s growl rumbles low, a sound so raw, so full of fury that I’m surprised Isaac doesn’t drop dead from the sheer malice alone. The officers twitch. some of them reaching for their holsters like they’re ready to put down a wild animal.
My heart leaps into my throat, dread pooling in my stomach.
They could hurt him. Because of me
“Fuck that You dont talk to her. You don’t even look at her King snarls, his body vibrating his volatile rage
“Officers, give us a moment” Gray interjects, motioning for us to step aside. Even out of Isaac’s earshot, I can still feel the hatred in his stare. Gray’s eyes shift to me, his expression unreadable. Right now, as the leader of the Crimson Reapers, his focus is undoubtedly on what’s best for the club. He’s likely trying to figure out the quickest way to deescalate this
“First off, your husband’s a fucking bitch Gray’s lips curl with disdain before he pinches the bridge of his nose. “But he’s playing it smart, taking the legal route. If we lay a finger on him right now, we’re the ones in the wrong. And these cops? They’re just waiting for a reason to take us down. We can’t give them one. His frustration mixes with grim reality, the weight of the situation settling in “Which brings me to my next point… Niko, get King inside. He’s a liability. One wrong move, and he’s either in cuffs or dead”
No. I need King here. I can’t face Isaac without him.
Gray catches the panic on my face, his expression softening with sympathy. “Alyssa, he hasn’t taken his eyes off Isaac since he stepped out of that fucking car. I doubt he’s even heard a word we’ve said since.”
I glance up. Gray’s right. King’s eyes burn into Isaac, as if he’s already fantasizing about slicing his throat open. working, calculating the fastest way to tear through the distance between them.
I can practically feel his mind
Niko and I exchange a look, and I swallow the lump rising in my throat. I realize now Niko has to stay with King to stop him from doing something reckless, and with Mason protecting Zuri, I have to face Isaac alone. Without
my men
That leaves Gray and War to be my shields, I also spot Nina, Luther, and a few others still lingering
g by th
their bikes just in case Gray needs backup. The gun in my pocket suddenly feels heavier now, a cold reminder that I can protect myself if needed, in case base somehow got me alone.
“You’ve got her?” Niko asks, his expression torn between several emotions.
Gray nods, his gaze flickering between us. I’ve got her.”
I look at bac, then back at King, whose still glaring at him. Every muscle is colled, toxic fury continuing to seep out of him. Although Isaac deserves every second of whatever violent thoughts King is having. I can’t allow him to throw himself in front of this metaphorical bullet for me.
“King” I say hmly, uncurling one of his clenched fists and placing it on my belly. “Look at me.”
His eyes, wild and unfocused, snap to where his hand rests before meeting mine. The bloodlust simmering in his gaze is like staring into the heart of a storm–dangerous, consuming. My heart swells because I know what drives him love. It might be intense and a little obsessive, but it’s love all
The lathe
I need you, King. We can’t raise this baby together if you get yourself arrested or killed today, I say, my voice trembling despite my resolve. “Let me handle this, okay?”
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Chapter 109
His eyes blaze hotter, his nostrils flaring, but I don’t back down. I press my other hand over his. “Please, Daddy!”
Something shifts in his eyes. The storm doesn’t break, but it pulls back enough to reveal the man I love beneath. His hand slides to my throat, not rough, but firm–possessive, grounding. He drags me close and crushes his lips to mine.
The kiss is deep, consuming, and leaves no room for doubt–he’s staking his claim, making damn sure Isaac knows exactly who I belong to, even if it means making out with me right in front of my brother.
Not that he’s shy about doing that anyway.
When he pulls away, his voice is rough, commanding. “Come back to me, kitten. I’m not fucking playin
“I know, I promise,” I whisper, nuzzling my face against his one last time.
We’ll be okay. Everything will be okay, I chant in my head.
Niko reaches for King’s arm, but King jerks away with a snarl. “Don’t fucking touch me right now,” Niko doesn’t flinch or take it personally—he’s used to this. Besides, I’m sure he’s already thinking of a way to keep King distracted while I deal with Isaac.
As they walk away, I can tell King wants to go back for me–I can see it in the twitch of his muscles, but thankfully, he doesn’t. He knows it’s better this way. Safer
When the door shuts behind them, Gray turns to War, tension enched into his features. “You need to go in too, or can you actually control yourself?” War shrugs, but hit signature assholery is gone, his posture relaxing just slightly. “As long as he keeps his hands to himself”
I instantly recognize it’s not War talking anymore–Logan’s in control. His grey eyes meet mine, and the intensity that had been there before melts into something warmer, a kind of warmth War couldn’t fake even if his life depended on it
“Ive got your back, angel Logan says, his voice steady and reassuring
1 give him a small smile and take a deep breath, steeling myself to face my biggest enemy–my husband. No matter what happens today, I know I’m not just giving up and letting ac have what he wants. Because now, as I look at him, I don’t see a monster. I see a fucking coward.
Honestly, I’m just embarrassed I ever married him. I let him abuse me for three
on me with men I spoke to frequently, ones that knew very well they had theirs. Then I was forced to watch multiple videos of him cheating
in my husband’s mouth the night prior.
And now, he’s here hiding behind the police, knowing it’s the only thing keeping him alive.
Seriously, what the fuck was I thinking?
Resolve hardens in my bones. I realize Tar’s power only holds the weight I let it. He thrived on fear and control, but I’ve found something stronger: freedom, love, and the courage to finally fight back.
He won’t win today. Not ever again. The woman he thought he could break forever is long gone, replaced by one that’s going to make him pay for all the trauma he’s made me endure.
With Gray and Logan flanking me, enough space between us so they can’t hear the conversation. I approach Isaac, my pulse thundering in my ears “Sweetheart,” Isaac sneers, the word dripping with condescension.
I lift my chin, my eyes clashing with his. “Hello, husband”
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