Chapter 49
King
“Niko,” I groan, hearing Zuri cry through the baby monitor on the dresser. It’s only been a few hours since we passed out, but that’s what happens when you spend all night fucking.
“I got it.” Alyssa mumbles against my chest, her voice starred with sleep. But her body says otherwise. She’s already snoring again.
Niko and I share a quiet chuckle. We really wore her out last night, but I could tell she loved every second of it.
“Nee–koo, Zuri screams louder.
“Looks like I’ve been summoned,” Niko mutters, throwing his clothes on. “She’s hungry for a borde.”
The man’s a natural, despite his fucked–up upbringing. It’s only been a month, but he already knows her routine like the back of his hand. Fuck I need to step up. Myssa and Zuri come as a packaged deal, and if I want this work, I can’t leave all the baby stuff to Niko. I’ve got to do my part ton.
Yeah, Zuri isn’t mine by blood, but blood doesn’t mean shit to me. I’ll raise her like she is. Alyssa didn’t give me a chance to breed her first but Err claiming them both. And once this shitstorm calm down, I’m gonna put a baby in her tox
I’ll be the father I never had. A father Isaac could only dream of being
Planting a kiss on Alyssa’s forehead, I slip out from under her and find Niko downstairs on the couch, feeding Zuri a boude
Niko glances up at me with a hint of surprise, “You could’ve slept in a little longer, he murmurs as I sit in my chair.
I grint, crossing my arms. “Tim good. And we need to talk about last night before Gray starts blowing up your phone”
Lean through the details of hour Mason and 1 tortured that fucker for intel before I put him out of his misery. Bones is pushing closer in our sending in spies like he’s planning something big.
1 les Gray know before coming home last night, and of course, he wants to deescalate the tension before we even consider war with them. Like Bones is actually fucking capable of reason. I’ve seen them in action. The Iron Serpents are fucking thugs, bug that need to be squashert.
Bus Gray is the President: 111 argue with him on anything when it comes to Alyssa, but club busness? That’s his shit to deal with Ill jur do what I’m jold. We’re meeting him at the clubhouse this morning to figure out our next move. Maioris probably on his way over now, so we’ll head out as soon as he gris here to watch the girl.
When I finish, Niko’s expression is tense “Fuck, he growls, then looks down at Zuri. “Sorry, princess. You shouldn’t have heard that?
He picks up a toy drum from the flour, placing in her tap “Can you play me a song, pretty girl?” He taps on it lightly and shows her how. Zuri giceles, smacking the toy with her tiny hauls,
“A turf war means Gray’s gonna fight harder to take them away he musters without looking up at me.
“And we’ll keep reminding him that we won’t allow that to happen,” I reply, my voice cold. “Sance we’re all sharing my bed. Mason can move into the garsi bedroom for now That way, they’ll continue to have protection, even when we’re tied up dealing with Bones and has thugs.”
That’s Mason’s specialty–firing into any role, handling shit when we need him to.
“Speaking of Mace” But his phone buzzes, ruiting him off. He pulls it out, glances at the screen, and immediately answers. “What’s up. Pres?” HE face darkens as he stands, walking into the office to take the call, leaving me alone with Zur.
I take Nike’s spot on the couch, warching her bang away on the drum. She looks up at me, clenching her fists and shaking them. Alyssa’s been teaching her more sign language, I think dat means “pby.
“You want me to play with you?” I ask, mirroring the gesture with my thumbs and pinking extended. I feel fucking stupid, but I’m impressed with how much she can communicate like this
Zuri sanilex, her little face lighting up. and it makes my chest tighten. I’m definitely not her “Nee–koo, but I think she likes me a little. Sometimes.
I tap the drum once, and “Ban Bas Black Sheep starts playing. God, how kids like this shit. But for her, I’ll endure this torture. I’m gonna try to build a relationship with her. She deserves better.
Zuri places her hands over mine, grabbing onto my fingers like she wants me to keep going. “Look, lid, I’m trying.” I chuckle warmly. “But if you want me to sing to you or something, that’s not happening I don’t sing
Thankfully,
she seems content with me just Epping on the drum with her.
A few minutes later, Niko storms back in, looking pissed. “Gray wants us to bring them to the clubhouse.”
grunt, considering it. Gray’s got his own agenda, no doubt about that. But this might work to our advantage. Gray’s been hiding shit from Alyssa
1/2
Chapter 49.
since they were kids–is would be a damn shame if someone else spills his dirty secrets while we’re there.
“Fine,”
“Fine!” Niko raises a brow, his voice edged with disbelief.
sa that I wouldn’t hide the life we live from her. If she’s with us, she’s with us, and that means the clubhouse is her second home. Zuri’s
Told Alyssa t
“But we can
we can’t openly clum ber
That’s fine. She’s Gray’s sister. They’ll keep their distance. Gray has threatened them enough, they know she’s off–limits?
He snorts. “We sure as hell didn’t listen.
“Yeah, well, she’s been ours for a long time, and once this tension with the Trom Serpents dies down, or we wipe them all out, we’re going to tell Gray the truth. No more hiding
We re too grown for this shit, anyway
Niko nods, a smirk curling on his lips. “You’re right. For now, we’re her big brothers, protecting our line sister from the big bad wolves”
Thum in agreement. “And then well devour her ourselves later. Rising from the couch, I say, “Go wake our kitten. I’ll get Zari dressed.”
He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You’re gonna dress her?
Iro my eyes. “How hard can it be? She’s a baby”
Sangh
1f1 can’t dress an eight–month–old, I’ll just write “stupid” on my forehead
He laughs, shaking his head. “Okay, juu ell me if you need help
She’s like a little alligator”
“I said I’ll handle it,” I muner, glaring at him as be continues laughing up the stains.
1 Jurs to Zuri. “Up” I say to her, and the instantly reaches for me. I scoop her into my arms, and start making my way upstairs to her roors
Yeals today’s gonna be real interesting.
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