Alyssa
Three days after being at the clubhouse, I feel like I'm somewhat settling in. I get along with all the guys despite the fact that the four other women who live here, aside from Nina, seem to hate me. I'm assuming King has fucked them at some point because every time he walks through the door, they swarm him like a pack of hyenas.
I'm not jealous; I knew he used to stick his dick in anything, so this isn't really a surprise. But for him to shit so close to where he eats? My stupid, stupid man.
Too bad I've already fallen in love with him, flaws and all.
I'm in the middle of telling Nina about how Zuri finally said "mama" last night when I catch that chick that tried to give her number to King walk over to Gray's table where my men are. She literally sits on the edge of it, pressing her fake boobs together and twirling her hair like she's starring in some low-budget porno.
I stop mid-sentence, narrowing my eyes at her as her hand slides onto Niko's arm. King turned her down, and now she's moving on to him?
"Oooh, she's touching your man," Nina teases, a smirk tugging at her lips.
My face heats up. "He's not my man," I mutter back, though saying that is pointless. She already seems to know about me and the guys.
"You mean, he's not your only man, right?" she says with a wink. "I'll watch Zuri. You go handle your business."
Nina reaches out her arms and Zuri practically jumps into them.
I smile, shaking my head. It seems she's won my baby's love with food.
Plastering a fake smile on my face, I walk over to the table, drawing their attention. King quickly returns his attention to his phone, pretending like he's disinterested, while Mason continues filling out whatever paperwork he's working on.
"Hey guys," I say, my voice sickly-sweet. "Niko, just letting you know it's close to Zuri's naptime if you want to be the one to put her down."
"Of course," he says, flashing me a grin as he slides out of his chair and starts making his way towards the bar where Nina is.
Fake Tits scoffs loudly. "It's like all three of them are helping her raise your daughter. Does no one else find that shit weird?"
She asks the question out loud, as if I'm not even standing right here.
Raising a brow, I reply, "Wow, thanks for your unwanted opinion. And you are?"
"Lauren. No need to introduce yourself. All the guys talk about you," she sneers, jealousy dripping in her voice. "But don't worry. That attention? It won't last more than a week. Once you're not the shiny new toy, it'll disappear."
Oh, yeah. She's definitely a bitch.
I hum softly, pretending to give her words some thought. "Well, hopefully that means they'll be giving your plastic boobs the attention they need soon again so you don't have to look so desperate anymore."
"Ohh damn," Luther calls from another table, and I catch a few of the other guys stifling laughs.
Lauren looks me up and down. "I've been wondering why Gray won't let anyone here fuck you. I heard your own husband didn't even want to touch you. What? You hiding something down there? A dick?"
"Lauren," Gray growls, his tone a warning.
But I don't need him stepping in. I've got this.
I tilt my head, keeping my voice calm. "You'd love to find out, wouldn't you? I'd probably have the only dick you haven't jumped on in here."
Her face turns beet-red, but she doesn't stop there. "It's King you want, isn't it? I've seen the way you look at him. It must burn you up inside that I've fucked him and you never will."
I just smile at her. "Sure, if that makes you feel better."
"Lauren, knock it the fuck off or get out," Gray snaps, and his voice cuts through the entire room, making the entire downstairs area fall silent.
Lauren pouts, her tone shifting in this high-pitched whine that makes me want to punch her. "I'm sorry, Prez. You're right, I should be nicer to Alyssa. After all, we're practically roommates now, right?" She gives me one last venomous smile before walking away.
Thankfully, everyone returns to their own conversations. But Gray's eyes lock with mine, frustration written all over his face. "Alyssa, what the hell was that?"
I shrug. "What? She started it."
"Gray sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Can you not start shit with people here? I wouldn't want to have to kick her out of the club because you started something you can't finish."
"Oh, I could finish it. But I don't look good in orange and my princess needs me."
Gray abruptly stands up, tugging on my elbow. "We need to talk. In my office. Now."
Oh, shit.
I swallow hard, avoiding eye contact with the guys as I follow him past the bar. The weight of all their stares presses uncomfortably against my back. Nina gives me a sympathetic nod, probably already guessing where this is going. I already know where this conversation is going, too.
Fake Tits and her big-ass mouth.
When we reach his office, he shuts the door with a sharp click and leans against the edge of his desk, his arms crossed. He doesn't seem as intense as he usually is; it's almost like he's hiding something from me. I can almost see the guilt in his eyes, but after pouring himself a drink, his gaze hardens.
I stand by the door, playing it cool, but my insides are seriously in fucking knots. "Got any more videos of Isaac to show me?" I joke, attempting to mask my nervousness.
Gray stays calm, raising a demanding brow. "What was that bullshit Lauren said back there? Do you like King?"
My stomach drops. I keep my face blank, ignoring the sudden heat prickling at the back of my neck. "What did you ask me?" I scoff, forcing a laugh. "Do I like King? Out of all the guys here, why do you keep making assumptions that he's the one I would choose? Seriously, Gray, how many times are you going to ask me this?"
He narrows his eyes, and I can tell he's not buying it. "Until you admit the truth, Alyssa. You fucking like him, and you're doing a shitty job at hiding it."
I can hear my blood pounding in my ears.
No, he's bluffing. Because I'm pretty sure I look at all of them the same way.
"I think you sound just as delusional as Fake Tits down there did," I retort, raising my chin.
I can't even believe we're having this conversation so soon. Fuck Lauren for bringing it up.
And fuck King for ever sticking his dick inside her in the first place.
Gray just stares at me, the silence between us growing thick. I feel like I'm being cornered, and part me of me wants to snap, but I don't want to act too defensive. I'll look even more guilty.
He finally speaks again, his voice low and accusing. "Is this why you want to go back to his place after we deal with this whole Bones and Isaac situation? You really think King's going to give you a chance? You're only setting yourself up to get hurt again, Alyssa. And that's not me being an asshole. I'm looking out for you as your older brother."
I choose my next words carefully. One wrong move, and I could get King killed.
"If I am interested in him, are you going to stand in my way or let me learn my own lesson?"
Gray's jaw tightens. "So, you are interested?"
I shrug like I'm not helplessly in love with the man we're talking about. "I mean, I'm not going to lie and say he's not attractive. And I'm separated now, days from being a widow. What if I did see myself...having fun with him?"
Gray throws back his drink. "Then, I'd tell you you're being stupid. King's not going to give you what you want, Alyssa. He's going to sleep with you and toss you aside, he doesn't even sleep with the same woman twice. You're only going to catch feelings and get hurt."
He says it like it's a fact, but little does he know I've slept with King more times than I can count, and he doesn't plan on going anywhere.
"But shouldn't that be my choice?" I challenge, meeting my brother's gaze.
Seriously, if he keeps taking away my free will, I'll be asking him which way to wipe my own ass soon.
"It is," Gray says, his tone turning cold. "But if he hurts you, I'll have no choice but to kill my own brother. Are you willing to live with that on your fucking conscious?"
My lips part, and the words slip out before I can stop them. "Yes," I answer, my heart racing with conviction.
Only because I know King wouldn't hurt me-neither will Niko or Mason.
Gray lets out a harsh sigh, pouring himself another drink. "Fine. Tell King to bring his ass in here. We need to have a talk."
My stomach churns.
Fuck.
I know this conversation with King will change everything.
Not just for me and him, but for all of us.