King
Alyssa runs back into the room, her eyes wide with panic. When her eyes find mine, she bursts into tears. Without thinking, I'm up from the table, wrapping her in my arms. I don't give a fuck that we have an audience. My girl needs me.
"What's wrong, kitten?" I murmur, stroking her hair as she shakes in my grip.
"He knows, King." Her voice cracks as she buries her face in my chest. "He wants you in his office...and he's probably going to hurt you. I'm so sorry."
I figured this was coming. After the stupid shit Lauren said earlier, it was only a matter of time before Gray connected the dots. I'd always known that one day I would have to face the music for touching his sister. Well, it's time.
Mason stands up, his face a mask of calm despite the hint of worry in his eyes. "Need backup?"
I shake my head. "No point. If he's gonna kill me, he's gonna kill me whether anyone is there or not. Just text Niko, let him know what's up."
Mason nods, and I pull Alyssa with me toward the elevator. Her hand is shaking in mine, and I stop once we're inside, cupping her face and kissing her like it's the last time I might get the chance. Because it just might be.
When I pull away, her eyes are still glossy with tears. I hate seeing her like this, even if I know it's because her brother might kill me in a few minutes.
"Everything's gonna be okay," I tell her, even though I'm lying through my teeth. But she needs to believe it-needs to believe that no matter what happens, she'll be safe. Even if I don't make it out of Gray's office, she still has Niko and Mason. They'll take care of her and Zuri.
I kiss her one more time before leaving her in the hallway and stepping into Gray's office. Before I even get the chance to sit down, he's got a gun pointed at my head. He doesn't say anything at first, just stands there with the muzzle pressed against my forehead. His anger is like a physical fucking force, but I don't flinch. This isn't the first time something like this has happened to me.
"How long have you been fucking my sister?" Gray asks, his voice low, deadly.
I knew it was coming, but still, it grates on my nerves. Alyssa wouldn't have told him anything like that, or I wouldn't still be standing here. I play dumb.
"What are you talking about, Prez?" I drawl, leaning back a little, like the gun doesn't bother me. "I haven't touched her."
"The lies end now." He shoves the barrel harder into my skull, but I still don't give him a reaction.
"What makes you believe I'm lying?" I ask, sounding bored.
I've been interrogated by the police enough to know when someone doesn't have any evidence and they're just grasping at straws.
Gray glares at me. "At the strip club last night, you didn't even look at another woman. I was wondering what the hell was going on with you, until everything just clicked. And I just realized Alyssa lied to my fucking face for you."
I stare at him, unblinking. "You got proof, or can I leave now?"
"Oh, I'll get proof. I'm going to call Alyssa back in here and we're not leaving this room until I get the truth out of both of you."
After he texts her, Alyssa walks back in a minute later, her face pale as she avoids making eye contact with me.
Like that will make us look any less guilty.
"What do you want, Gray?" Her voice wavers but holds strong. "I told you nothing happened between us yet."
His hum is low, ominous. "Yeah, I don't believe that shit anymore."
Her tone sharpens. "Why?"
Gray's eyes flicker to me, and in an instant, he raises his gun again. But before I can do anything, Alyssa moves, putting herself between me and the weapon.
Fuck.
I jump up from the chair, my heart slamming in my chest. "What are you doing, kitten?" I hiss, pulling her behind me, away from Gray's aim.
Gray clicks his tongue. "If that isn't the most incriminating evidence I've ever fucking seen."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Alyssa snaps. But I know exactly what he's talking about. He did that on purpose, but it's not like she knew she was falling right into his trap.
"You jumped in front of a gun, Alyssa. You were willing to take a bullet for him. You have some magic dick or something, asshole? I'm not even sure Christine would do something like that for me."
Of course she wouldn't. She wouldn't even risk the chance of getting her designer clothes wet to jump in and save him from drowning.
But my girl....my beautiful, perfect kitten jumped in front of a gun. For me.
Fuck. If I manage to get out of this alive, I'm claiming her tonight.
Just like the way she just claimed me in front of her brother.
Alyssa squares her shoulders. "Fine. We've slept together. But it's not just about sex...whether you want to believe it or not. I love him, Gray."
I freeze, my heart hammering as her words hit me harder than Gray's bullet would have.
Love.
She's in love with me?
My throat tightens. "What did you just say?"
Her eyes soften as she looks at me. "I'm in love with you, King." And then subtly, her eyes flicker to the door, including Niko in her confession.
She loves us both.
I can barely breathe. I want to kiss her so fucking badly, claim her right here. But Gray's still standing there, gun in hand, and I' not about to push my luck.
I cup her cheek, my thumb brushing over her soft skin. "Kitten, wait outside."
"I'm not letting him take you away from us," she whispers fiercely.
"I know," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead before gently pushing her towards the door. She hesitates but obeys, and I look the door behind her.
I barely have time to brace myself before Gray's fist slams into my jaw. I grunt, but keep my expression neutral. "Feel better?" I grit between clenched teeth.
Fuck, he's got one hell of a right hook. But that was the only time I'm going to allow him to punch me. The next time, I'm blocking, or putting him on his ass.
His nostrils flare, and for a second, I think he's going to try to hit me again. But then he steps back, breathing hard. "No, I don't feel better, you asshole. You betrayed me. Fucked my sister, brainwashed her. I should fucking kill you right now."
I tilt my head, ignoring the throbbing in my jaw. "But you won't...because?"
His teeth grind together. "Because you're my brother. And unlike you, loyalty still means something to me. Niko and Mason aren't off the hook either. I know they knew."
Anger rises within me. Yeah, he just found out but I've been with his sister behind his back, but other than that, I've always done everything he's asked of me.
"The secret you've kept from her? None of us have told her anything. You question my loyalty, but do you know how hard it was letting your mom die never knowing what kind of monster your father was? How it kills me that Alyssa thinks her parents were in this picture-perfect marriage? That it's probably the reason she stayed with that son-of-a-bitch so long?"
But no matter what, I'll keep the promise that me, Niko, and Mason made to him nearly a decade ago. He'll be the one to tell her...whenever his fucking balls finally drop.
Gray's eyes narrow, fury warring with something else. Guilt, maybe. He's torn between wanting to kill me and knowing he can't.
"Are you going to claim her?" His voice is rough, the words being dragged out of him like they hurt to say.
"If she's ready," I answer evenly.
He gives me a curt nod. "I won't stand in your way then."
I nod back, stepping towards the door, not stupid enough to turn my back to him. One punch was enough, I don't need a bullet in my back.
Before I can reach the handle, his voice stops me. "Oh, and King?"
I arch an eyebrow. "What's up?"
His eyes are hard, his expression lethal. "Hurt my sister, and I really will kill you."
My lips twitch. "I know."