Nikolai
"What do you mean Gray pointed a gun at you?" I growl, checking her over from head to toe as if an imaginary wound might reveal itself. Alyssa stumbled into the room, shaken, tears streaming down her face as she told us what went down in Gray's office. Mason's heads-up already had my stomach in fucking knots, but hearing it from her makes my rage flare.
She bites her lip, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "He didn't technically point it at me." She sniffles, wiping away a fresh tear. "He was aiming at King, and I just...kind of jumped in front of him."
Of course she did. She loves him. I would've done the same thing. But thinking about her standing in front of a gun, even if it wasn't meant for her, it's enough to make me want to put Gray through a fucking wall. I don't care what his reasons were. Putting Alyssa in danger is never okay.
"That was dangerous, little warrior," Mason comments quietly from his spot on the bed, shaking his head.
Alyssa turns to him, frowning. "I know, but my body reacted before my brain could catch up. I couldn't just stand there and let Gray hurt him because of me."
I reach out to brush her long, silky hair. The motion calms me as much as it does her, despite the fact the man that we both love is currently in danger. Part of me wants to be in that office with him right now, facing whatever wrath Gray is unleashing. But another part of me is selfishly grateful I'm here for her, that we can comfort each other.
While Zuri continues to sleep, Alyssa lowers her head into my lap, and I keep stroking her hair over and over again. Mason's hand tentatively rubs against her arm, and she doesn't pull away, accepting the comfort from both of us.
Finally, the door clicks, and King walks into the room unharmed. Well, in one piece at least. I can see a bruise beginning to form on his jaw, but I know we should be grateful he's still alive.
Alyssa is up on her feet in an instant, launching herself into King's arms. "You're okay!" she breathes, pressing desperate kisses to his lips.
King chuckles, holding her close. "All thanks to you, kitten."
Our eyes lock, filled with unspoken feelings, and I wish I could tell him that I love him, but it still doesn't feel like the right time.
Instead, I crack a smile and ask, half-teasing, "So, what's next? Gray's not going to hunt me down, is he?"
There's a part of me that feels bad we've been hiding this from him. We're supposed to be his best friends, but we've been hiding the fact that we're in a relationship with his sister. That's not something you easily walk away from unscathed.
King's expression turns serious. "We'll stick to the original plan. The club knows she's mine, and we'll keep the rest of it private."
"Our original plan will continue. The club will know she's mine, and we'll carry on our relationship in private."
Mason chimes in. "And how long do you think that'll last? Until Gray figures out what's really going on and actually kills us all?"
I can hear the strain in his voice, how much he's holding back his true feelings. I wish he would just tell Alyssa how he feels, so he can stop feeling like a fourth wheel and actually be fucking happy for once.
King shrugs. "He won't as long as we're careful," he replies calmly. Then, he plants a soft kiss on Alyssa's head. "And if our kitten here doesn't jump in front of any more guns."
Alyssa throws him a look, but there's no heat in it. "Hey, I thought he was going to kill you," she mutters.
His expression softens. "I know, baby. And I know I didn't say it earlier 'cause I was trying to get you out of there, but...I love you too. I might not know exactly what love is, I've only known violence and survival my entire life, but you make me feel shit I've never felt before. That's got to mean something."
Her face lights up. "Really?"
Without responding, he shows her just how much he loves her with his mouth. Watching them kiss makes my dick throb, and I wish i could join in, but it's their moment. We'll all have ours later.
A moment later, Alyssa turns around and kisses me as well. "I love you, Niko."
I know she's already told me that, but hearing it a second time feels just as amazing as the first time. It makes my heart race, and I can't help but grin.
"I love you too, Alyssa."
King tugs her back towards the bed, his eyes darkening as he lies down with her. I sit at the end of the bed with Mason, stroking her ankle, just needing to touch her.
"How does it feel to officially be ours, kitten?" King asks, his voice low and rough.
"So good," she murmurs, brushing her lips against his. "Would feel even better if we could celebrate properly.
I chuckle. "Yeah, it damn sure would be."
It's been almost a week since we had sex. I mean, I'm not making a big deal out of it, but my cock definitely disagrees. It's already hard enough not getting an erection around her, but now knowing that King can finally claim her for us...yeah, I might die from sexual frustration before we're able to return to King's place.
Mason stands up from the bed and heads for the door, his movements stiff. "I'll see you guys in the morning," he mutters, but there's a tightness in his voice that makes me feel like he doesn't really want to leave. He just doesn't know how he could fit in with us.
"You don't have to leave," Alyssa says, sitting up.
I grin. "Yeah, stay. We managed to find room for ourselves on this small-ass bed, I'm sure we can find a spot for you to sleep too."
Mason shakes his head, his expression neutral. "Nah, I'm good."
I raise an eyebrow. "Relax, man. We're in this all together now, right? You belong here, too."
Mason's expression flickers, caught between wanting to stay and his instinct to pull away.
"This is your chance," I wish I could tell him telepathically. "Fucking take it."
After a long moment, he mutters, "If you say so." Then, he sits back down on the edge of the bed, and Alyssa immediately reaches for him, pulling him into a hug.
"Thanks for staying," she whispers.
"Yeah, well...if it's what you want," he replies, his voice quiet, but I catch the softness in it. His hand hovers over her back before finally settling there. He closes his eyes, inhaling deeply. All the tension in his body seems to melt as he holds her.
I glance at King, and I can see he's noticed too.
We're all in love with the same girl.
Shit. How is he going to respond? He was barely okay with sharing her with me, and she's not exactly saying that she wants Mason to join us yet. Will he kick him out of the room now?
"You got something you wanna say, Mason?" King finally asks after a long, tense silence, but there's no hostility in his voice-just curiosity.
Mason tenses, his jaw tightening. "What are you talking about?"
King doesn't respond right away. Instead, he leans against the headboard, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. "You in this with us or what?"