King
I settle into the cramped tub, pulling Alyssa back against my chest, my thighs framing hers. Baths aren't my thing, but when she asked me to join, I couldn't say no. Besides, I need to make sure she's okay after what we just did.
"You're not hurt, are you?" My fingers trace a light path along her thighs, feeling the heat radiating off her silky skin.
We shouldn't have fucked her twice tonight, but when we noticed her getting wet in her sleep, none of us could hold back. Mason was curious how we fuck her together, and she seemed just as excited to show him.
"No," she murmurs. "Actually, it was better than I thought." A slight shiver runs through her, and she pauses. "I just had to remind myself that you weren't Isaac...that you weren't doing it just to hurt me. And then it started feeling incredible."
"That was the goal, kitten." I kiss the top of her head before taking a washcloth, easing into a rhythm as I wash her, letting the quiet wrap around us. This feels strange, but good-a moment of intimacy I never knew I needed, but somehow, she did.
After a while, she whispers, "We're not going to die tomorrow, right?"
A smirk tugs at my lips. "Questioning our ability to protect you again, baby girl?" I murmur against her hair. "I told you already...I won't let Bones near you. If he even tries, I'll slit his fucking throat. I'd rather we come back covered in blood than let something happen to you."
I feel her relax into me further, not a trace of fear in her body.
She trusts me.
"My turn," she says eagerly, shifting to gather soap on a cloth and gently scrub my body. Her fingers explore my tattoos, like she always does when I'm shirtless. It makes me look forward to getting her and Zuri's names inked on me.
Alyssa plants soft kisses on my chest, and I close my eyes, enjoying the warmth of her lips.
"Ever had a woman take care of you like this?" she asks, her tone light but loaded with something deeper.
"Nah. Never let 'em close enough."
She just smiles, letting my hair down and working shampoo through it, her nails scraping my scalp. A rough breath slips out of me. "Fuck...that feels good. Like those claws in my hair."
Her smile widens. "I'm glad you do."
I bet she did this with Isaac, and he still treated her like shit.
Stupid motherfucker.
"It's funny," she murmurs, rinsing my hair. "I hated the three of you for how you treated me back then...but my heart still chose you."
My fingers grip her elbows gently, halting her movement. "I'm sorry for all that, kitten."
I can't lie and say that sometimes I didn't get off on it, though. Seeing the angry tears burn in her eyes, the cat-and-mouse game we played where she hid from us at school...but we always found her. I'd beat my dick to thoughts of her every day.
She searches my face, confusion clouding her features. "I appreciate the apology, I really do. I think I've needed to hear it for a long time. But why did you guys do it in the first place?"
I guess I can tell her a piece of the truth, though I'd prefer to tell her everything, get that shit off my chest so I'll never have anything to hide from my ol' lady again. But I know if I do, I'm as good as dead. Even this little bit of information might set Gray off if she decides to confront him about it.
I hold her hands in mine, staring deeply into her eyes. "Gray wanted you to stay away from guys like us, find someone more like Isaac-or who he thought Isaac was."
Her frown deepens, eyes narrowing. "So, you were assholes to me on purpose? Because he asked you to be?"
I nod curtly. "As you know, he dropped out at 16 to take over the MC. The only reason we didn't do the same was to keep you out of trouble...by being your trouble. He figured it would stop you from getting caught up in this life."
She hums thoughtfully. "Guess his plan didn't work out too well."
I let out a low chuckle. "Not really."
Wrapping her arms around my neck, she breathes me in. My cock is hard beneath her ass, but the last thing I'm thinking about is fucking her again.
Before the conversation can shift, I know I have to lay something else on the table. I can't risk losing her. She means too damn much to me, and if she finds out what we've kept from her, she might never forget us.
"There are certain things I can't tell you. Things we've sworn to take to our graves," I hesitate, but keep my eyes on hers. "I know it makes me sound like a pussy, but I can't stand the thought of you being pissed at me again. Not like when we moved you here."
She snorts, but there's something warm in her gaze. "First, don't start with 'I know it makes me sound like a pussy' because I actually find it so incredibly sexy when you're vulnerable with me. And second, I get it. Whatever you're keeping from me, I'll be more pissed at Gray than at you guys. I promise."
Relief loosens the tension in my chest. "That's really all I can ask for, kitten."
After we finish washing up, I carry her to the bed, finding Niko gone. He went to take over for Nina, so it's just the three of us. Alyssa curls up on my chest, her breathing slowing as Mason rubs her back.
When we're sure she's asleep, I turn to Mason. "I think shit's gonna come out tomorrow."
He eyes me knowingly. "I figured as much."
He's talking more these days, thanks to Alyssa. I like it.
He's been bottled up for too long.
Still stroking her back, Mason continues in a low voice, "Bones seems to know too much. Either we missed someone in the cleanup, or he has a source. Either way, we better be ready for the truth to come out, and hope she can forgive us for keeping it quiet."
I grunt in agreement. "Kinda warned her earlier without telling her directly."
"How'd she take it?"
"Said she understands. That most of her anger will be for Gray."
"Good, he deserves it," he mutters. Then, he looks at me, a glint of emotion in his eyes. "But you do know she'll never be the same after this, right?"
That familiar weight settles in my chest again. "I'm fucking dreading it, but our girl is strong, and she has the three of us to be there for her now. We won't let her shut down like she did when she was a kid."
Mason nods. "Agreed."