Alyssa
After a restless nap, I spend the rest of the day with Zuri, clinging to every second as if it might be our last. I know King and Mason will protect me, but the lingering dread feels like a dark cloud I can't shake. There's a heaviness in my chest as I try to keep a smile on my face for Zuri's sake, watching her laugh and play.
After kissing both her and Niko goodbye, King, Mason, and I find Gray outside, leaning against his bike with his arms crossed tightly over his chest, like he's trying to hold himself together. His gaze is locked on me as we approach.
"Alyssa," he says, his tone clipped.
I give him the middle finger. "Kiss my ass, Gray."
He lets out a long, controlled sigh, his eyes darting to King, who presses a warm kiss to the back of my head. "I'll give you some space," King murmurs, but I grip his arm, reluctant to let him go.
"You don't have to. I don't want to talk to him."
Gray's face tightens. "Alyssa, we need to talk. Now."
I narrow my eyes as King steps back, moving to where Mason is.
"What the hell do you want, Gray?" I snap.
"To apologize on Christine's behalf," he says, his voice carefully measured. "She knows she crossed a line, and I handled it. Maybe...you could give her another chance. Spend some time together."
I cut him off with a bitter laugh. "I'd rather shave my tongue off with a cheese grater."
His eyes harden, his jaw setting with that stubborn streak he's had since we were kids. "She's trying, Alyssa."
"Trying to do what?" I fire back. "See how far she can push me before I start yanking her hair out in chunks?"
Gray pinches the bridge of his nose. "She's just more...conservative than you are. If you spend more time with her, maybe you'd-"
"Yeah, no thanks," I cut him off, folding my arms across my chest.
His tone shifts, a little sharper. "She's just got her own views on things, and you're not exactly easy to get along with either. I'm just saying maybe you should try to get along with her. She's your family now, and we don't have anyone left but us."
There's no way in hell I'm letting him guilt-trip me into forgiving that bitch, not when we haven't even addressed my nightmare/memory from last night yet.
I arch a brow, crossing my arms tighter. "I think I'm good with the family I created, whether she agrees with it or not. Oh, and thanks for asking King to punish me for the shit that you and her started. His dick felt great in my ass."
I know I didn't have anal today, but I want to both piss my brother off and have an excuse as to why I have a slight limp from last night's ass fucking.
The look on his face is fucking priceless-pure shock with a flush of anger beneath. With that, I toss my hair back and walk over to my men.
King smirks from where he stands beside Mason, shrugging at Gray. "You asked me to punish her, Prez. So that's what I did." Then, he looks down at me, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You're going to keep me in trouble aren't you, kitten?"
I wrap my arms around his neck, nuzzling into his throat. "Sorry, didn't mean to throw you under the bus like that. He was pissing me off again."
King seems completely unbothered by the way I just threatened his life as he leans down to kiss me right in front of my brother. I quickly get lost in the amazing feeling of his lips against mine, his mouth and tongue like silk.
Gray clears his throat loudly, his voice rough with malice. "King, get your fucking tongue out of my sister's mouth and let's go."
King chases my lips for one more kiss before slipping a small gun and holster in my pocket. "In case you need it," he says in a low voice. Then, he fits my helmet on and sets me on the back of his bike. The moment he's seated in front of me, I lock my arms around his waist, still flinching slightly as all three bikes roar to life.
When we're on the road, I smile. "I actually kept my eyes open this time," I say through the Bluetooth, feeling oddly proud.
"Proud of you, kitten. You're getting more comfortable. Soon, I'll teach you how to drive. Then, we'll get you your own bike."
The thought makes my stomach flutter. "My own bike?"
"Oh yeah, we'll be riding side by side one day. I can't fucking wait."
It's surprising, honestly-him being okay with me riding solo, given the way he acts like a possessive caveman most of the time. But the idea of navigating a big, powerful bike like this one sends excitement coursing through me.
I think I'd like that very much.
After a while, we pull up to a massive gated compound. Gray's bike is in the front, and he speaks to a guard, who lets us in. The iron gates swing closed behind us with a resounding finality, and I feel dread settle in my stomach like a stone. There's a chance this a trap, and we're going to die here.
No, I push the thought away. I can't afford to think like that. I have a daughter to return home to.
A towering man with an eyepatch and scars crisscrossing his face steps out as we get off the bikes, his leather jacket with the Iron Serpents patch stretching over his massive shoulders. He holds a small black bin in front of him.
"Weapons," he practically barks.
Gray scoffs, his posture tense as if he'd rather punch the guy than hand over his guns. "Fuck that. We're not going in enemy's territory unarmed."
The man's mouth twists into a humorless smile. "This is a peaceful discussion. If it wasn't, you'd already be dead. Now, put your weapons in the damn bin. President Bones doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Gray stares at him for a moment before nodding at the King and Mason as he unloads his guns. King watches Mason first, like he's gauging whether to trust the setup, then grunts as he reluctantly places his various weapons in the bin.
Guns, knives, brass knuckles. It feels like forever passes until he places a final knife from his boot into the bin.
The man shifts his expectant gaze to me, holding the bin a bit too close. King's voice cuts through, low and dangerous. "Touch her and I'll break your fucking hand. She's good."
I manage a neutral expression, despite the weight of the gun in my pocket. I keep my head high as we pass the guard, my heartbeat thudding loudly. If they discover that I have a gun, it could start a war. But I know King wouldn't do anything to put me in danger.
I trust him with my heart and soul.
I just hope we can all get the hell out of here in one piece.