Alyssa My chest is tight as I sit beside Mason, thinking about his story, replaying every heartbreaking detail. No wonder he's so guarded, so closed off. He's been through so much, and all I want to do is hold him longer, like somehow my touch could chase away all the pain he's been carrying for so long. Gaining the trust of these guys, hearing their stories, their secrets, things that I'm absolutely sure they wouldn't share with anyone else—it means the world to me. I glance down at his lips, wanting to kiss him. Is it crazy that I've realized in the past week that I might be catching feelings for him too? I want him to be mine, in the same way King and Niko are. It sounds insane, even to me—I've already got two men I can't claim in public, and now I'm thinking about adding another to that mess? Would Mason even be okay with that? Being another one of them? King and Niko are into group sex, but I can't see Mason being into something like that. He's different. I can see him want
Alyssa The next morning, Zuri and I are moved into our "temporary" room in the clubhouse. It's bigger than I expected, more like a mini-apartment with a bedroom, kitchen, and attached bathroom. They didn't skimp on making it feel comfortable, bringing in new furniture since Zuri's room is still intact at King's house. But despite the effort, it's not home. Or at least, what was starting to feel like home. I've barely spoken a word to the guys since they decided to bring me to Gray's version of Fort Knox. I'm too upset to say anything nice, so I just don't say anything at all. Niko tried explaining in the car that they'd see me every day, that, no matter what, I wouldn't be alone. But the words feel like empty promises now. I was safe with them. How could they let Gray convince them otherwise? Once everything is set up Gray's smug satisfaction radiates off him as he pushes the keys into my hands. My eyes meet his, but there's no gratitude—just daggers. He raises a bro
Nikolai "Your employee...Isaac Carter, where is he?" I ask, the question sharp and cutting through the silence in the room. The man tied to the chair shifts uncomfortably, sweat already breaking out on his forehead. He clearly wasn't expecting anyone to break into his office, not after it was locked up for the night. I bet he feels unlucky as shit right now. Across the room, King sits on a worn leather sofa, his expression a menacing mask of fury and resolve. It's been that way since we had to leave Alyssa behind, and though the same simmering rage courses through me, he has less control over himself than I do. If this guy doesn't give us some answers soon, King won't hesitate to jab his knife right into his throat. We told Gray we were spending tonight looking for leads on Isaac's location, and what better place to search than his workplace? Where his boss was conveniently staying late, all alone. "Look, I don't know what shit Isaac's involved in, but it has nothing to
Alyssa After finally putting Zuri to bed, though it felt like a battle considering how long she fought, I find myself in the dark, wide awake. I understand now why Zuri struggled so much. This place is new, unfamiliar. I miss our beds at King's place. The silence of the room feels oppressive without any of the guys here. Mason left soon after Zuri fell asleep, even though I almost asked him to stay. But he'd already made it clear he didn't want Gray getting the wrong idea. I'm alone. The heavy feeling in my chest presses harder as I turn over in the bed for what feels like the hundredth time. I'm reminded of those many nights when Isaac and I were under the same roof, and yet he refused to cuddle with me. I feel just as fucking lonely now as I did then. Damn it. Why did I have to get so attached to them? I should hate them for bringing me here, for deciding what's best for us without asking what I wanted. But I can't. When I finally do drift off, I wake up to the famili
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 tu
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 wit
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, fr
Alyssa Last night, after King offered Mason the chance to join us, Mason hesitated, saying he needed time to think about it. Still, he ended up sleeping in the room with us, curled up in an armchair, which left me a little bit disappointed but ultimately respectful of his decision. I don't want him to do anything he's not 100% sure about yet. This morning, Niko and I assisted Nina in whipping up breakfast for all the club members, either staying here or arriving early just to eat. Now, we're gathered around a table in the bar, me and King on one side and Niko and Mason across from us. Zuri is happily seated in her high chair at the end of the table near Niko and me, devouring her sausages, scrambled eggs, and sliced bananas. King's hand rests possessively on my thigh, his fingers tracing a line along my skin. I bite my lip, his touch distracting me from my food—or anything else, really. Fuck. I really wish Isaac would hurry up and die so I can have a sex life again. Ni
Alyssa I wake up at 5 a.m., my nerves already prickling with anticipation. Marina will be here soon, and even though I'm not entirely sure what this meeting will entail, I know I need to look presentable. The weight of what's ahead presses down on me, making the early hour feel even heavier. The warm water steams over me as I lather soap on my washcloth, trying to clear my mind. What questions will Marina ask? How much does she already know? Gray must have filled her in on some of the mess that is my marriage, but will she look at me differently once she knows everything? Will she see me as just another broken, naive woman who made bad decisions, or will she understand the depths of Isaac's cruelty? The thought twists my stomach in knots. When I met her yesterday, her piercing gaze made me feel both small and seen at the same time. She exudes confidence and control—the kind of person who could break someone with just a word. But will she really be able to stop Isaac's plan
Alyssa After a few hours of sleep, I wake up to find Niko and Mason's bodies pressed against me, but King is nowhere to be found. For a moment, I wonder if he had a job or something, but I'm sure he would've woken me up to tell me before he left. I slip out of bed and check on Zuri, my feet light on the floor as I move through the quiet house. After a quick trip to the bathroom, I head downstairs. The low glow of the lamp in the living room casts long shadows. That's when I see him—King. His tall, solid silhouette sits in his chair, a drink in hand. By the tension in his posture, I can tell that something's wrong. Wrapping my silk black robe tighter around me, I cross the room silently and sink into his lap. My arms slip around his neck, and I bury my face in the warmth of his neck, inhaling the scent of him. He hums softly, the low, gravelly rumble of his voice breaking the silence. "What are you doing awake, kitten?" I let my fingers trace the curve of his jaw, th
King I gaze at Alyssa's ass in awe. It's bright red, covered in tiny welts and marks from the flogger, but neither Niko nor I broke the skin. Good. She should heal fast. With fifteen strokes to go, I've decided these final ones will break her—not physically, but emotionally. She needs it. Not just because of the shit she pulled today, but because I can see it in her eyes, in the way she's holding herself together too tightly. She's ready to shatter, and she's trusting us to help her do it. Bent over Mason's lap with the side of her face pressed to the couch, she waits patiently for the sting of the flogger to come. She breathes in shallow gasps, her body arching just enough to beckon the next strike, a silent plea written in the curve of her spine. I drop the flogger on the coffee table and trail my hand from the nape of her neck all the way down to her reddened ass. Her entire body shivers, and my chest constricts. In moments like this, I feel most in control—of myself and t
Alyssa I can't believe this. I'm draped over Mason's lap, my ass bared and stinging as King flogs me, while Niko brushes his fingers lightly up and down my back. I've never been this scared and aroused with them before. Maybe because I never expected them to actually spank me. Even with my safe word perched on the tip of my tongue, ready to end this all, I don't stop them. Instead, I count each strike of the flogger, gripping onto the steady rhythm to keep myself grounded. King moves with deliberate control, his strokes confident and precise, alternating between my cheeks. Each hit is delivered with escalating intensity, forcing me to toe the delicious line between pain and pleasure. The next strike shatters through me, a bolt of heat that sizzles across my skin and settles like molten lava between my legs. I can tell my body doesn't know whether to resist it or chase this sensation. "Twelve," I whimper, my legs shaking and sweat slicking my skin. "I'm about to come, Da
Mason Alyssa gazes at me, her eyes wide and trusting. The sight hits me hard, a wave of protectiveness washing over me. If today had gone differently, she wouldn't be here right now. She'd be dead. Beaten to death by her husband. I was so upset I couldn't even speak to her when King and Niko told me she was going to leave with Isaac. Then, after Gray got arrested, she ran off without telling any of us. I know King's chastising himself, thinking that if he had been more in control of his own emotions, if Niko and he had been out to stop her, they could've prevented this. But the truth is, there was no way in hell any of us would've kept our cool around that asshole without getting arrested ourselves. Even Gray couldn't keep it together. But it's not like I can say I'm not glad he defended Alyssa—for fucking once since she's been back. It was a long time coming. In King's office, we discussed how we should punish her. King was adamant that he wanted to make sure we don't ca
Alyssa My pulse skyrockets as Niko reaches for the sharp knife on the table, kneeling down in front of me. I remain perfectly still as he brings the blade to my shirt, slicing it open in one swift movement. The sound of fabric tearing echoes in the room. He rips it from my shoulders like it's made of paper, leaving my chest exposed to the cool air. "Fuck," he hisses under his breath. His hands knead my breasts, thumbs brushing over my hardening nipples. The sensation makes my breath hitch, and I bite my lip to stifle a needy moan. This is a punishment—I'm not supposed to show that I like it. Still, the thought crosses my mind that maybe he'll push further, just to test me. His sea-blue eyes glimmer with wicked amusement as they rake over my body. Without hesitation, he grabs the waistband of my shorts and panties, removing them with another precise slice of the blade. Fully naked and on my knees, the tension in the room shifts dramatically. I can feel their gaze burning
Alyssa The rumble of engines fades, leaving behind an almost deafening silence. The second everyone else is gone, Niko steps forward and pulls me into his arms. His grip is tight, almost crushing, as though he's afraid I might slip away. "What the fuck were you thinking, sweet girl?" His voice cracks, low and raw with emotion. His fingers tremble as they comb through my hair. "He would've killed you." He plants a kiss on my forehead, as if he's trying to anchor himself, though his next words are steel-sharp. "I swear, If I ever call you and you don't answer again, I'll spank your ass raw. Right in front of your brother." Before I can answer, King's deep hum slices through the air. "Maybe I should've done that. Is that what you wanted, kitten? For me to humiliate you in front of your brother?" His large hand suddenly grips the back of my hair, snapping my head back. His eyes are amber flames that burn me from the inside out. "Answer me." "No, Daddy," I whisper, my voice t
Alyssa King's boots thud heavily against the asphalt as he stalks towards me, his expression carved from stone. The tension in the air is palpable, coiling tighter with each step he takes. Niko follows closely behind, his face a shade darker but no less intimidating. My breath catches in my chest, and my fingers fidget at my sides as I brace for their wrath. They're both lions stalking a prey that's cornered. Me. A paralyzed little gazelle. I try to gather bravado, but my legs tremble, threatening to give out. King's silence as he closes the distance is somehow worse than words. Beside him, Niko's mouth twists into a cruel smile. "Alyssa." His gravelly voice sends a warning that's impossible to ignore. I plaster on the sweetest, most innocent smile I can muster. "Nikolai." His pupils dilate at the sound of his full name. Point one for me. Maybe I can seduce my way out of this. "Does your phone not work?" he asks, his voice sharp, his eyes daring me to lie. "I bel
Alyssa I can't believe I'm doing this. I took the car after Gray was arrested, not bothering to tell the guys. Now Logan's in the passenger seat, and Christine's sitting quietly behind him. I've pulled the seat in close, gripping the wheel tight as I weave through traffic like a woman possessed. I know I shouldn't have taken off the way I did, but something inside me needed to feel in control again. Especially after the day I've had. I haven't driven since the day I escaped Isaac, and...it just feels good. Besides, I shouldn't feel guilty anyway. I'm a grown-ass woman, and technically, King bought this car for me, so really, I'm not doing anything wrong, right? But even as I tell myself that, the guilt gnaws at me. I know the guys are going to be furious with me anyway. I'm in serious trouble, and the thought fills me with a mix of apprehension and a strange thrill. I still can't believe Gray punched Isaac in the face, and I'm pretty sure he broke his nose. There was blood ev