AlyssaI want to speak to you today. I've instructed my brothers to bring you and my niece by the house this afternoon. See you soon, sis. I read Gray's text for what feels like the millionth time, my stomach churning with a mix of anger and disbelief. Zuri's happily munching on her breakfast, comp
AlyssaI sit in the backseat beside Zuri, who's babbling happily and calling for her "Nee-koo" between bites of her teether. The familiar streets towards my childhood home are quiet, almost too peaceful for the boulder forming in my gut. King's driving, and Niko's riding shotgun, unusually quiet. Th
KingAlyssa laughs loudly at her brother's words, and I have to fight the twitch at the corners of my lips. "Is this seriously your version of an apology, Gray? I told you I didn't want to see you until you said sorry for the things you said, but instead, you made them bring me here so you can still
Actually, towards the end, their mom was wild as hell. She would've told her to go for it, and do whatever the fuck she wanted to do. But it's not my place to jump in.Besides, my girl can defend herself.Alyssa's eyes are blazing as she glares back at her brother. "I think mom would want me to be h
AlyssaThe ride home is tense. I know for a fact that if Christine hadn't walked into the room, all hell would've broken loose right there—with Zuri and me stuck in the middle of it.It was clear as fucking day that Gray didn't like that they stood up for me. It didn't sit well with him that they we
Mason I slide the magazine into my gun, watching King pull up beside me on his bike. A second later, Falcon and Elliot arrive, popping open the trunk. The spy is bound with rope, blood seeping from a nasty cut on his forehead. The Iron Serpents have been quiet for a while, but now they're sendi
I arch a brow. "You mean, like the 'closer eye' Gray wants to keep on her?" King's jaw tightens. "That's different. He wants to control her." "And you don't?" It's a bold question, especially given King's mood. I just want him to hear how hypocritical he sounds right now. Someone needs to tell
Alyssa I'm half-asleep, my head resting on Niko's chest, as the end credits of The Lion King roll. We've been watching our way though Disney movies, and surprisingly, Niko doesn't complain. His hand strokes my hair, sweet and tender, just like the entire evening has been. When Mufasa died, I bawle
I instantly remember when he told me his mom used to call him that.Of course she's a reason why he spiraled.I reach up to cup his face, my fingers stroking his beard tenderly. "Stop it. You're not a monster." My gaze shifts to the tattoo of my name over his heart, and I trace a finger over it, eli
"Please. Let me help you," I say, my voice cracking with fierce love for this new version of the man I love. "Let me make you feel whole again."He stares at me, his jaw working as if searching for words. After a long, heavy pause, he finally admits, "What if you can't fix me, kitten? What if I'm to
AlyssaSomething jolts me awake—a gut feeling that something's wrong. I sit up, realizing I must've dozed off after Gray left and one of the guys moved me to the bed. Niko and Mason sleep soundly beside me, snoring like bears that haven't hibernated in years.I smile softly, glad they're finally cat
Fuck. I hate that we had to miss her appointment today.Another damn reason why King's so on edge.I pass the ultrasound to Mason and gently lift Alyssa into my arms, careful not to wake her. "Were you trying to stay up for us, sweet girl?" I whisper, pressing a tender kiss to her temple as her soft
NikolaiI stare down at Vince's crumpled body on the floor, a bullet hole mangling his forehead. I can't decide whether to feel relief or dread. With Gray's bullshit, my gut screaming suspicions, two back-to-back hits on our supplies, and his mom unexpectedly showing up, King finally lost it.He ca
Gray: I know, but I'll handle it. Me: You mean Alyssa will handle it. She's the only one gonna be able to stop that motherfucker from blacking out and killing us both. I just hope you know what you're doing. Gray: He'll just have to understand. I did what I had to do. Me: Understand my ass. Ma
War I lean back in my chair, taking a slow drag from the blunt, letting the smoke curl between my lips as I watch Isaac begin to stir. Blood drips from his forehead where I headbutted him, streaking his pretty-boy face with red. Good. I should've done worse. Hell, I wanted to do worse. But I s
I bite back a laugh. "No schedule. We just do what we want, whenever we want."Chelsea exchanges a look with Ashley before turning back to me, mischief twinkling in her eyes. "Okay, but do they ever get jealous? Like, what happens if one of them wants you, but you're already with someone else?"Ashl
AlyssaAs soon as the ultrasound technician hands me the printed copies, I tuck them carefully in the diaper bag. I can't wait to show the guys later. I haven't seen much of them since the other night when we were all together. Usually, I'm already knocked out by the time they drag themselves home i