Chapter 73

"And she agreed to this?" Mason asks, his voice even.

"Hey, who do you think I am? King?" Niko asks, sounding half-offended/half-playful. "Plus, it isn't just about sex with her. We're together now."

Together. It sounds so strange hearing it out loud for the first time.

I steal a glance at Mason from the corner of my eye, my breath catching as I find his jaw tight, ticking rhythmically. He's not disgusted. He's pissed.

But why? Is it because of me? I know my relationship with King and Niko puts him in a tough position, but this feels like something else. Jealousy?

No...it couldn't be. Or could it?

The silence stretches between us, uncomfortable and tense. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Mason breaks it. "When Gray starts torturing and killing you both, don't beg me to help you, because I won't," he says with a leveled voice, but there's an undercurrent to it that I don't miss. I wonder if the others picked up on it too.

Fuck. He must be upset that our relationship puts him at risk because he knows about it and didn't inform Gray.

"Look, Mace," I say, my voice softer. "If Gray finds out, you can pretend you didn't know anything. I'll vouch for you." I reach across the seat, my fingers brushing his hand resting in his lap. He flinches at the touch but doesn't pull away, allowing my hand to settle over his.

"It's not about that," he mutters under his breath, barely loud enough for me to catch.

Then what is it about?

Before I can ask, Mason changes the subject abruptly, as if to shift the focus away from himself. "I've been thinking about it, and Gray likely invited Alyssa to the clubhouse to gain her trust. That's the only reason I can think of."

"It's not like we could know for sure," Niko chimes in. "He doesn't trust us anymore. Especially King."

King releases an uninterested sigh. "Well, we'll tell him what he wants to know after the Iron Serpents situation is handled."

Wait, what? They actually plan to tell my brother about us? Like the three of us?

King catches my gaze in the rearview mirror, smirking. "Are you against that, kitten? Do you want us to stay your dirty little secrets?"

I lick my lips, my mind spinning. "No, I just want you guys to stay safe."

My eyes widen, my cheeks flushing. "You'd really be okay with that?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly. The idea of being claimed by King in public, while Niko shares me in private, feels...confusing. How would that even work?

Niko chuckles, his voice low and teasing. "Sweet girl, as long as I can hold and play with you every day, I'll be happy."

Claimed by my Brother’s Best Friends (Alyssa)

Chapter 72 So I leave it there, our fingers loosely intertwined for the rest of the drive. Even though we don't speak, the silence between us feels...different now.

Warmer. Comfortable. Like something it shouldn't.