Chapter 81

Nikolai Mason and I are watching Zuri, since King went upstairs to comfort Alyssa. After watching her break down in Gray's office and not being able to do anything, it's only fair that he be the one to do it.

Knowing him, though, he's probably fucking her by now. There's no doubt in my mind that she's losing herself in him, using his body to cope with what happened today.

I walk back into the living room with Zuri's bottle to find her curled in Mason's lap, her eyes focused on the book he's reading aloud. She looks fascinated, her tiny hands patting the pages like she can actually follow along with him.

"What nightmare-inducing book are we reading today?" I tease, plopping down on the couch.

Mason barely glances up. "The Green Mile," he replies. "I brought a few non-horror books for her...figured they were more appropriate."

So, this is something he planned for? And there's a gentleness in the way he handles Zuri, like he cares about her just as much as we do. I can't help but think about what Nina said earlier...about the four of us.

Has he been holding back? And for how long? I need to know. If he's got feelings for her, watching her with me and King must be fucking torture. I can't let my brother silently suffer like that. Not without at least asking.

Clearing my throat, I lean back, fixing him with a look. "Mace...can I ask you something?"

Mason's eyes snap up to mine, his gaze guarded. "What's up?"

No point in beating around the bush now. "Do you have feelings for Alyssa?"

His jaw works, his expression still unreadable. For a long moment, I think he's not going to answer, but then he says quietly, "I think it's clear that I care about her and Zuri."

"That's not what I asked."

He stiffens. There's a flicker of something in his eyes before he finally admits, "Yes."

Fuck. I had a feeling, but hearing it out loud hits different.

"Since when?" I ask, my voice tightening.

He hesitates for only a second. "High school."

High school? Shit. He's been keeping it buried for that long? And he was just never gonna tell us?

I nod, carefully considering my next words. "I think you should tell her when you're ready. She needs to know."

He shakes his head almost immediately. "It's too late."

"It isn't," I counter firmly. "She doesn't know how you feel. For all you know, she might feel the same way. And if she's willing to be with two of us, then what's stopping her from being okay with three?"

He's quiet for a long moment, letting Zuri slap her hand against his, her adorable giggles filling the room. "Even if she does...what about King? Most importantly, what about Gray?"

"King acts like he's in control, but it's really her who controls us all. And Gray, you're already in deep shit with him any way once he finds out about us.

Might as well go all in."

Mason doesn't argue, but his gaze sharpens, almost like he's dissecting my words. "And how do you feel about her? You said...it was more than just sex, right?" he asks hesitantly.

I answer immediately. "I'm in love with her. King? I don't know if you can call it love, but she's changing him. She's turning that obsession of his into something more."

King finally comes back downstairs, interrupting the conversation. Judging by the state of his disheveled hair and the satisfied look on his face, he fucked her to sleep.

"Is she okay?" I ask hm.

He nods. "She will be. She wants us to get tested tomorrow, so that's what we'll be doing."

Zuri suddenly lets out a loud yawn, grabbing King's attention. "What'd she eat for dinner?" he asks, watching her.

King crosses the room, his eyes on Zuri. "Up," he says softly, and she hesitantly reaches for him. He scoops her up with ease, cradling her to his chest. "I'll put her down since you've hogged her all day."

I can't help but grin. "I've already told you...can't help it if I'm her favorite." I stand up to kiss her forehead. "Good night, princess. I'll see you in the morning."

King heads upstairs, leaving me and Mason alone in the quiet room.

After a few beats, I comment quietly, "It looks like they're both changing him."

Mason doesn't say anything for a while, just staring at the now-closed book in his hands. Finally, he speaks. "You're not afraid that one day he'll want to keep them all to himself?"

And just like that, he's gone.

Mason raises a brow at me. "Punish?"

I can't contain my smirk. "We're still working on him not being so possessive over her, but I'm pretty sure this punishment is going to be fucking hot.

Maybe you should watch."

His expression shifts, uncertainty written all over his face. "I...I don't think so," he mutters.

"Too fast, huh?" I say with a laugh. "Well, this conversation will stay between us, of course, but seriously...you should tell Alyssa how you feel. It's only fair."

"How can you be okay with that? Me telling her how I feel?" he asks, confusion lacing his words.

Claimed by my Brother’s Best Friends (Alyssa)

Chapter 80 I shrug. "Because we've been through enough shit together that I trust you with my life, Mace. And if Alyssa wants all three of us, then that's what she'll get."

He looks at me for a long moment, his usual guarded expression slipping just slightly. But then, just as quickly, he picks up one of his books stacked on the table, putting his walls back in place.