Chapter 52
Alyv
When we step inside the clubhouse, I’m hit with a wave of testosterone and tension so thick, I almost choke on it. Two massive men stand at the door, their muscles bulging like they either live at the gym or spend their days breaking bones. Thankfully, they barely acknowledge me as we walk by, though I can feel their eyes lingering on my back
The clubhouse is bigger than I imagined. To my right, there’s a lounge area with sleek red couches, ahead, a bar lined with bottles of every kind of alcohol. On the wall is the Crimson Reaper’s patch–the grim reaper with blood dripping down his scythe. The place feels oddly familiar, like I’ve been here before, but it’s probably only because I’ve seen it in the background of old photos of my dad.
Zuri’s alert in her stroller, her eyes surveying the surrounding space. Thankfully, her headphones were in my diaper bag, considering this isn’t a place for kids
The moment we walk in, the room falls silent. Everyone’s eyes land on me, dissecting me, judging me like some helpless rabbit that just hopped into a den of wolves. At least, that’s how I fucking feel. My throat tightens. I force myself to keep walking the boys trailing behind me.
Then, a woman at the bar smirks, finally breaking the tense silence. “Princess, I think you’ve wandered into the wrong place. Arendelle’s that way She points with her thumb, and the people around her erupt into laughter.
My lips twitch, but I stay quiet.
- this the best they’ve gott After dealing with King, Niko, and Mason, a Frozen reference feels like child’s play.
“Damn, the Bennen genes run strong. She could be Gray’s twin someone else comments, and I tense.
So they know who I am then.
What else do they know?
“What’s Gray’s sister doing here?” another guy at the bar asks, his voice laced with curiosity and suspicion. “I thought he said-
“She’s here under Gray’s orders.” Niko cuts him off, his tone cold and commanding. I shudder at the deep, sexy base in his voice. “So make her feel welcome, or it’s not me you’ll have to deal with h
What the hell? Is he threatening them after he already told me they wouldn’t defend met
“We’re gonna go find Gray. Mason’ll stay with you, Niko whispers ad he brushes past m
me, his voice softening just for me. “You’ve got this, sweet girl”
“What he said,” King adds, running a finger along my spine before he follows behind him.
I nad, even though my heart thuds so hard I can barely hear anything else. My instincts are telling me to cling to Niku, to hide behind the boys, but I can’t be afraid. If I’m going to prove myself, I need to stand on my own two fert
The man sitting at the bar watches them leave before turning to me, grinning to reveal a gold tooth. “What’s your name, gorgeous?”
“Alyssa“” I reply, my voice steady despite the tremor creeping into my lambs.
“Nina,” the bartender greets, sticking out a tattoo–covered hand. “And that’s Luther” She motions to Gold Tooth
I shake her hand, but there’s an unspoken challenge in her grip.
“And who’s the baby?” she asks, staring at Zuri, who is staring right back her, making baby noises.
“My daughter, Zur
Something warm flashes in her eyes, but they’re guarded just as quickly. She purses her lips, saying slurply. “Look, I don’t know how things work in your privileged little bubble, but here, we don’t take care of princesses. Can you shoot?”
My stomach tightens. Shoot? I’ve never even held a gun. My father and Gray have always kept me away from this life, and now it’s coming back to bite me in my ass
When I don’t answer, Nina snups her fingers. “Diesel!”
A massive gay—I’m guessing Diesel–approaches with a long black case. He slams it on the counter and opens it, revealing an automatic gun.
My heart stutters. Shit What are they going to do with that? Or want me to do with that?
I take a step back, my fight or flight instincts kicking in as my eyes dart to Mason. But he doesn’t budge, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His face gives nothing away, just cold observation. I swallow hard, forcing myself to remember that if I were actually in any kind of danger.
18AM
Chapter 32
Mason would jump in without a second thought.
I let out a slow, steady breath, trying to calm my racing pulse. I’ve been through worse. A room full of bikers an
and a gun can’t break me.
Nina laughs, the sound sharp and almost playful. “Relax, Priners. I just want to see if you can part it together.” Tve never touched a gun before, I admit quietly
Maybe that was a stupid thing to admit, but this thing can actually kill someone, and I don’t want to end up mishandling it
She grins. “Good thing it’s not loaded”
I glance at the gun parts on the counter I shouldn’t want to touch them, but my fingers twitch with a strange familiarity. I pick up the first piece, fingers brushing over the cold, smooth surface of the metal.
“Okay, that is pretty hot,” Liber matters fr
mutters from beside me, his grin lazy
ty and amused.
Nina smacks him upside the head. “Shut up, she’s young enough to be your daughter!” the hisses,
Lignore them, focusing on the task at hand. My hands move on their own, almost like they’ve done this before. Piece by piece the gun comes together, and when I’m done, I just stare at it in shock.
I actually did it
I barely look up before Nina grabs me, pulling me into a crushing hug. Her arms wrap around me like she’s known me for years, and I freeze. confusion taking over
“Oh, Aly, I’ve missed you, she whispers against my h
hair. “It’s been too long.”
I stand stiff in her arms, trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Ally. How does she know that nickname? My dad used to call me that, but no one else has. Not even King or Niko.
Have I met her before? How? Whent
But before I can ask her, the moment is shattered by my brother’s hard voice that cuts through the room like a blade.
“Alyssa
1 snap my head in his direction, finding King and Niko standing with him. Their faces are unreadable, their usual masks when they’re around my brother set in place.
“In my office. Now”
“The Pres is in a mood today Wifey must not be putting out Luther unters under his breath
I stifle a laugh, despite the seriousness of the situation.
Niko strides over, his hand resting gently on Zuri’s stroller. “Nee–kon, she giggles, reaching for him. He picks her up, holding her gently as he always does.
I push the empry stroller, following him as he falls into step beside me. King and Gray lead the way, while Mason trails behind us. “Having fun, yet?” Niko murmurs.
I hum a “mhmm,” but I’m distracted. My mind is too full of questions. Who are these peopler Why do they feel so familiar! This entire place does. It seems like the only way I’ll get answers is if I hang around more, and that’s exactly what I plan to do
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