Chapter 85
Logan
Now that Alyssa’s right here in front of me, I can’t take my fucking eyes off of her.
God, she’s beautiful
The last time I saw her, she was only seven, standing by my hospital bed with tears streaking down her face. I was barely awake most days, but that guilt–ridden look she wore burned into my memory. Now, she’s twenty–two, a year younger than me, and every bit the goddess I imagined she’d
grow into
Even if she’s sitting on another man’s lap.
King Sterling’s glare could burn a hole straight through my head, but Alyssa–she recognizes me. I see that glimmer of recognition in her eyes. Sering me must’ve triggered her memory.
1 het Gray feels like a dumbass right now, walking into a trap 1 set with Bones help. Of course, he warned me not to do anything reckless, or let War do anything reckless Pointing a gun at Gray might’ve put a target on my back, but I couldn’t resist.
Bones wants this alliance with the Crimson Reapers. I want her.
My gaze drops to the leather vest she’s wearing, marked by King’s claim. My jaw tightens as I watch her lean into his hold, and jealousy sears through me. But Bones will be thrilled. It’s exactly the bait we need to draw Isaac Carter out of his hiding place.
While Alex, our bartender, lines up glasses of whiskey for our guests, I keep my gaze locked on her. She’s exactly beautiful, and resilient, even if she doesn’t know it yet. The force that pulls me towards her is as strong as ever
e i remember–strong–willed,
“Mine” by Sleep Token plays low in the background. I hope she likes that I found oor of her Spotify playlists from high school. Figured it might help her relax. But seeing her eyes dart around, I worry if it’s only freaking her out more.
Suddenly, a sharp ache throbs at the back of my skull. War’s starting to claw his way to the front of my mind, demanding to be let out, I shove ham back with everything I have. He’s…more twisted than I ani. He’ll scare her on purpusse, just because he’s a sick fucker who gets off on shit like that.
Not ver
t yet, I tell him, hoping he’ll listen this time. He goes silent, simmering, but the pressure builds.
Gray eyes me warily as he peers into the glass, while King and Masch just watch me like I’ll jump up and bite them.
“What?” I til my head, smirking. “Don’t trust us? Not exactly the best way to start an alliance, is
Gray’s glare hardens. “Says that asshole who just threatened to shoot us,
I roll my eyes. “Whose fault is that, Gray? You kept her away from me all these years, even after the bastard father of yours was dead and gone, just so she would never find out who he really was.
He clenches his jaw, his tone a mix of venom and regret. “It wasn’t for his fucking image–it was to protect her. You didn’t see her…after. She wouldn’t talk, wouldn’t eat. Screamed in her sleep every single night. I never wanted to her like that again.”
He’s right. I wasn’t there, but she’s not a child anymore. If the survived years of her husband’s abuse, she’s strong enough to face the truth.
“Well, looks like she isn’t doing too bad right now.” My voice softens as I look at her. “Angel do you remember it all now?”
She nods slowly, her voice quiet but steady. “I killed your…uncle.” She says it with hesitation, like the memory feels foreign on her gue
Yes, my dark angel. You’re a killer like the rest of us.
Though in my case, War does most of the dirty work.
Alyssa’s expression hardens. “Is that why you wanted us here? For revenge? Because I won’t let you hurt them because of me.”
King makes a sharp noise of protest “Kitten,” he growls under his breathe
Kitten! Guess he’s got his own litle nickname for her.
Too bad she was my angel first.
I chuckle, surprised by the challenge burning her eyes. “Why would I want revenge? My uncle was a sick bastard who only took me in for the money after my parents died. You saved me. Without you, he would’ve killed me.”
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Chapter 85
She blinks, struggling to process my words. “Even with what Gray just said.. the memories about what happened after are still a bit fuzzy. happened to you!”
What
“At first, you visited me in the hospital, but once I was stable, your father threatened to kill me if I spoke a word of what happened. You see, it was convenient that you weren’t talking. He was able to convince everyone you shut down because you accidentally walked in on him shooting Sal for being a traitor. Then, he talked your mother into fixing you. A month later, I was sent upstate to live with some relatives. And you..you forgot” Nothing hurt worse than knowing my Erst and only friend forgot I fucking existed, and it was all thanks to Daddy dearest.
“So, everything just went back to normal? Like it never happened?” she asks, confused.
I glance at Gray, giving him the floor. He grits his teeth and tosses back another shot of whiskey. “Not for long. When you turned thirteen, the club was struggling financially, so he…” His voice falters, pain flashing in his eyes. “He planned to sell you, Alyssa. Said you were a woman now, that you were ready”
Alyssa’s face pales, “What?”
I watch as King rubs his hands up and down her arms, probably trying to keep her from spiraling. But she’s doing so well so far. She’s too busy demanding answers to let all of this shit pull her under.
Gray continues, his voice colder now. “As soon as I found out, I confronted him about it. He lied, but King got the truth out of him eventually
Alyssa’s eyes widen. “How did he he plan to get away with that without Mom finding out?”
“You were at a rebellious stage. He was going to make it look like you ran away, and we’d just never see you again”
She stares in disbelief. “What in the actual fuck? So what happened he changed his mind, didn’t want to go through with selling his own daughter? Is that why he was murdered?”
Gray stays silent.
“Gray?” she asks hesitantly.
The silence is a beat longer before she bolts out of King’s lap, turning to face us. “Oh my god. You guys
killed him?”
I snort. “Him, and about thirty others”
“Thirty others?” she squeaks.
The Moonshadow Creek Massacre. That’s what bikers around here call it. Not sure how many others know the Crimson Reapers were responsible for it, but I figured it out a long time ago. I’m still pissed they didn’t invite me to the party
Alyssa’s eyes snap to King, full of unspoken questions.
“King only got the confession,” Gray answers. “I put the bullet in his head, for everything he did to you–and all those girls he trafficked and killed. Then we took down everyone else involved
She gasps in horror. “Fuck, Gray.. you were all just sixteen”
Gray’s jaw ties. “That didn’t matter. My first kill was at ten. My final task before 1 got my patch. Ace had already taught me everything I needed to know in order to take over the MC; we just needed to exterminate those sick motherfuckers first,”
“And..Ace“” Her voice is barely a whisper.
Gray’s eyes grow distant. “Hardest kill of my life, but it needed to be done.”
Alyssa falls silent, her mind working through it all. It looks like her brain might explode for a second, before she finally schools her expression and turns to me. “War.. is he your other personality? Did L cause it?”
The sound of War’s name on her lips stirs something dark inside me. He’s been with me a long time.” I say, my voice low. “You didn’t cause him, but he surfaced that day.”
Gray’s gaze sharpens as he growls, “It was never safe for you to be around her, Logan. It isn’t now,”
That might’ve been true for anyone else. But War and I agree on one thing.
My eyes bore into hers. “You don’t need to be afraid of him, angel. He’d never hurt you.”
She nods, her gaze softening. “I know.”
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Chapter 85
Something warm penetrates my cold heart. Even when the monster inside me came out that day, she didn’t leave me for dead like anyone else would’ve. Instead, she protected me. She protected in
War surges forward, like he’s been summoned. My vision blurs, and I feel myself sinking as he claws his way up. My thoughts slip to the back of my mind, submerged, watching helplessly as his darkness spreads. War chuckles, his gaze locking on her, and I brace myself–hoping that she can still see something left of me behind his eyes.
Don’t scare her asshole, I beg him, knowing he probably doesn’t care. You’ll ruin everything.
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