Claimed by my Brother’s Best Friends (Alyssa) novel Chapter 16

Mason

I pull in front of King's house on my bike, the weight of the new phone he asked me to bring tucked in my jacket pocket. It's not often King calls me over, so I assume something serious is going on.

Nobody really ever explains shit to me, but it's not like I care. Ignorance is bliss, they say. I don't ask questions. I just do what I'm told and try to stay out of the way.

In a way, I see myself as a vault. People come to me with their darkest secrets because "I'm such a good listener," but it's really just because I don't care enough to respond. Still, my memory is annoyingly exceptional, so I'm always gathering new information, filing it away for later.

When I step inside, my eyes instantly land on Alyssa Carter, holding a rather large and alert baby in her arms.

Interesting.

So, I guess her and Isaac had a child together. Why is she here, then? In the home of the man she has always claimed to hate the most? She's dressed comfortably and barefoot, as if she spent the night.

Okay, now my curiosity is piqued.

"Hey, Alyssa," I greet her. It feels strange seeing her again, considering I had a huge crush on her in high school, but I never got to tell her how I felt before she got married. Despite Gray's warning, I always assumed King or Niko would claim her before I got the chance anyway.

"Hey," Alyssa replies, her voice soft and tinged with fatigue. She sounds like a warrior who has fought too many battles, and now she needs to put down her swords and take a break.

Just as she responds, King's office door flies open. "Niko, Mace, come into my office. Now."

Alyssa watches us curiously as Niko and I step inside and close the door. The room is dimly lit, the scent of leather and musk hanging heavily in the air.

"What's up, King?" I ask, pulling out the iPhone box from my pocket and placing it on the desk. Niko sits on the edge, like there's not two chairs beside him.

King settles into his desk chair, his expression guarded. "Gray called me while I was out earlier-"