Claimed by my Brother’s Best Friends (Alyssa) novel Chapter 28

King

With only one full day left together, unless I can convince her to stay, I want her to see how good it could be. What she's been missing out on this entire time.

Once we arrive at the outlet, I make it my first mission to find a goddamn stroller. There's no way we're carrying around this heavy car seat all day. After searching two different baby stores, we find a purple one with grey flowers.

I'm not exactly excited to push around such a girly stroller, but Alyssa has the biggest smile on her face when she sees it, so I'll just have to suck it up.

After Zuri is sitting in her new stroller, sleeping like a princess without a care in the world, we begin our shopping. The crowd bustles around us, the air filled with the various scents of stores and food stalls. I keep a watchful eye on Alyssa, ensuring she's within arms reach at all times.

"This looks so weird, with all three of you walking with me," Alyssa mutters, her face redder than the flowers planted around the outlet.

"Relax. We're just your big brothers making sure you're safe," Niko grins, throwing an arm over her shoulders. She tenses immediately, shrugging him off. His arm falls away, and he chuckles, continuing to follow behind her.

I eye Niko suspiciously, but he just shrugs, his expression unbothered. I don't know what the fuck is going on here, but I plan to find out.

In our fourth or fifth store, Niko, Mason, and I are standing around, watching Alyssa browse through rows and rows of baby clothes. Her fingers trail over the soft fabrics, her eyes lighting up with each outfit she finds cute enough for Zuri to wear.

"You're not supposed to bring food or drinks in here," Mason mutters, nodding towards the smoothie in Niko's hand.

Niko snorts. "I wish they would tell me to get rid of it. This shit was eight dollars, and that's with this stupid paper straw that's about to piss me off."

I shoot him a stern look. "We won't start trouble here. Let our kitten shop in peace."

"Do you think this is going to make her stay?" Niko asks in a low voice, leaning against the store's window.

"No, but the least we can do is take care of her," I deadpan, my eyes never leaving her.