Claimed by my Brother’s Best Friends (Alyssa) novel Chapter 59

Alyssa

The ride home is tense. I know for a fact that if Christine hadn't walked into the room, all hell would've broken loose right there—with Zuri and me stuck in the middle of it.

It was clear as fucking day that Gray didn't like that they stood up for me. It didn't sit well with him that they were willing to defy him, even if it meant fracturing their brotherhood ties. That spoke louder than any of the lies they told him today. It proves that they care about me, that I'm more than just his sister to them.

But what the hell are we doing? I can't allow this to continue. I need to leave. I'm putting them at risk and if Gray decides to hurt them because of me...I saw the way his eyes darkened with malice. He'll punish them. He'll make them pay.

I suck in a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. King catches my gaze through the rearview mirror, his eyes narrowed with concern, while Niko's head snaps in my direction.

"Sweet girl, what's wrong?" Niko's voice is soft, but I can hear the sharp edge of worry behind it.

"I'm fine," I mutter, giving them a forced smile.

"I don't like it when you lie, kitten," King growls low from the front.

I chew on my lip. "I mean...I don't know what to say right now. Except, um, thank you—for putting your lives on the line for me and Zuri."

Even if I don't understand their whole gang thing, I know that something was broken tonight. Gray now has a reason to question their loyalty, and he's probably more suspicious about their intentions with me after they openly refused to obey his command.

The way that Niko spoke to him, I've never heard him speak with such authority before. That has to be the voice he uses in the club, right? The one that commands fear and respect from the other men as vice president. It's a dominance I've only glimpsed, and one he never shows around King for some reason.

"He'll need some time, but he'll get over it. Seems Christine is actually useful for something," King grumbles.

But I'm still not convinced. We can't keep whatever's going on between us a secret forever. Gray will find out eventually, and what will they tell him? That I slipped and tripped on their dicks?

"You heard him," I blurt, panic rising in my throat. "He's going to start watching us, and what if he finds out-"

Niko cuts me off with a grin. "You don't need to worry about that, baby. We've got it covered."

"How?" I snap, my voice rising an octave. Not annoying as fuck like Christine's, but still enough to make me cringe. "He's going to kill both of you, and then what's going to happen to me?"

My brother is crazier than I thought. He's perfectly okay with keeping me and my daughter locked up, as long as he thinks it's keeping me safe. He confirmed that he doesn't give a damn about whether I'm happy with his decision over my life.

Fucking prick.

"He's not going to do anything," Niko reassures me, putting his feet on the dashboard like we aren't talking about life or death right now. "I don't know if you noticed, but we kinda keep his whole operation running."