Claimed by my Brother’s Best Friends (Alyssa) novel Chapter 6

TW: Sexual Coercion

Alyssa

After Zuri falls asleep, I place her in the new crib that I moved to King's office. It's peaceful and calm in there, and I didn't want to wake her if Gray happens to call in the middle of the night. I doubt I'll be going to sleep any time soon anyway, there's too much on my mind.

King finally emerges from upstairs into the living room, dressed in a black t-shirt that clings too tightly to his muscular frame and a pair of loose, grey sweatpants. His steps are nearly silent on the wooden floor as he makes his way to the kitchen. I hear a cabinet open and the soft clinking of glasses. Moments later, he reappears with two glasses filled with dark, amber liquid.

King silently hands me one of the glasses, his fingers brushing mine briefly before he settles into the armchair opposite me. I bring the glass to my nose and sniff: whisky. It's been a long time since I've tasted alcohol and I definitely need some after what happened today, so I take a tentative sip. The liquid sears its way down my throat, but it's a welcoming burn.

King takes a slow, measured sip from his glass, his intense amber eyes never leaving mine. "Tell me, Kitten," he begins, his voice low and probing. "Why did your card decline? I know you—you're the type to check your balance fifty times before even thinking about going into a store. And let's not forget, your husband is a fucking lawyer with wealthy parents. You're gonna tell me you've blown through your monthly allowance already?"

I laugh nervously, the sound awkward in the quiet room. "Yeah, I guess having a kid changed that. Mom brain, I guess. I think my card was just locked."

He tilts his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as he studies me. "And where was your phone? You could have easily unlocked it."

"I left it in the car," I reply quickly, my heart beginning to race. "If it's about me paying you back, I can-"

He growls, the sound raising goosebumps along my spine. "You know damn well it's not about money. I don't like liars, Kitten. I already know the truth. I just want to hear it from those pretty lips of yours."

He's bluffing, I convince myself. He doesn't know shit, and I refuse to tell him.

He takes another sip, his gaze unyielding, waiting patiently for a more satisfying answer.

"Okay, maybe I accidentally left it in my car. I didn't want you to have to go back for it."

"Oh, we can easily fix that. Get little Zuri back in the car, and we'll go pick it up."

"That's not necessary," I insist, striving to keep my voice calm and steady.

He raises a dark eyebrow. "Your phone isn't a necessity?"

"I mean, not tonight. We can just go pick it up another day."

He hums, stroking his chin as he continues to gaze at me. Then, without warning, he gets out of the chair and strides over to me. I try to flinch away, but he firmly grasp my chin, turning my face to the side.

"W-What are you doing?" I ask, my voice trembling.

Our eyes meet, raging chaos reflected in his amber depths. "Seeing the marks that motherfucker left on you so I know exactly where to stab him."

"What are you talking about?" I grit out, replacing my fear with anger.

He grabs the collar of my shirt, and rips it apart with his bare hands. I gasp. "King-"

"That's what I thought," he growls.

I don't have to look down to know what he's seeing. The blue and purple bruises are just beginning to heal from a few nights ago when Isaac unleashed on me. The skin is mottled and tender, each mark a reminder of the monster my husband has become.