Claimed by my Brother’s Best Friends (Alyssa) novel Chapter 58

Actually, towards the end, their mom was wild as hell. She would've told her to go for it, and do whatever the fuck she wanted to do. But it's not my place to jump in.

Besides, my girl can defend herself.

Alyssa's eyes are blazing as she glares back at her brother. "I think mom would want me to be happy. And I wouldn't be here with you and your Victoria's Secret model wife, who I didn't even know existed until a week ago. Sure, we're blood, Gray, but that blood's been tainted."

Gray grits his teeth. "We can fix that. I failed you before with Isaac, but I'm stepping in now. You're staying here and that's final. I'll have King and Niko bring your things over."

We all open our mouths, but Niko speaks first, his voice calm but firm. "No, she's not. Alyssa doesn't want to stay here, and I won't help you hold her hostage."

Gray quirks a dangerous eyebrow, his voice dangerously low. "Excuse me?"

"You can't hold your sister and her baby here against her will, Gray," Niko's voice softens, still holding an edge, but he's trying to reason with him without involving violence.

Gray leans in, challenging him. "And who's going to stop me?"

I step forward. My muscles are tight, coiled like a spring, ready for whatever's next. "I told you already, Gray. I won't let you take her choice away. Neither of us are okay with that."

I pledged my loyalty to the Crimson Reapers at fifteen years old. Gray's father was commanding, ruthless, a leader who knew how to mold boys into leaders. That's what he did to the four of us. I was just a kid then, but I knew I was sealing my fate, bounding myself to a life full of blood, violence, and loyalty that ran thicker than any brotherhood. But now, as I stand here facing my best friend and the man who inherited that legacy, I realize that the chains of that loyalty no longer bind me in the same way.

"I did, babe," Gray mutters, his voice tight with barely-contained fury. His teeth grind together as if it's taking every ounce of strength not to snap in front of her. And knowing him, it is. "I didn't expect my brothers to stay, so you need to go change. Now."

Without a word, she sashays back into the bedroom, her exit as dramatic as her entrance. Alyssa watches the whole thing, her lips twisting into a grimace of disgust.

But then her gaze flicks back to Gray. "Can we leave now? I don't want to be here anymore," she says coldly. Her voice is a far cry from the sisterly love Gray seems to think he can revive.

Gray nods slowly, his expression carefully blank, but I can see the cracks in his mask. "Fine," he says slowly, his tone dangerously calm. "But I'll be popping by to check up on you frequently." His words are more of a threat than a promise, a threat intended for us. "You can go back with them for now, but I'm watching you."

Alyssa's response is a small, tight smile, one that doesn't reach her eyes. "Fine. Looking forward to seeing you again, big brother."