Claimed by my Brother’s Best Friends (Alyssa) novel Chapter 72

Alyssa

I can't believe we're going to the clubhouse.

The Crimson Reapers' clubhouse.

The one place I've been forbidden to go my entire life, both by my father and Gray. The closer we get, the more tension builds in my chest, like a pair of headphones you can't untangle.

"I can practically hear your chewing your lip off back there. Stop it," King says firmly.

Mason is silent beside me, but I can feel his eyes on me, studying me in that quiet, intense way he does.

I pause in my lip-biting and let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know why I'm so nervous. I just want to make a good first impression, I guess. I don't want everyone to see me as Gray's weak, defenseless little sister."

"Speaking of that," Niko cuts in with a teasing smirk in his voice, "everyone's probably going to give you shit. You can handle a bit of teasing, right, my sweet girl?"

After years of dealing with their bullying, I guess I've learned how to take it.

"I guess so," I mutter, gazing out the window as the streets whiz by.

"I know you can. And that means we can't step in and defend you," Niko adds.

I open my mouth to ask why, but he continues. "You said it yourself—you don't want to be seen as weak. Gray hasn't exactly set you up for success in that department, so you'll need to stand your ground. You've done it with Gray twice now. You can do it with anyone else."

Can I really do that? Stick up for myself in a room full of hard, intimidating bikers?

I frown, doubt creeping over me. "What if someone threatens me or something?" my voice comes out smaller than I intended, and I hate it.

I glance over at Zuri, who's too busy gnawing on her teether to notice anything else.

"She's okay. She didn't hear King's road rage," I say with a giggle, which makes them laugh.

"Gray's got you that on edge, huh?" Niko asks, his tone shifting back to serious.

King's grip on the wheel tightens. "I just want to know what the hell he's planning."

"We're the only ones who know about your sexual relationship with Alyssa. So it's safe to say Gray's not planning to execute all of us in front of her," Mason says, a dry humor in his voice.

"He's not the only one now," Niko says, turning to me with a full grin. "Huh, sweet girl?"

Heat flushes my cheeks, but I can't even find the words to respond. Mason knows now. Is he judging me? I can't even force myself to look at him and see, scared that if I do, I'll see disappointment or disgust.