Chapter 16
Mason
I pull in front of King’s house on my bike, the weight of the new phone he asked me to bring tucked in my jacket pocket. It’s not often King calls me over, so I assume something serious is going on.
Nobody really ever explains shit to me, but it’s not like 1 care. Ignorance is bliss, they say. I don’t ask questions. I just do what
I’m told and try to stay out of the way.
In a way, I see myself as a vault. People come to me with their darkest secrets because “I’m such a good listener,” but it’s really just because I don’t care enough to respond. Still, my memory is annoyingly exceptional, so I’m always gathering new information, filing it away for later.
When I step inside, my eyes instantly land on Alyssa Carter, holding a rather large and alert baby in her arms
Interesting.
So, I guess her and Isaac had a child together. Why is she here, then? In the home of the man she has always claimed to hate the most? She’s dressed comfortably and barefoot, as if she spent the night.
Okay, now my curiosity is piqued.
“Hey, Alyssa,” I greet her. It feels strange seeing her again, considering I had a huge crush on her in high school, but I never got to tell her how I felt before she got married. Despite Gray’s warning, I always assumed King or Niko would claim her
before I got the chance anyway.
“Hey,” Alyssa replies, her voice soft and tinged with fatigue. She sounds like a warrior who has fought too many battles, and now she needs to put down her swords and take a break.
Just as she responds, King’s office door flies open. “Niko, Mace, come into my office. Now.”
Alyssa watches us curiously as Niko and I step inside and close the door. The room is dimly lit, the scent of leather and musk hanging heavily in the air.
“What’s up, King?” I ask, pulling out the iPhone box from my pocket and placing it on the desk. Niko sits on the edge, like
there’s not two chairs beside him.
King settles into his desk chair, his expression guarded. “Gray called me while I was out earlier-”
“What the fuck?” Niko cuts him off, his voice laced with irritation. “Why didn’t he call me? I’m his number two, not you”
He has a valid point. Niko is the Vice President, but Gray seems to only call King for certain jobs. Maybe it’s because King is
as sick and sadistic as they come, his impulsiveness strikes fear into everyone.
I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of him, but he’s not exactly a guy I’d cross. Not if I want to keep my limbs. I’ve literally seen him saw someone’s hand off and then slap them with it. That person is dead now, of course, but the torture beforehand was brutal to
watch
“Nikolai,” King growls, his voice a low warning.
“Whatever,” Niko mutters, defiance flashing in his eyes. “Keep going”
King narrows his eyes but continues, “Gray wants us to protect Alyssa until he comes back. Now that I’ve gotten her a phone and a car, the three of us need to keep eyes on her 24/7 while giving her the illusion of freedom.”
What the hell?
“What’s going on?” I don’t usually care enough to ask, but it seems that my curiosity is getting the best of me today
King’s expression darkens. “Let’s just say Isaac Carter needs to be eliminated as soon as possible. But that can wait until after Gray comes back. Until then, she needs the protection only we can provide.”
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So, she’s in serious danger.
My jaw clenches, but I stay silent. It’s rare that I feel emotions, but the night of Alyssa’s wedding, we all saw how aggressive Isaac was, yet we let her leave with him. They don’t have to tell me exactly what happened for me to piece together a picture
that makes me see red.
It’s a miracle she managed to get away from him alive.
What a strong little warrior she is.
I never usually voice my thoughts. I don’t like people reading, learning me. Yes, the members of the Crimson Reapers are my brothers, but even they don’t know the real me.
