Chapter 17 Alyssa I shake off the horrible memory , forcing myself to focus on the here and now .
Mason flips a page in his book , completely absorbed , giving me the space to breathe and collect my thoughts .
His presence is strangely comforting , even if Im will wary of his intentions .
Zuris soft coos draw my attention , and I smile down at her .
You hungry , baby girl ? I murmur , lifting her into my arms .
I carry her to the kitchen , feeling Masons eyes on me as I prepare a bottle .
Do you need any help ? Masons deep voice startles me , and I nearly drop the can of formula on the floor .
I turn to find him standing in the doorway , his expression unreadable .
Is he really speaking to me , or am I that out of my mind that Im imagining it ? Im fine .
I reply , trying to calm my racing heart .
Just feeding her .
He nods , but doesnt move , watching as I set Zuri on the counter and finish making the bottle .
Once I do , I settle her back into my arms , and hand her the bottle .
My eyes lift to find Mason continuing to watch us , his gaze softening as he observes Zuri .
Shes beautiful , he says softly .
Looks just like you I smule .
So Ive heard .
We make our way back to the living room , and I sit on the couch while Mason returns to the armchair .
Uh , what are you reading I ask , since I guess were actually having a conversation right now .
Zuri greedily sucks down her bottle , not paying any attention to us .
Mason laughs nervously , rubbing the back of his neck .
Oh , um , Salems Lot .
Stephen King is my favorite author .
Wow , so he reads on the regular .
Thats pretty hot .
I smile at him .
Wow , I didnt think youd be into thrillers .
I really wanted to say I didnt think hed be into reading , but that sounds rude .
Yeah .
Are you ? he asks , leaning against the door , his stance casual yet attentive .
Uh , no .
Ive got enough going on in my life that I dont need anything else giving me nightmares , I say with a nervous laugh .
He adjusts his glasses , a slight frown forming on his lips .
Yeah , I heard .
Im sorry about that .
I wave dismissively .
Theres nothing to be sorry about .
It was my own naive decision .
He doesnt reply , but I notice the subtle tick of his jaw , After Zuri finishes her bottle , I play some more with her on the floor before trying to call Gray .
Once again , his phone goes straight to voicemail , What the fuck ? How was King able to speak to him ? Does my own brother not pick up his phone for anyone but his little gang members ? I glance at Mason , whos engrossed in his book .

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Hey , Mason .
Do you know where my brother is ? I ask , trying to sound like Chapter 17 Im inquiring innocently .
Maybe since hes talking to me , hes willing to give up information that the others wont He glances up from his book , his eyes narrowed .
Im not inclined to say , he replies stoically .
Fuck .
Why ? Is King going to spank you if you do ? I snap , annoyed that I was wrong .
Hes not going to tell me shit .
W really has them on a short lease .
I know it isnt Gray .
Gray just barks orders and expects King to carry them out for him .
King Hes always done that .
Even when we were kids , and I was only able to get a tiny glance into what the Crimson Reapers really do .
Mason snorts .
No , I just follow orders .
I seethe .
Well then , where did King and Niko go ? He just stares at me , his expression as stony as ever .
Dammit .
Is Gray on some kind of top secret spy mission or something ? What the hell do I need to do to get some answers .
around here ? I sigh heavily .
You guys are infuriating .
How am I expected to trust you if no one will tell me anything ? He places his bookmark back into the book and closes it , placing it on the end table .
Then , he turns his full attention .
towards me .
I know it must be hard to trust us , but we only want to keep you and your daughter safe until Gray returns .
His answer sounds robotic , but I accept it because theres no point in arguing with him .
Yeah , yeah , I mutter .
Well , its nice to hear your voice for once .
I used to think King kept an invisible muzzle on you .
His mouth twitches .
Uh , thanks .
I just didnt want you to be uncomfortable around me .
When I laugh , Zuri glances up at me .
Ive been staying here for a couple of days now .
I think being uncomfortable is something I need to get used to .
In reality , Im actually way too comfortable here .
And thats a fucking problem .
Something flickers in Masons eyes , but its gone just as quickly .
Is there anything else you need to make your stay more .
comfortable ? I can pick it up for you , he offers , That reminds me that I have a car now .
Courtesy of a rather suspiciously generous asshole .
But leaving the house still twists my stomach in knots .
Im good for now , thanks , Plus I dont want to accidentally run into Isaac .
Im sure hes searching high and low for me right Masons expression darkens , his eyes narrowing slightly .
Youll never have to be afraid of him burting you again .
If youre not ready , thats fine .
But just know that Ill protect you .
And the others will too .
Men like him dont deserve to live .
The dark edge in his voice catches me off guard , sending a chill down my spine .
Its not like Ive heard him speak much , but I didnt think he could be that damn intense .
I laugh it off .
I like how you guys keep casually offering to kill my husband .
Hes not worth it the prison sentence I mean .
Ill find another way to make sure he stays away from us .
He just stares at me , his gaze never leaving my face .
No , hes going to die , he says with certainty .
Once Gray founds out , hell have King deal with him .
I hate to tell you , but youll have no say about it .
22:50 Fri , Dec 6 Chapter 17 I glance down at Zuri , trhose eyes are starting to glaze over with killed ? It would be much easier to say that he wasnt a safe pers reason hes dead ? Im not sure if thats a burden Im able to bear I know its been a few years since weve seen each other , but hes Jeep .
How will I ever explain it to her ? That I had her father and hes not allowed to see us , but knowing that Im the ill the Gray I know .
He can be reasonable at times .
If I tell him I dont want my husband murdered , then I expect him to len to my wishes .
If not , Ill have to convince King to betray his brother .
And I dont even want to begin to think about what hell want in return .