Claimed by my Brother’s Best Friends (Alyssa)




King

With only one full day left together, unless I can convince her to stay, I want her to see how good it could be. What she's been missing out on this entire time.

Once we arrive at the outlet, I make it my first mission to find a goddamn stroller. There's no way we're carrying around this heavy car seat all day. After searching two different baby stores, we find a purple one with grey flowers.

I'm not exactly excited to push around such a girly stroller, but Alyssa has the biggest smile on her face when she sees it, so I'll just have to suck it up.

After Zuri is sitting in her new stroller, sleeping like a princess without a care in the world, we begin our shopping. The crowd bustles around us, the air filled with the various scents of stores and food stalls. I keep a watchful eye on Alyssa, ensuring she's within arms reach at all times.

"This looks so weird, with all three of you walking with me," Alyssa mutters, her face redder than the flowers planted around the outlet.

"Relax. We're just your big brothers making sure you're safe," Niko grins, throwing an arm over her shoulders. She tenses immediately, shrugging him off. His arm falls away, and he chuckles, continuing to follow behind her.

I eye Niko suspiciously, but he just shrugs, his expression unbothered. I don't know what the fuck is going on here, but I plan to find out.

In our fourth or fifth store, Niko, Mason, and I are standing around, watching Alyssa browse through rows and rows of baby clothes. Her fingers trail over the soft fabrics, her eyes lighting up with each outfit she finds cute enough for Zuri to wear.

"You're not supposed to bring food or drinks in here," Mason mutters, nodding towards the smoothie in Niko's hand.

Niko snorts. "I wish they would tell me to get rid of it. This shit was eight dollars, and that's with this stupid paper straw that's about to piss me off."

I shoot him a stern look. "We won't start trouble here. Let our kitten shop in peace."

"Do you think this is going to make her stay?" Niko asks in a low voice, leaning against the store's window.

"No, but the least we can do is take care of her," I deadpan, my eyes never leaving her.

After two whole hours of walking around the outlet and shopping, the SUV is finally too full to fit anything else. Even beside Zuri's car seat, there are piles of bags, filled with clothes, toys, and essentials for my girls. Alyssa smiles, her eyes bright as she glances at the backseat.

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"Holy shit, King. I will definitely be paying you back for all of this once I get on my feet," she says, her voice filled with both gratitude and unease.

"No, you won't. It's our gift to you."

She falls silent for a beat before responding. "You know, I've only lived with you for a week. I don't understand why you and Niko seem so attached to me," she mutters, her voice thoughtful.

If only she knew.

When we return to my place, Alyssa eats dinner with us at the table, a feast I had Sebastian prepare while we were away for her last night here. Zuri eats in her new booster seat, enjoying making a big ass mess. I have to admit she does look cute doing it, though. Content belongs to Novelxo.org

While Niko plays with Zuri in the living room, I help Alyssa clean up. She doesn't say anything, like she's thinking too hard about something, but I leave her be. For now.

Opening up my liquor cabinet, I notice that the rest of a bottle of whiskey I recently opened is missing.

Goddammit, Niko.

"Niko, if you're going to drink my shit, at least let Sabastian know to replace it," I growl.

Out of the corner of my eye, Alyssa stiffens. It's subtle, but I still catch it.

Niko appears in the doorway of the kitchen with Zuri on his hip, grinning unapologetically. "Sorry, it was just too good. I'll let him know in the morning."

My eyes narrow, first at Niko then at Alyssa, who's face is red again despite the obvious effort she's putting in to hide it from me.

I'm sitting on

n the

couch with the

boys when Alyssa comes back

ie

downstairs from putting Zuri down a baby monitor in her hand. "I guess we're going to make sure this works," she says, shaking it stightly in her hand. Content belongs to Novelxo.org