Three Alpha Bikers Wants An Open Marriage

Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Riley’s POV

Everything happened so fast that my body reacted before my mind could catch up.

One moment, I was pinned to the conference table with my pulse screaming danger, and the next, I was seated at the far end of it, my spine straight, hands folded neatly in front of me like nothing had happened at all. CEO Riley Grayson. Composed. Unshaken. Untouchable.

I didn’t know how they did it.

Gunnar had stepped back instantly. Cane had smoothed his suit jacket. Caden had taken two lazy steps away, his expression already bored. It was as if the last few minutes had been erased from existence.

And the doors burst open.

Ethan walked in first, confident as always, flanked by two senior executives from finance and operations. His smile was already in place, relaxed and pleased, like this meeting was a formality he’d already won.

"Gentlemen," Ethan said, spreading his arms slightly. "You’re early."

Cane laughed, warm and familiar, stepping forward to clasp Ethan’s hand. "Couldn’t wait to see you, brother. Figured we’d surprise you."

Gunnar followed, gripping Ethan’s shoulder in an easy way that screamed history. "You always complain we’re late. Thought we’d change things up this time."

Caden gave a short nod. "Traffic was kind."

I watched it all with a neutral expression, my nails pressing into the soft skin of my palm under the table. Best friends. That was clear now. Too clear.

Ethan finally turned to me, smiling wider. "Riley, I know you must know the guys, right?"

Oh, of course I know, who doesn’t?

"I do," I said calmly, my voice steady enough to fool anyone who hadn’t seen me moments ago. "Since we’re all here for business, I suggest we take our seats and begin."

I gestured toward the table, trying to sound firm..

The executives exchanged quick glances and moved immediately, pulling out chairs. Ethan hesitated for half a second, then nodded and took the seat closest to me.

Cane, Gunnar, and Caden took their places across from us unbothered...

I clasped my hands together. "Before we start, I’d like an explanation."

Ethan frowned slightly. "An explanation for what?"

"For why investors were invited to my company without my knowledge," I said, turning my head slowly to look at him. "I don’t recall approving any meetings. And I certainly don’t recall being informed."

One of the executives shifted in his seat. The room went quiet.

Ethan chuckled lightly. "Riley, it wasn’t a big deal. I was handling it. These are my friends. I told you I was bringing in external investors to help raise capital."

"They came before but circumstances we didn’t get to meet, you didn’t tell me they would return again" I corrected, my tone controlled but sharp. "And you also know that any formal discussion involving investments requires my consent."

Caden leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "She’s right."

Ethan blinked, surprised.

Cane smiled faintly, eyes flicking to me. "We like things clean and transparent."

Ethan recovered quickly. "Of course. That’s why we’re here now."

I nodded once. "Good. Then let’s be clear."

I straightened, projecting calm authority. "This company doesn’t need saving. Our growth is steady and stable. Our profits are solid. We are not desperate. Any investment we accept will be strategic, not personal, and it will not compromise control."

Gunnar’s lips twitched. "You don’t mince words."

"I don’t need to," I replied back to him at once.

I pushed my chair a bit away and brought out a folder from under the small cupboard in the conference table and slid the folder across the table. "These are the projections you might need to see. Review them."

They flipped through a page. Cane glanced at them briefly before setting the folder aside untouched. frёeωebɳovel.com

"We already reviewed these," he said.

Ethan smiled, clearly pleased. "See? I told you they were serious."

"And?" I asked, looking directly at Cane now.

Cane leaned forward, forearms resting on the table. "We’re interested."

"Interested doesn’t mean accepted," I said. "What are your terms?"

That was when everything shifted. Caden spoke first. "We invest, but decision-making authority is consolidated."

One of the executives frowned. "Consolidated how?"

"Through one person," Gunnar said calmly.

I felt Ethan stiffen beside me.

I tilted my head. "One person meaning?"

Cane’s eyes met mine intentionally "You."

The room went still. Ethan turned sharply. "What?"

I didn’t react outwardly but inside, I could already feel my ribs burning.

What were these men playing at?

"Explain," I said.

Cane’s voice was smooth. "We don’t do divided leadership. We don’t want internal power struggles as not to affect us as well. One voice. One final call which is the CEO."

"That’s already how it works," I said.

Caden shook his head. "Not officially. Your husband still holds leverage. Shares and Influence."

Ethan laughed. "That’s ridiculous. I’m her partner."

"And that’s the problem," Gunnar said flatly.

The executives exchanged uneasy looks, not understanding what they meant.

I turned to Ethan. "You didn’t mention this."

Ethan’s jaw tightened. "Because this isn’t what we discussed."

Cane shrugged. "Plans change Ethan"

I exhaled slowly. "You’re proposing an investment that reduces my husband’s stake."

"Yes," Caden said.

Interesting indeed, I don’t even know if I should enjoy this or not..

"That will strip him of any final authority we know but that’s how we do things," Gunnar added.

I looked at Ethan fully now. His face had gone tight, eyes hard.

"This was supposed to increase my stakes," he snapped. "You said—"

"We said we’d invest," Cane interrupted. "Not that we’d make you king, your wife is the CEO here isn’t she?"

Silence stretched and I folded my hands again. "Numbers."

Caden slid a document forward. "Your shares remain untouched."

The executives stared at each other.

Ethan stood up abruptly. "That’s not happening."

I didn’t look away from the paper. "Sit down."

Ethan froze at my words.

I lifted my gaze slowly. "Sit. Down." I repeated again.

He hesitated, then did, his anger barely contained.

I scanned the document carefully. It was airtight clean and ruthless.

"This gives me full control indeed," I said.

"Yes," Cane replied.

"And removes any internal conflict," Gunnar said.

I closed the file. "You blindsided him."

"We trust you’d see the logic," Caden said.

I turned to Ethan. "You should have talked to me first before you planned this..shouldn’t you?."

His mouth opened, then closed.

One of the executives cleared his throat. "From a governance standpoint, this actually stabilizes the company."

Ethan shot him a glare.

I nodded. "It does."

I met Cane’s gaze again and leaned back in my chair. "The terms are acceptable." I said and drew in a breath.

"I accept the deal, let’s move to signing"