Three Alpha Bikers Wants An Open Marriage

Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Riley’s POV

I don’t even realize when I get home. I don’t remember parking. I don’t remember unlocking the door. My body just moves on its own, carrying me inside like my mind has shut down completely. The door closes behind me, and that’s when everything hits at once.

I drop my bag on the floor without caring where it lands and head straight for my bedroom, then the bathroom, moving fast like if I stop for even a second, I’ll fall apart.

I turn the shower on cold and step under it fully clothed. The water hits me hard, knocking the breath out of my lungs, and I gasp, gripping the tiled wall to keep myself steady.

The cold hurts, and that’s exactly why I stay there.

I need something real. Something that isn’t the panic clawing at my chest and the fear sitting heavy in my stomach.

After a moment, my fingers start to fumble with my clothes. I peel off my soaked shirt and jeans, letting them drop to the floor in a wet pile, and stand there naked under the freezing water, my teeth chattering, my shoulders tense.

Slowly, my breathing starts to calm. My heartbeat stops racing so fast. I reach out and turn the knob until the water warms, not hot, just enough to stop the shaking.

When I finally step out, I grab a towel and wrap it tightly around myself, pressing my forehead to the cool mirror as I take a long, unsteady breath.

What the hell is happening to me?

Why now?

Why after all this time?

I slap my palm against my face harder than necessary, the sound echoing in the quiet bathroom.

I start pacing, back and forth on the damp mat, water dripping from my hair down my back and onto the floor, but I barely notice it. My head is spinning too fast.

I close my eyes for just a second, trying to force everything down, but that’s a mistake.

The memory comes back instantly.

Clear. Sharp. Unforgiving.

I hear her voice again, shaking and desperate, begging.

["Please don’t kill me. Please. I won’t tell anyone."]

She was on her knees in the alley, hands raised, crying so hard she could barely breathe. I was frozen behind the dumpster, too scared to move, too scared to scream. And Daphne had just stood there, watching her like she was bored, like this was nothing.

Then she smiled. A dangerous empty smile.

She stabbed her without hesitation. The knife went in deep, and when she pulled it out, blood splashed everywhere.

I remember the smell, thick, greasy and earth, the way the woman made a choking sound before she collapsed. Blood hit my arms, my face. I remember shaking so hard I thought my bones would break.

That was the first murder I ever witnessed in Crescent Hollow.

And that was the moment I learned to mind my own business.

But then she saw me.

Daphne turned her head and looked straight at me, our eyes locking across the alley. She knew instantly. She knew I had seen everything. She didn’t chase me. She didn’t even threaten me. She just stared, like she was memorizing my face.

Marking me. freewebnøvel.com

I grab the counter hard, my knuckles turning white as I open my eyes and stare at my reflection.

I look pale. Older. Tired. This isn’t supposed to be my life anymore. I was supposed to be normal. Married. Settled. Far away from Crescent Hollow and everything it took from me but what did fate reward me with? An ungrateful husband who would rather see me go down!

It’s not like I knew who my parents were, I was just brought up in an orphanage in crescent Hollow, I was told that my parents were dead.

And now my worst nightmare was back.

Not just back, but connected to them.

The CCG brothers sister ke?

My phone rings from the bedroom, the sound cutting through the silence and making me flinch. I tighten the towel around my body and rush out, water still dripping from my hair, grabbing the phone without checking who’s calling.

"Hello?" I say sharply.

There’s silence at first. Just faint breathing. Then a low grunt.

My stomach drops.

A familiar voice finally speaks.

Gunnar.

"Why does it feel like you’re naked right now?"

My throat goes dry instantly. My heart slams hard against my ribs. I glance around the room, suddenly paranoid, checking corners, the ceiling, the doorway, like I expect to see cameras staring back at me.

"What do you want?" I ask, forcing the words out.

He chuckles quietly. "Relax. You sound tense."

Before I can respond, another voice cuts in, smoother, teasing, but with something dark underneath.

It’s Caden.

"Our pretty, boring little wife ran off without saying goodbye. We thought we’d check up on you. Make sure you got home safe."

"Don’t call me that," I snap, anger flaring hot and fast in me.

They ignore me.

Then Cane speaks, his voice low and commanding.

"Get dressed, Riley. We’re going somewhere."

I stop pacing, standing still in the middle of my bedroom. "What?"

"All of us," he continues calmly.

My temper explodes. "I am someone’s wife, and you do not get to order me around like that. I’m married. Do you understand that? Fuck off."

I don’t wait for a response. I end the call, jabbing the screen harder than necessary and throwing the phone onto the bed.

My heart is racing again. How dare they talk to me like that? Like I belong to them. Like I don’t have a life of my own. I head to my closet, yanking clothes off hangers, grabbing the first comfortable outfit I see because I’m not dressing up for anyone.

My phone dings.

I freeze.

Slowly, I walk back to the bed and pick it up. The name on the screen makes my blood turn cold.

It’s Anna.

The message reads:

[How about we have fun with your friend instead since you’re not coming?] freёwebnoѵel.com

There’s a photo attached.

Fuck! Anna!

She’s walking out of the company building, keys in hand, completely unaware she’s being watched. My hand starts shaking violently as I stare at the screen.

They are threatening me with her? Just like that.

Rage and fear slam into me at the same time. Anna has nothing to do with this. She’s innocent. The only normal thing left in my shattered life right now.

My fingers move before my brain can catch up as I type and reply back to them

[I’m coming.]

The reply comes instantly. [Good girl. Wear something easy where our hands can easily crawl in]

Heat rushes to my face, disgust and fury twisting together in my chest. I turn the phone off and toss it onto the dresser.

What have you gotten yourself into Riley Grayson CEO?