Page 32 of Property of Spike

“I need your price,” Skip says, already pulling up one of our bank accounts and preparing to transfer the payment.

“Pro bono,” Knox says, his voice now devoid of the usual humor.“My payment is simple. You get her and that baby away from that bastard. If she needs a place to stay, let me know. I’ll talk to my president, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

“Not happening,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous.

Once I get those two back, I’m never letting them go.

“Possessive. Sexy.”

“PUP.”

“Shit, gotta go. I’ll be in touch.”

The call ends, and the room feels heavier.

“Knox seems... interesting,” Knuckles chuckles.

“I’ve only met him once,” Skip says, grinning. “He’s definitely fun to be around. Almost as crazy as me. But Taylor and I go way back. He used to be a detective, and we crossed paths during one of his assignments. Sexy as sin. It’s a shame he’s married.”

“Focus,” I growl.

“Got the meeting,” Mike says, looking up from his phone. “He can meet with me tomorrow at five.”

“Let’s hope The Obsidian can get back to us with more information before then,” I say, my jaw clenched. “I want to know why Asher’s birth records don’t exist.”

Chapter Eleven

Riley

I think I’ve made a terrible mistake coming back. But, at the same time, I don’t regret my decision. If Chuck ever finds out that they helped me, he would rain hell down on their heads. He’d give up looking for something and just lie his ass off to get them thrown in prison.

Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t done that already.

“I said, stand the fuck up,” Chuck yells, his voice seething with rage. “What kind of worthless woman are you?”

I flinch but keep my eyes on the floor, biting my lip to stop myself from crying. “I’m sorry, Chuck,” I say, trying to steady my voice, my hands shaking. “I cooked the chicken the way you like it.”

“No, you didn’t,” he snaps, his voice rising. “Now, get your fat ass up and clean up this mess. Casandra’s on her way, and we need to make plans.”

I hesitate, my heart pounding. I can’t do this anymore.

“You’re not taking my son,” I say, my voice trembling but firm. I feel the defiance rise in me, a small spark of courage.

Chuck freezes for a moment before his expression hardens into something darker. “What did you say to me?”

It’s only then I realize how badly I’ve pushed him.

“You heard me,” I say, trying to stay as calm as possible, though my hands are clammy and my stomach twists. “I’m notletting you take him. I know you plan to leave me and raise my son with someone else. I won’t let you do that. He’s MY SON.”

The words feel like a weight lifted from my chest, but I immediately regret speaking them. His face contorts into a look of pure fury, eyes flashing with an intensity I’ve seen before, but never this close to the surface.

“You really think you have a say in this?” His voice is low, deadly calm. “You’re lucky I don’t throw your ass right back out the door. You’re nothing but a fucking burden, Riley.”

I take a step back, but Chuck is faster. He grabs me by the wrist, his grip like iron, yanking me toward him. The force causes my breath to hitch, the pain in my arm flaring up.

“You’re MY property,” he growls, his words dripping with venom. “And you think you can stop me? You think you can stand in my way and have any fucking say in what happens to MY son?”

My pulse races, fear clawing at me, but I refuse to back down. I struggle to hold my ground. “I’m his mother, Chuck,” I spit, my voice shaking with both fear and anger. “I don’t care what you think you own. I won’t let you tear him from me.”

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