Page 35 of Property of Spike

Maverick just smirks. “Trust me?”

Fuck.

I clench my jaw, then give him a single nod.

“This is my friend, Alex,” Maverick says. “He’s safe. I give you my word he’s trustworthy.”

I don’t like it. I don’t trust cops, and for damn good reason. But I trust Maverick.

The so-called friend, Alex, steps closer. His hands rest casually on his belt, but he doesn’t radiate the usual smugness I associate with most cops. He’s watching me closely, but not like I’m the enemy. More like he’s weighing his words.

“Maverick told me what’s going on,” Alex says. “And I’m not the least bit surprised the Commissioner is involved in this. The guy is shady as fuck, and I’m not the only officer who doesn’t trust him.”

I narrow my eyes, crossing my arms. “So why are you here?”

Maverick answers before Alex can. “Alex pulled some strings and got assigned to Riley’s case.”

“What the fuck for?” My patience is wearing thin.

“She told the doctor she was mugged,” Alex explains. “The hospital is required to report cases like this, so we were called in. If she’s stable, I can pull her from the hospital and take her in for questioning.”

“Not. Fucking. Happening.” The words come out as a growl, my body practically vibrating with anger.

Alex doesn’t even flinch. “Or,” he continues, “I can have her discharged and escorted to a safe location. I’ll bring her to the car where you will be waiting. But no matter what, I still have to ask her a few questions.”

“She’ll just lie,” Bones says, speaking up for the first time. His voice is sharp, edged with something dark. “She won’t say shit about Chuck.”

Alex tilts his head. “You think she’s protecting him?”

Bones scoffs. “No. I think she’s protecting everyone else.” His voice lowers, and the weight of his words sinks into my chest. “That bastard holds a lot of power and can destroy a lot of lives. Riley knows that.”

I clench my fists, my teeth grinding together so hard I swear I taste blood.

Riley went back to hell to protect us. It’s not her job to protect me. It’s my fucking job to protect her. And I’m doing a shit poor job of it.

I’m about to burn the whole fucking city down to bring her home.

“I’m gonna need you in control if we want this plan to work without any complications,” Alex continues. “Any markings to indicate your club need to be taken off or hidden. If, for some reason, you need to enter the hospital, leave your guns in the car. They will be detected if you bring them through the doors.”

I don’t like this. Not one fucking bit.

Walking into a hospital, unarmed, with Chuck’s men probably watching? It’s a recipe for disaster. But if this is the only way to get Riley out of there, I don’t have a choice.

My jaw flexes. “Fine. But the second something feels off, I’m going in, and I don’t give a fuck who sees me.”

Alex, looking down at his phone, nods. “Alright, we need to go. I want to get her out of there before the Commissioner shows up.”

Bones and I jump in the back of the car, and Maverick pulls out of the driveway.

“Her medical report just came through,” Alex says reluctantly.

“What does it say?” I demand.

“Is he stable?” he asks Maverick.

“I’m very close to not being,” I warn. “What the fuck does it say?”

Alex exhales sharply, “It’s bad,” he admits. “Worse than I expected.”

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