Page 38 of Property of Spike

I pull back immediately, my stomach twisting in ways I don’t fucking understand. She doesn’t trust that I won’t hurt her.

And maybe she’s right.

Because right now, I want to hurt someone. I want to find Chuck Landry and end him. I want to make him feel every ounce of pain he’s inflicted on her a hundred times over.

But first, I need to get her out of here.

Because if I don’t do it now, I might never get the chance.

“Baby,” I say around the knot in my throat. “I’m so fucking sorry. Please, let me take you back home.”

Tears fall down her eyes, but she doesn’t make a noise.

“Please, baby girl,” I beg. “Please, let me hide you away.”

“Asher,” she whispers.

“I swear on my life that I will get him back,” I tell her fiercely. “I won’t stop until he’s home with us.”

“Do you think he’s in danger with his father?” Alex asks.

Riley shrinks into the bed at seeing the man.

“I hate that fucking man with everything I am,” he says quietly. “I only hope that we can link those prints on your precious throat to the Commissioner so we can finally get his ass off his high horse and tossed in a prison cell for the rest of his life.”

Her eyes widen in panic.

“Mug,” she says.

“Don’t Riley,” I growl. “We know you weren’t fucking mugged. Let’s talk about this later. Come with me and trust me to get your boy back?”

I hold out my hand and hold my breath. If she says no, I don’t trust myself to walk away. I won’t. I’ll carry her ass out of this building kicking and screaming if I have to.

After a few moments, she places her hand in mine.

Sighing in relief, I lean forward and gently kiss her forehead.

“Thank you, baby,” I whisper. “I only hope you can forgive me for saying the shit I did. I won’t give you any excuses. Just know that I’ll never do it again.”

“I’ll go and get a chair and have her paperwork expedited,” Alex says.

I tighten my grip on Riley’s hand, careful not to squeeze too hard. She looks so fucking breakable right now, and I hate it. I hate that I let this happen. That I was the reason she walked back into hell.

Her fingers tremble in mine, but she doesn’t pull away. That’s something.

Alex steps out of the room, leaving us alone, and I take the opportunity to crouch beside her bed, leveling our eyes.

“Riley,” I say softly, but my voice still comes out rough as hell. Raw. “We’re leaving as soon as your paperwork’s done, but I need you to tell me the truth about Asher. Where is he?”

Her breath shudders, and her lips part slightly like she wants to answer, but then she just closes her eyes.

No.

I can’t fucking take that.

“Baby girl,” I beg, my voice dropping lower. “Please. I need to know.”

She swallows hard, her throat working against the bruises, and when she finally opens her eyes, there’s something in them that guts me.

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