Page 40 of Property of Spike

A slow, insidious rage creeps into my veins. That conniving son of a bitch.

He beat her senseless. Left her hospitalized. And while she was half out of it, he stole her fucking child.

I tighten my grip on her hand, my knuckles white.

“He doesn’t own him, Riley,” I swear. “I don’t give a fuck what piece of paper he made you sign. That baby is yours.”

Ours,I want to say. But I haven’t earned that right. But I fucking will. And I’ll work my ass off to earn Riley’s heart, too. Because this woman already owns mine. She did the moment I saw her. I was just too fucking stubborn and set in my ways to see that.

She shakes her head, flinching as she tries to swallow. “You don’t get it. Chuck is the law in this city.”

“Not for long,” I promise.

Because now?

Now, it’s fucking war.

***

We pull up to the gate, and I jump out to help Riley out of the car. “Careful, baby,” I warn, steadying her as she almost stumbles, standing up too fast.

Before I say another word, Alex steps forward, looking serious. “I hate to do this, but I really need to ask her some questions. Can I come in for a few?”

I shoot him a hard look. “No offense, brother, but I’m not letting a fucking cop inside my compound,” I say flatly. “Ask her your questions here, and when she’s feeling better, I’ll bring her in if you got more.”

Alex sighs. “Fine. But I’m about to turn my body camera on before I ask any questions. If you don’t want to be recorded, then you need to step away from her.

I wrap my arm around Riley, placing my hand on her hip. I’m going fucking nowhere.

Nodding, Alex turns on his body camera.

“I’ll come back in a few days to get a more thorough statement, Ms. Hayes,” he says, his tone measured but firm. “But, for now, I have to ask at least one question. Did Chuck do this to you?”

I can see it before she even tries to lie, the denial in her eyes. I lean down slightly, my voice low and dangerous. “Don’t fucking lie for him, Riley.”

I watch, seething, as Riley’s eyes flicker with a mix of fear and defiance. For a long, agonizing moment, she doesn’t answer. Then, her voice, barely above a whisper, trembles out.

“Yeah… Chuck did it. He… he hit me.”

Even though I already knew the answer, the admittance still hit me like a punch to the gut. I feel every ounce of anger surge through me, every heartbeat a promise of retribution. I clench my fists so hard that I can barely breathe.

“Fuck,” I growl, my voice raw with rage and regret.

“To clarify,” Alex says, pointing at the body camera. “Police Commissioner Charles Landry is the one who attacked you?”

“Yes,” she answers.

“Alright, Ms. Hayes,” Alex says, handing her a card. “Call me if you need anything. Before I go, would you like to place a restraining order against Charles Landry?”

“Yes,” she whispers.

Nodding, Alex reaches up and turns off his camera.

The air feels thick and suffocating. Riley’s holding onto that damn hospital paperwork like it’s the only thing keeping her upright. Her whole body trembles and I can see the devastation in her eyes. It fucking kills me.

“What about my son?” She whispers, her voice nearly gone. “He made me sign that paper. Will I ever get to see him again?”

“According to the hospital records, you never came in and gave birth,” Alex tells her. “As of right now, Asher doesn’t exist.”

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