Page 58 of Property of Spike

I exhale through my nose. “She’s been through enough. I’m not telling her shit until I have to.”

“You think she won’t figure it out?”

“She will,” I admit. “But I don’t want her living in fear until I know exactly what we’re dealing with.”

Silence settles over the room, thick with unspoken thoughts. I know my men agree with me, but that doesn’t make it easier.

I push back from the table. “Keep me updated. I’ll be at my house.”

I make my way out of the clubhouse and back toward my main house, my boots heavy against the ground. Four weeks of having Riley under my roof, and it still doesn’t feel real. I see her every day. Hear her laughter when Asher gets her to drop her guard. Smell the damn vanilla and citrus scent she leaves behind.

And yet, she’s still holding back.

I step into the kitchen, catching sight of her standing by the sink, staring out the window.

She senses me before I say a word, turning slowly, her eyes guarded.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

Nothing and everything.

I cross the room, reaching for a glass of water to busy my hands. “Just checking in.”

She doesn’t believe me, but she doesn’t push. And that? That tells me she already knows something is coming.

I just hope I can stop it before it gets to our doorstep.

***Riley***

“He’s just protecting you,” Abby says a few hours later, her voice gentle but firm. “It’s ingrained in him to protect his family. He won’t tell you anything that could put you in danger.”

“I get that,” I admit, rubbing my hands over my arms. “But isn’t keeping me in the dark just as dangerous? The more I know, the better I can protect myself and Asher. How am I supposed to keep us safe if I don’t even know what we’re up against?”

Abby exhales, her expression filled with understanding. “And that’s exactly the problem,” she says. “In Spike’s mind,youdon’t need to keep you and Asher safe because he’s doing it for you.”

Her words settle in my chest like a weight. “But what if something happens to him?” The thought alone steals my breath. Panic claws its way up my throat. “Oh gosh, Abby. He’s practically declaring war on Chuck and his entire department. Chuck already hates him, and the second he finds out Spike’s been keeping us hidden, he’s going to lose it. If Spike gets caught in the crossfire…”

My pulse spikes. The room tilts. Black spots cloud my vision, swallowing everything.

The last thing I hear is Abby’s voice calling my name before the darkness takes over.

Distant voices pull me from the darkness, muffled at first like I’m underwater. My head feels too heavy, my body sluggish as I struggle to piece together where I am.

“What the fuck happened?” The deep, familiar growl slices through the haze, sending a ripple of awareness through me. Spike. He sounds frantic, his voice sharp with barely contained panic.

“She just fainted, Bubby,” Abby’s voice is calmer, soothing. “I think it was a panic attack. She worked herself up too much.”

There’s a rustling sound, then the warmth of a large, calloused hand cups my cheek. “Riley, baby, open your eyes. Come on.” The demand in his voice is rough, edged with desperation.

I try. I really do. My eyelids feel like lead, but after a few blinks, I manage to crack them open. Everything is blurry, the overhead light too bright, but I can make out his face hovering over mine. His jaw is clenched so tight I can see the muscle twitching, his brows drawn low in worry.

“There she is,” Abby murmurs, relief lacing her tone. “Just breathe, Riley. You’re okay.”

I try to sit up, but Spike’s hands are on me instantly, keeping me in place. “No. Stay down.” His voice is gentler now, but there’s no mistaking the authority behind it.

My throat is dry when I speak. “What… happened?”

“You passed out, baby,” Spike answers before Abby can. “Scared the shit out of me.” His thumb sweeps across my cheek, his touch surprisingly tender despite the frustration vibrating off him. “You wanna tell me what the hell had you so worked up?”

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