Page 61 of Property of Spike

Asher is content in my arms, his tiny fingers curled around my finger as we walk slowly along the grounds. The air is warm,the sound of the birds singing soothing, but the tightness in my chest doesn’t loosen.

I stop near the gate, taking in the sights of the compound. The security guards are stationed at their posts, eyes scanning the area. This place is like a fortress. From an outsider’s perspective, it’s a scary no-go zone. But, from in here? It’s warmth. Safety. Protection.

But then my gaze shifts to the car parked outside the gate. My heart lurches when I recognize the vehicle.

Chuck’s black SUV.

My pulse jumps.

For a moment, it feels like the world freezes. The man who’s been hunting me, hunting us, has shown his face. I can see the outline of his figure behind the tinted windows, watching me. The feeling of being trapped settles in my chest, but I try not to show it. I keep Asher pressed to my chest, my eyes locked on the gate.

I don’t move. I don’t want to make a scene, don’t want to draw attention. But I can feel the weight of his eyes through the glass.

For a split second, he’s just there, unmoving, watching me like I’m prey. The air feels thick, heavy, and my heartbeat is all I can hear in my ears.

As I stand there, the car still idling outside the gate, the realization hits me like a punch to the stomach. Chuck found us.

The tension that crawls up my spine feels suffocating, but I don’t dare turn away. Not yet. Not when I’m afraid of what might happen next.

I feel Spike behind me before I even hear his voice. The heat radiating from him is undeniable, like a storm gathering in the distance, and I know he’s already assessed the situation.

“Riley…”

His voice is low and dangerous, but I can’t bring myself to speak. I don’t want to admit how close I am to losing control.

I finally look at him, my breath shaky. “It’s Chuck. He’s here.”

Spike’s jaw tightens as his eyes narrow. He’s already seen the car, already knows what’s coming. His hand grips my shoulder, spinning me to face him.

“Stay close to me, baby,” he says, his voice like gravel, rough with the need to protect. His eyes flash with fury as his gaze shifts to the gate, where Chuck’s SUV sits, too still, too quiet.

“I don’t care who he is. He’s not getting near you. Not now, not ever,” Spike growls as he reaches for his ever-present gun.

But before I can react, the sound of a door slamming shut rings out from the other side of the gate. My heart skips in my chest. Chuck is out of the car.

Spike moves to step forward, but I place my hands on his chest. “Spike, wait.”

He looks down at me, his expression hard, but I can see the conflict in his eyes.

“I don’t care what he says, Riley. This ends today.”

But I shake my head, my voice barely a whisper. “He’s still a cop. He can have you arrested, Spike. Don’t do anything that will give him that advantage.”

Spike’s eyes flash with barely contained rage, but I can feel the tension in his body ease just slightly. He doesn’t want to back down. I don’t want him to. But I can’t let him put himself in a position where Chuck can use the law against him.

Reluctantly, he tucks his gun away.

We stand there for a moment, silent, before I hear Chuck’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

“Well, well, well, look who finally found a new plaything. Riley, you slut. You couldn’t even wait until I was out of the picture, could you?”

The venom in his words makes my blood run cold, but I won’t let him see the effect it has on me. I won’t. I keep my back to him,my front plastered against Spike, Asher tucked safely between us.

“Guess the baby wasn’t enough for you, huh? Just had to go and fuck some other guy, didn’t you? I knew you were nothing but a whore.”

Chuck sneers, his voice loud and dripping with disdain.

Spike’s entire body goes rigid, his hand tightening into a fist. The sound of his breath going steady, trying to keep his temper in check, fills my ears.

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