Page 73 of Property of Spike

I freeze.

“Chuck?” I ask, my voice betraying my shock.

She nods. “He wants to talk to you.”

And just like that, the air in the room changes.

“Oh, and I really will be fine in the bunker,” Abby adds. “I’ve learned new techniques to deal with enclosed spaces. I might just need a little help from time to time.”

“I’ll help you, Abbs,” Tank says without hesitation. “We all will.”

I catch the way he looks at her, the softness in his tone when he speaks about my sister. He’s been sweet on her since the day they met, and for whatever reason, he’s never made his move.

If he thinks I wouldn’t approve, he’s dead wrong.

Tank is one hell of a guy, and I know he’d give Abby the love and life she deserves.

But right now, none of that matters.

Chuck is on the phone.

And I need to find out what the hell he wants.

I push myself to my feet, heading for my office with my brothers behind me, the tension hanging thick in the air.

Riley’s sitting on the couch, Asher nestled against her chest, fast asleep. Her eyes are wide, a mix of concern and fear written across her face.

“Everything’s gonna be alright, baby,” I whisper, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.

I sit down behind my desk, hit the speakerphone button, and brace myself for whatever’s coming.

“Commissioner.”

“Spike,” Chuck’s voice booms through the phone, loud enough to make Riley flinch.

“What can I do for you?” I ask, trying to keep the calm in my voice, though my gut tells me this conversation is about to get a hell of a lot worse.

“How’s my son?” Chuck asks, his tone dripping with something I can’t quite place.

I don’t answer, and he laughs, an unsettling sound.

“Anyway,” he continues, “I’m just calling to warn you about a raid on your compound.”

My pulse quickens, but I force my voice to remain steady.

“What reasons would you have to raid my property?” I ask, my hand signaling to Tank to start the protocols for an impending raid.

There’s a beat of silence on the other end of the line. A game of cat and mouse.

If Chuck thinks I’m the mouse, he’s got another thing coming. I’m the fucking wolf.

“Feds are circling,” Chuck finally says, his tone almost apologetic, like he’s doing me a favor. “They’re getting close, Spike. I’m just trying to give you a heads-up.”

I can hear the fake concern in his voice, but it doesn’t faze me. He’s trying to play the worried friend, but I know better. He’s not calling to help me; he’s trying to get me rattled.

I lean back in my chair, putting my feet up on the desk. “Chuck, as long as you’ve got the proper documentation for that raid, you’re more than welcome to raid away. I’ve got nothing to hide.”

There’s a pause, and I can practically feel him trying to figure out what my response means.

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