Page 89 of Property of Spike

Spike and the club move in fast, their presence swallowing the warehouse in an instant. As soon as I see Riley safe in Spike’s arms, I let out a slow breath.

Chuck is tossed into the trunk like the trash he is, tied up just as promised. Riley is gently settled into the car.

Spike takes a moment to look around. It’s nearly midnight now, so I know he can’t see me, but I swear he looks right at me. For a few moments, he simply stares at the spot I’m hiding before giving a single nod and sliding into the backseat of the car with Riley.

And just like that, they’re gone.

My heart cracks as they all drive away.

My friends. My family.

All gone because my fucking mother sold herself to the devil.

Her death resulted in a transfer of her debts. I was almost fucking done. I’ve been handing over buyer information for over a year now. I always made sure the buyers were sick fucks before doing so, and I was always adamant that the Shadows were never to be touched.

Well, they fucked up. They put my family in danger. Even if Spike hates me, I will still get my revenge for them being targeted.

Los Fantasma’s, the fucking Ghosts, are going down.

Even if it’s the last thing I’ll ever do.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Spike

“Is it going to scar?” Riley asks from our bed, her voice laced with exhaustion.

Patch doesn’t hesitate as he threads the needle through her torn skin. “Some spots will,” he admits. “I’ll get you a cream that should help.”

My fists clench at my sides. Seeing the mess Chuck made of her precious skin has me seeing red all over again. And don’t even get me started on the bruises.

The only reason I’m not with Bones, Tank, and Knuckles right now and making sure ourguestis comfortable is because I can’t bring myself to leave her side.

Once we made it back to the compound and Riley regained consciousness, it took a full five minutes just to calm her down enough to explain that Chuck no longer had Asher. Even then, she didn’t believe it until she saw him with her own eyes. Only then did she agree to let Patch work on her back.

And now, watching her tremble beneath the doc’s hands, watching silent tears slip onto our bed, I feelhelpless.

“Can you give her another shot?” I ask, my voice tight. “She’s in pain.”

Patch shakes his head as he keeps working. “She can’t feel a thing I’m doing, Prez.”

That doesn’t matter.She’s still hurting.Even if it isn’t physical.

Shrugging off my cut, I shift onto my side, bringing myself closer to her. I reach out, wiping away a tear before it can disappear into the pillow.

“Everything is okay, baby,” I murmur. “Chuck will never lay another hand on you again.”

She blinks up at me, her eyes hazy but sharp with something I don’t quite expect.

“You have to let him go, Spike,” she whispers. “If he disappears, this place will be the first place they look.”

I shake my head. “Foster already took care of it.”

Her brow furrows. “What do you mean?”

“Chuck was planning on retiring. He put in his notice weeks ago,” I explain. “After Foster embarrassed him at the station, people will assume he left town. Moved away. Foster is making sure there’s a paper trail to follow, just in case.”

“So… he’s gone?”

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