Page 13 of Property of Spike

Spike

“The shipment made it through border patrol and is on its way to the warehouse,” Maverick reports. It’s six in the morning, and I didn’t get any sleep last night. Deciding not to go home in case Riley needed me, I pretty much sat at my desk all night and watched her.

“Thanks, brother,” I reply, taking a long gulp of my coffee.

Maverick’s not technically a member of the Iron Shadows. He’s what they call an Outlaw. He plays by his own rules and answers to no one. But he likes us well enough to stick around every once in a while. I’ve asked him more times than I can count to patch in, but every time, he turns me down.

“Not the type to be tied down,” he always says.

Fine by me. Patch or no patch, he’s still one of us whether the stubborn bastard admits it or not.

“What’s up with the little lass in your office?” Maverick asks, his voice cutting through my thoughts.

I glance around the room, a sigh slipping out before I answer. The Iron Shadows run four chapters in Palm Springs. The main compound, where most of the club and the officers are based, and where we’re currently at. Then we’ve got three satellite chapters scattered across our territory. Each one answers to me and follows my officers’ orders, but still, they each keeptheir own corner of things. In all, there are roughly a hundred members. Give or take a few.

Currently, I’m here with all of my officers and Maverick.

Tank, our Vice President.

Crusher, Sergent-at-arms.

Skip, Treasurer, and the craziest fucker you’ll ever meet.

Knuckles, our Road Captain.

Bones, Enforcer. One scary-ass bastard right there.

Max, Prospect Leader.

And our very own outlaw, Maverick.

Maverick’s question has the entire room at attention. I stare at him for a moment, trying to gauge his tone. The guy has always been the kind to go off on his own, never sticking around too long in one place, and yet he’s standing here, asking about her like he’s actually concerned.

“The little lass in my office?” I repeat, lifting an eyebrow. My voice is rougher than I mean it to be. “She’s not your concern, Maverick.”

He doesn’t back down, though. The Outlaw never does. His gaze stays steady, and he leans back in his chair with that lazy half-smirk he’s perfected over the years. “I wasn’t asking to get in your business, Spike. Just curious why you’re keeping her under lock and key in your office. She seems a little... lost.”

I can feel my jaw tighten, my grip on the coffee cup tightening with it. I remind myself that I trust the Outlaw with my life. “She’s fine. She needed a place to rest, and she’s got a kid with her. That’s all you need to know for now. When she’s awake, we’ll sit her down and see what she’s running from.”

I take a deep drink of my coffee, hoping the silence will push him to drop the damn subject. But of course, Maverick’s the type who doesn’t let things go, especially when they pique his interest.

He leans in, elbows on the table, his voice low but sharp. “Something’s off, Spike. I can see it. You’re not the type to just take in some random woman, no matter what the story is. What’s really going on with her?”

Fuck, I can’t explain it. I don’t even understand it myself. But something about her... it triggers something deep inside me, something primal, protective. I don’t like the feeling, but I can’t push it away either. And to hell if I’m gonna let Maverick know how much I’m already tangled up in this shit.

“She just needed a place to fucking sleep, Maverick. Would you have me turn her away, knowing a newborn is attached to her chest? Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to drop the subject.”

Maverick doesn’t say anything more, but I can tell by the look in his eyes that he isn’t convinced. He’s too damn sharp for his own good, and he knows when there’s more to a story. But I’m not about to let him dig into it.

I stand up and walk over to the window, letting my gaze drift over the compound. There are fifteen houses built inside the compound walls, with the clubhouse being the center. My plan years ago was for members to live here with their families so we can keep them safe. But most of the men with families decided to live outside of the compound. Seven of the houses are being used by myself and my officers. Who knows where the hell Maverick lives. The other houses will be available to members as they earn them.

“What’s next on the agenda?” I ask, trying to shift the focus. The club’s operations don’t stop, even with all the chaos swirling around Riley and her kid.

“The shipment’s through,” Maverick says, his tone finally shifting back to business. “Should be in the warehouse by noon. We’ll need to move it fast, but we’ve got backup from the other chapters.”

I nod, satisfied with the report. “Good. Let’s keep this clean. No mistakes. Have the eastern chapter grab the payload and get them secure. Crusher, you take point. I want those weapons sanded, polished, and ready for shipment by next week. We’ve got two hundred grand waiting on us after they’re delivered.”

“Got it,” he says.

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