Page 43 of Property of Spike

“Agreed,” I nod. “Let’s focus on our legal businesses and leave the rest alone for a few months. When can the tech guy meet us? I have his test ready if he’s really looking to join.”

“In an hour,” Skip says a minute later. “Or, I can have him come tomorrow.”

“An hour is fine,” I say, standing. “I hope he’s as good as the Obsidian says. His first task is to help us find Asher.”

“Oh, uh… forgot to mention,” Tank says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Your brother called again. Decided not to wait until next month. They’re driving up tomorrow. And he’s bringing your sister.”

I freeze. My jaw tightens. “My sister?” My voice comes out low and dangerous. “Why the fuck is he driving? He’s not haulingher ass across the country in a damn car. She’ll freak the fuck out. Call him back. Arrange air transport. Now.”

Tank exhales. “He said it was something about having to travel for work,” he says.

Fuck.

Abigail wouldn’t stay alone for more than a day, no matter what. She may be twenty-five years old, but life has done a number on her, leaving her afraid of damn near everything. I’ve been trying to convince her to move into the compound for over a year, but the trip itself was always the thing stopping her. And now my dumbass brother thinks strapping her into a car for hours on end is a good idea?

Not fucking happening.

Once she’s inside these walls, I’m not letting her leave.

I square my shoulders, forcing down the weight of yet another fucking problem. If I were a weaker man, I’d buckle under all this pressure.

But I’m not.

“Set up the house next to mine for Abigail,” I say, not caring who handles it. Someone will.

“Which one do you want prepared for Riley?” Max asks.

I slowly turn my head, pinning him with a glare that has him shifting uncomfortably.

Tank smirks, catching on quicker than Max. “We’ll set up Asher’s room across from yours,” he says. “Max, think before you speak. I’d rather not take over your responsibilities because you got yourself killed.”

I don’t bother responding. My mind’s already moving ahead.

“Order everything a baby needs,” I tell them. “Once Riley’s feeling better and we get our boy back, she can add whatever else he needs.”

Before I can say anything else, a scream rips through the compound.

Riley.

I don’t think.

My chair crashes to the floor as I lunge to my feet, already halfway to the door, before the others even react.

“Handle this shit, Tank!” I bark over my shoulder.

I don’t wait for an answer.

My woman needs me. And that’s exactly where I plan to be.

I rush into the office to find Riley awake and crying. Shaking, her face pale, eyes wide with fear, and it breaks my fucking heart. My body moves without thinking, rushing to her side.

“Baby,” I whisper, my voice rough and full of pain. “I’ve got you. You’re safe now. You’re with me.”

She looks up at me, and I see the exhaustion, the terror, the weight of everything she’s been through. It’s all there in her eyes, that silent plea for relief. But I don’t care. I’m gonna take every last bit of that burden from her. I’m gonna carry it all. I won’t let her bear it alone anymore. I’ll protect her from every single thing that hurts, every fear, every bit of pain that makes her feel small and broken. I’ll carry it for her.

“I’ll make sure nothing ever hurts you again, Riley. When we get Asher back, I’m not letting either of you out of my sight. You’ll never have to face another day alone. Not while I’m still breathing.”

“Spike…” Her voice is so soft, barely above a whisper, but it hits me like a freight train. Her pain, her loss, it’s suffocating. She’s not just hurting; she’s unraveling, piece by piece, and I’ll be damned if I let her fall apart like this.

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