Page 47 of Property of Spike

“I’ll do it,” Spike says immediately.

“And by that, he meansI’lldo it,” Maverick cuts in, his tone firm.

I want to fight them both. I want to stand up and sayno, I’m his mother. I should be the one to bring him home. But the truth is, I know Spike won’t allow it. I can barely stand without shaking. The thought of facing Chuck again makes me want to curl into a ball and disappear.

“The fuck you will,” Spike growls. “That’s my son. I’m the one bringing him home.”

“And I’mnotaffiliated with the club,” Maverick reminds him. “You walk in there, and Chuck’s gonna know exactly where Riley and Asher are. Let me handle it, brother.”

The rest of their conversation fades into background noise as the tears finally spill down my face. The relief is too much. My body shakes under the weight of it, and before I can even process what’s happening, I feel myself being lifted into strong arms.

Spike.

He carries me like I weigh nothing, his grip solid and unyielding. I don’t fight it. I just bury my face against his chest and let it happen.

“If my son is inside this compound tomorrow like you said,” Spike says, his voice filled with quiet authority, “you’re fucking hired.”

“Want to be a member?” Max asks as I feel Spike’s chest vibrate with a chuckle.

“Not sure,” Foster replies. “Let me think about it.”

I sniffle. “My boobs hurt.”

Spike shifts me in his arms. “We’ll get you in a hot shower, baby.”

I hear some amused chuckles, but I don’t care. The moment the door closes behind us, muting the voices of the club, I feel the exhaustion set in deep.

“When we get our boy back,” Spike murmurs, carrying me through the building and back into his office, “I’ll tell you what I was dreaming about.”

I manage a small smile, adjusting in his hold until I’m sitting comfortably against his lap when he lowers himself onto the couch.

“Even though Chuck is a monster, I know he isn’t hurting Asher,” I admit. “Every time he looked at him, he seemed happy. I’m not afraid for Asher’s immediate safety. I just want my baby back. I want my son in my arms.”

“Soon, baby.”

“Yes,” I whisper.

Spike exhales, tightening his hold on me. “Tomorrow, you and Asher are moving in with me.”

I huff a small laugh, shaking my head. “You’re making decisions for me now?”

“Damn right, I am,” he grunts. “I don’t want to hear shit about it being too soon. You’re mine. Asher’s mine. And you will be in my bed for the rest of your fucking life.”

“I don’t really want to be outside of the compound walls,” I admit.

“Our house is inside the compound, baby,” he tells me. “It’s less than a minute walk away.”

Despite everything, I giggle. “Alright,” I whisper, not really wanting to fight him anyway. I’ve felt safer with Spike since I’ve met him than I have in my entire life. Maybe I was always meantto end up here. I just had to take a detour to bring Asher into the world first.

“The reason I always fell asleep in your office,” I admit softly, “was because it was your space. I knew I could rest there when you weren’t around. I felt… safe.”

Spike strokes his fingers down my spine. “Then don’t fight me on this.”

“I won’t,” I say. “On one condition.”

I feel his smile against the top of my head. “What’s that?”

“What’s your real name?”

---