Page 48 of Property of Spike

His chest rumbles with laughter. “Ethan Turner.”

I smile. “Nice to meet you, Ethan Turner.” I pause, then tilt my head. “Now, tell me. Why did you freeze in there earlier?”

Spike groans, dragging a hand down his face. “Because I was picturing your tits engorged with milk.”

My mouth drops open.

He smirks unapologetically. “I had this image of you sitting naked in our bed while I squeezed your nipples to relieve the pressure.”

“You daydreamed that you were milking me?” I laugh, even as warmth spreads through me. “Caveman.”

“I accept caveman status,” he chuckles, shifting so I’m tucked securely against him. “Now, get some sleep. I need to be well-rested. I’ve got revenge to plan.”

“We’re getting Asher back,” I remind him. “Why are you still plotting revenge?”

His entire body tenses. “Because that motherfuckerbeatmy woman,” he growls. “I’m gonna make sure he fucking pays.”

“He’s gonnabegme for mercy,” Bones’ voice suddenly cuts in as he waltzes into the room, “while I peel his skin from his fucking bones.”

I shudder. Not because I’m scared of what he’s saying but because I’m not scared at all. Andthatterrifies me.

“Graphic,” I say.

“How do you think he got his name, baby?” Spike murmurs, running a hand down my back.

I glance over at Bones, watching as he leans casually against the wall. “Interesting choice of hobby,” I say. “Is it hard to peel someone?”

Bones smirks. “Not if you have the right tools.”

“Oh my,” I mutter.

“Anyway,” Bones continues like he wasn’t just discussing skinning someone, “your siblings are about five hours out, Spike. I’ll wake you when they’re an hour away.”

“You have siblings?” I ask as Bones disappears down the hall.

“A brother and sister,” Spike says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Samuel travels a lot for work, but my little sister, Abigail… she’s different.”

“Different, how?”

Spike sighs. “She’s been through some bad shit. Has a ton of triggers. One of them is vehicles. This trip is gonna wreck her.”

My heart aches. “We’ll help her,” I promise. “When Asher gets back, he’ll help her too. Babies are magical when it comes to a broken woman.”

Spike lets out a deep breath. “Thank you, baby. My little sister means the world to me. And knowing that my girl, my fucking universe, will be there for her? That means everything. And when we get our boy back, he’s gonna heal her heart.”

I swallow hard. “We’re getting Asher back,” I whisper, fresh tears falling. “Please, please, please let this work.”

Spike pulls me tighter against him, shifting until we’re lying down. His body surrounds mine as he moves me to lay between him and the back of the couch. His warmth presses against every inch of me, shielding me from everything else.

“Sleep, baby,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you.”

And with a deep breath, I close my eyes and actually believe it.

He truly does have me.

Chapter Fourteen

Spike

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