Page 49 of Property of Spike

I smirk as Riley walks out of my office, holding two bags of milk ready to be frozen.

“I’m not sure how long these can be stored,” she says, a little shy. “But I wrote today’s date on them. Maybe I can buy a baby bottle, and you can feed Asher with this supply.”

I fuckinglovethat idea.

“Maybe after a week or so,” I say, taking the bags from her. “I want him to nurse from you for a while when he gets back. You two need that bond, baby.”

She nods, chewing her lip as she watches me store the bags in the freezer.

“Maybe we should mark them,” she suggests. “What if someone grabs one by mistake? That would… make me feel weird.”

Not to mention, nobody’s taking a damn thing from my boy. That shit’shis, and that’s the end of it.

I turn toward the room and raise my voice. “Nobody fucking touches the milk in the freezer,” I announce, making sure every asshole within earshot hears me. “If a single bag comes up missing, Iwillfind out who took it, and I will hold you in place while my woman throat-punches you.Then, I’ll take my turn.”

Maverick nods solemnly. “Best listen to him. It’s kind of her thing,” he says, rubbing his throat. “I’ve witnessed the madness firsthand. You don’t want that kind of pain.”

Riley gapes at the two of us like we’ve lost our damn minds. “You two areimpossible,” she mutters, then scans the room before landing on Skip. “You’re my favorite of the day, Skip.”

Like a fucking idiot, the bastardskipsover to her, arms wide open.

“Touch her, and I’ll break your fucking arm,” I warn.

Skip freezes mid-step, pouting dramatically. “Damn it, Prez! I just wanted to give her a hug. Iamher favorite of the day, after all.”

Before I can explain to my beautiful woman that I’ll always be her favoriteeveryday, the front door swings open, and Tank walks in with my siblings.

Both of them are younger than me. Samuel by two years and Abigail by a whopping fifteen.

“I have to go,” Samuel greets quickly, already looking at his watch. “I’ve got a meeting in D.C., and if I don’t catch my flight, I’m not gonna make it.”

“Hello to you too, little brother,” I say dryly. “At least give me a damn hug before you leave.”

Shaking his head with a smirk, he steps into my waiting arms. He’s a fucking idiot for making Abby travel all this way, but I know why he did it. She wouldn’t have made the trip on her own,ever.

“This is my woman, Riley,” I say, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Next time you get a break, come stay for a while.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Riley,” he says, stepping forward to take her hand.

I shake my head once, stopping him dead in his tracks.

She asked me not to let anyone touch her, and I’ll be damned if I let that start now. Works for me. I don’t wantanyof these fuckers putting their hands on her.

“Bubby?”

At the small voice, I glance past Samuel and see my baby sister standing in the doorway, looking like she wants to be anywhere but here.

“I have to go, Abby,” Samuel tells her gently. “I’m sorry I can’t stay and help you settle in. But Bubby’s here, and he’s gonna take care of you. Love you, honey.”

With a quick hug and a glance back, he’s gone.

I press a kiss to Riley’s head before stepping away, sending a silent glare to the room, daring any of them to lay a single fucking finger on her, before I head toward my sister.

“Come here, squirt,” I say, pulling her into my arms.

Her little body trembles in my arms.

I tighten my hold, feeling just how thin she’s gotten. She’s lost weight. Too much weight. Fucking Sam. He wassupposedto be taking care of her.

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