Page 65 of Property of Spike

Tank lifts the half-eaten spud in salute. “I’m a big guy. Need the fuel.”

“Every single one of you are big guys,” I remind him. “I’m not even sure we have enough chicken to feed you all.”

Spike tightens his arm around my waist, completely content as he watches the chaos unfold.

I shake my head, laughing as Skip dramatically flops onto a chair, arms crossed like a petulant child. He, too, a giant man, makes the act even more hilarious. “You know, Prez, I could be your favorite if you just gave me a chance.”

Spike deadpans. “I’d rather give Chuck a hug.”

The room explodes with laughter, and as I lean into Spike, I watch as Skip bends his head to hide his grin.

“Is there a rule that all Iron Shadows have to be large?” I ask. “Why is it that every single one of you looks as if you spend your every waking moment in a gym?”

“You checking out my brothers, baby?” Spike growls. “Because if you are, I have to feed a bullet to every last one of them.”

“She’s not wrong,” Abby blushes. “You’re all like mountains. I think it’s why I feel so safe here.”

I glance over at Abby and smile in understanding.

“Yeah,” I agree. “They’re like our shields.”

Skip straightens up at my words, puffing out his chest. “Damn right, I’m a shield. Best one you got.”

“You?” Maverick snorts. “More like a decorative fence.”

The whole room bursts into laughter as Skip glares at him. “Adecorative fence?” he repeats, scandalized. “I’ll have you know, I am afortress. Impenetrable. Unbreakable. A damn tank.”

“I don’t know, man,” Crusher chimes in, smirking. “You screamed pretty loud last week when that raccoon got into the clubhouse.”

Skip scowls. “That wasn’t a scream. That was a battle cry.”

“Oh, sure,” Tank says, taking another bite of his raw potato. “Real warrior-like.”

Abby giggles beside me, and I shake my head. “Well, fortress or not, I’m not sure we have enough chicken for everyone.”

Maverick stretches, cracking his knuckles. “Well, I guess we could always send Skip to get more food.”

“Why me?” Skip protests.

“Because of your warrior status, of course,” Maverick shoots back, grinning.

“Ihatethis club,” Skip mutters, but he’s laughing too. “Don’t forget that I’m in charge of all of your money.”

Bones, still holding Asher, smirks just the tiniest bit.

The room is filled with laughter, teasing, and a warmth that feels like home. Yeah… these men may be mountains, but they’reourmountains. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Spike looks down at me, and despite the laughter on his face, I can still see the worry in his eyes. He must have seen or heard my conversation with Abby, and that’s why he ended the meeting before it even started. I know deep down in my heart that this group came in here to cheer me up.

Asher decides now is a great time to make room in his tummy for lunch number three. The sound coming from his little bottom even makes me cringe. Bones lifts Asher and kisses his head before walking over to Skip.

“Little tyke wants his favorite uncle,” he says, placing Asher in Skip’s arms and walking away.

Much to Skip’s disgust, Asher takes a deep breath and finishes his business.

Skip stares down at Asher, his face twisted in betrayal. “Unbelievable. First, I get demoted to decorative fence, and now I’m just a human diaper station?”

Tank slaps him on the back, grinning. “Tough break, favorite uncle.”

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