Page 75 of Property of Spike

“The prospects,” I say, my grip on Asher tightening. “Max personally vetted and chose every single one of them.”

The room falls into silence, the weight of the revelation pressing down hard.

“What are the chances,” I continue, my voice low, “that he planted some of them as spies?”

Silence stretches across the room as the weight of my words sinks in.

“We need Max’s records,” I say, my voice hard. “I want a full list of every prospect he’s brought in. I want to know where they came from, how long they’ve been here, and which chapter they’re at now.”

“I’ll dig into it,” Foster says immediately. “He kept files on every single one. I just need access to his laptop or his hard copies.”

“Start with his office at the tattoo shop,” I order. “If we don’t find anything there, search his house.”

“On it.” Foster nods and turns to leave just as Riley steps into the office, a warm bottle in her hands.

The tension in my body eases slightly at the sight of her. She crosses the room, her eyes locking onto mine, reading the storm brewing inside me. But she doesn’t ask questions. Instead, she gives me what I need.

Her steady presence.

“Here,” she murmurs, handing me the bottle before crouching beside my chair. “Let me help.”

I adjust Asher in my arms, feeling clumsy as hell. He’s so damn small, and this is the first time I’m feeding him from a bottle.

Riley gently places her hand over mine, guiding the nipple to Asher’s mouth. It takes him a few moments to accept the new nipple, but then he latches on, his little hands gripping my fingers.

“There you go,” Riley whispers, her voice soft with affection. “Just like that.”

A strange sensation settles in my chest. Something warm, something grounding. It’s not just about Asher taking his first bottle. It’s about this moment. Having Riley beside me, steadying me, while the world outside this office threatens to burn down.

I exhale slowly, my focus narrowing to the tiny life in my arms.

For just a second, everything else – Max, Chuck, the raid, the traitor – fades into the background.

For just a second, all that matters is my son.

“I love you, boy,” I murmur, staring down at the tiny bundle in my arms. “I hope you know that I’ll always have your back.And so will all of your crazy, overprotective uncles. You’re gonna grow up knowing exactly what it means to be fiercely loved.”

Riley sniffles beside me, and I glance down to see her trying and failing to blink back tears.

Smiling, I reach out with my free hand and brush my fingers over her cheek. “And I love you, Riley. As much as I hate how it happened, I’m really fucking glad you ran into my life.”

She huffs out a soft laugh. “More like bulldozed.”

“Same thing.”

Before she can respond, Skip clears his throat dramatically. “What about me, Prez? Do you love me?”

I shake my head, biting back a grin. “For some crazy reason… yeah. I love you too, Skip.”

He smirks, turning to the others. “You hear that, losers? I’m his favorite brother.”

“Hardly,” Maverick scoffs from where he’s still leaning against the doorframe. “That would be me.”

Skip snorts. “Oh, puh-lease. You don’t count,Outlaw.”

Maverick just smirks. “Keep telling yourself that.”

Across the room, Tank watches the exchange with quiet amusement, his arms crossed over his chest like he’s enjoying a damn soap opera. Bones, on the other hand, just sits there, arms resting on his knees, expression blank, and indifferent to the playful bickering. But I know better.

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