Page 79 of Property of Spike

A chorus of clicks fills the air as they draw their weapons and aim them straight at us.

“Last chance,” Chuck calls, his smirk growing. “Open the damn gate, or I swear we will open fire.

My breath catches in my throat as I instinctively hold Asher closer. His tiny body trembles against mine, his cries muffled against my chest. My heart slams against my ribs as I glance at Tank.

His entire body is coiled so tight I think he might snap. His fists are clenched at his sides, his nostrils flaring as he breathes heavily through his nose.

Then, slowly, his gaze moves to me.

I shake my head. No.

But the fury in his eyes tells me what I already know. He has no choice.

“I’m so fucking sorry, Riley,” he says softly. “Please, forgive me.”

With deliberate slowness, Tank reaches for the keypad beside the gate. He hesitates for only a fraction of a second, like he’s contemplating tearing Chuck apart with his bare hands right then and there. But in the end, he does what he has to do.

The gate groans as it slides open.

And then, everything shatters.

The moment the gap is wide enough, the cops storm inside. They move too fast, shoving past Tank like he’s nothing more than an obstacle in their way. Before I can even react, hands rip Asher from my arms.

“No!” I scream, lunging forward, but someone wrenches me back. Strong arms twist mine behind me, and cold steel snaps around my wrists.

“Riley Hayes, you’re under arrest for the kidnapping of Asher Hayes Landry,” an officer states, his voice void of emotion. “You have the right to remain silent…”

I don’t hear the rest.

All I see is Chuck standing there, smirking, holding my son like he actually has a right to him.

Asher’s screams pierce the air, his tiny fists flailing, his face red with terror. He’s so young, but I know he’s feeling my fear. The tension in the people around him.

“Give him back!” My voice is raw, desperate. I thrash against the cuffs, not caring that I can’t break free. Not caring that I’m outnumbered.

Chuck just smirks down at me, then looks at Asher. “It’s okay, buddy,” he coos, rocking him slightly. “Daddy’s got you now.”

Something inside me snaps.

Pure, unfiltered rage overtakes the fear, overtakes the panic. I lunge again, but the cops shove me forward, forcing me toward the police cars.

Tank stands rigid, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles are white. His entire body shakes with fury, his nostrils flaring, his eyes dark and unreadable.

“You’re making a big fucking mistake,” he growls, his voice deadly calm.

Chuck chuckles. “We’ll see about that.”

And just like that, they shove me into the back of a cop car.

I barely have time to catch one last glimpse of Asher before the door slams shut, locking me away from my son.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Tank

Spike is gonna fucking kill me. And I’m gonna stand there and let him.

Chapter Twenty-Three

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