Page 83 of Property of Spike

Tank looks at me, and for the first time since we pulled up, I see a flicker of hope in his eyes. His shoulders straighten, the weight of guilt lifting just a little, replaced by the resolve that I know will carry us forward.

“I’ll fix this, Spike. I swear to you, I’ll fix this.”

I look down at Asher in my friend’s giant paws and smile. The anger still simmers in my blood, but it’s replaced by the sense of purpose that’s always come when I fight for what’s mine. My family. And we’re getting Riley back.

“We’re gonna bring her home, Tank,” I say, my voice steady. “We’ll get her back, and nothing… nothing…is gonna stop me.”

Tank nods, a fierce glint in his eyes. He might have been on his knees a moment ago, but he’s standing tall now, ready tofight. I can see it in the set of his jaw. The man who would burn the world down to protect his brothers.

“I’m with you, Spike,” Tank says, his voice hard with determination. “When she comes home, I’m locking them inside the compound for the next five years.”

I laugh at Tank’s ridiculous promise but can’t help but agree. I’ll get my woman back. And when we do, when Riley’s in my arms again, and they’re both safe, there won’t be a force on this earth strong enough to take them from me. Not ever again.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Riley

I can’t believe I’m sitting in a jail cell.

They didn’t even put me in the cage with the other women. Instead, they shoved me to the back, isolating me in a tiny, cold cell, the door slamming shut behind me with a finality that sent a chill down my spine.

Tank’s face as I was forced into the car flashes in my mind. I’ve never seen him so furious. But it was more than anger…it was a fire, a silent promise of death as he glared at Chuck.

Even I was scared.

A slow clap echoes through the hallway, dragging me out of my thoughts.

“Well, well, well. Looks like we’ve finally gotten some time to ourselves.”

Chuck’s voice slithers into the room like poison, making me jump.

I whip my head toward the bars, my stomach churning at the sight of him standing there, that smug, insufferable smirk plastered across his face.

“No need to be so jumpy, Riles. I just want to talk.”

My throat tightens, but I force out the only question that matters. “Where’s my son?” My voice is barely a whisper.

Chuck’s smirk widens. “Myson is at home with his new mommy.” His tone is light like he’s discussing the weather. Then his expression darkens, his next words slicing straight through me. “You’ll never see him again.”

I suck in a sharp breath, my body going rigid as he pulls a set of keys from his pocket and unlocks the door.

Panic claws at my chest. “You can’t come in here,” I say, my voice shaking as I instinctively press myself against the farthest wall, my hands bracing against the cold metal behind me.

Chuck steps inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click that feels deafening in the silence.

His grin turns cruel. “In case you’ve forgotten,Iown the Palm Springs police department.” He chuckles, the sound dripping with arrogance. “I can do whatever the hell I want.”

And as he takes another step closer, the walls of my tiny prison feel like they’re closing in.

His voice drops lower, sending a chill down my spine. “And Riles? I plan to do alot.”

I barely have time to process his words before his fist slams into my jaw. My head snaps to the side, pain exploding through my skull as I stumble, my legs giving out beneath me.

Before I can scramble away, his boot collides with my ribs. A sickeningcrackechoes through the tiny cell, but I can’t focus on it. I can’t focus on anything except forcing air into my lungs.

Another kick. Then another. My back. My side. My legs. My head.

I curl into myself, arms shielding my face as best I can, but it doesn’t matter. The blows keep coming, relentless and punishing.

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