Page 90 of Property of Spike

Not yet.

But he will be.

“He’ll never bother you again, baby.”

She doesn’t press for more. We lapse into silence as Patch continues, and I make it my mission to wipe away every tear before it reaches her pillow.

Finally, Patch leans back and strips off his gloves. “She’ll need to sleep on her stomach for at least a week,” he instructs. “No bathing until tomorrow, and nothing on her back that could pull at the stitches. She has a broken rib, but there isn’t anything we can do about that except pain management until it heals. The pain will be a hell of a lot worse when she wakes up, but that’s normal. Call me if it doesn’t get a bit better over the next week.”

I nod, but Riley is the one who surprises me.

“Why don’t you live here?” she asks softly, glancing up at Patch.

He scoffs, already packing his supplies. “Not much of a people person. However, I hope you and that tiny boy plan to stick around.”

“We do,” she says without hesitation. “I just hope you’ll come around so we can get to know you.”

Patch pauses for a moment, then nods. “Just call if you need me, and I’ll come if I can.”

Turning for the door, he mutters, “No sleeping on that back, woman. Got it?”

“Got it,” she smiles. “Thanks, Patchy.”

Grunting, he leaves the room.

Riley shifts slightly, careful not to move too much. I can tell the numbing shot is starting to wear off, but she’s fighting the exhaustion, her eyes heavy yet still locked on mine.

“I remember seeing him,” she murmurs suddenly.

“Who?” I ask, brushing my fingers through her hair.

“Max,” she whispers. “Before everything went dark, I saw him… I think he helped me.”

My jaw tightens. Max. That traitorous son of a bitch. Except… something doesn’t sit right.

“Yeah,” I mutter. “He sent me a text telling me where you were. I don’t know how he knew.”

Riley shifts again, wincing. “Do you think he really betrayed you?”

I exhale heavily, staring at the ceiling for a moment before looking back at her. “I don’t know,” I admit. “The way everything played out, it damn sure looked like he did. But if Max was working against us, why the hell would he be there last night? Why would he take out Chuck’s men and give me the location?”

Riley chews her lip. “Maybe… maybe there’s more to his story than what we see on the surface.”

I nod slowly, running my hand down her arm, careful to avoid any of her injuries. “Yeah. That’s what I’m starting to think, too.”

She stays quiet for a moment, and when she speaks again, her voice is barely above a whisper. “I hate that I was too weak to fight back.”

I cup her cheek, forcing her to look at me. “Don’t you dare say that, Riley. You survived him. Not just tonight. But for years. You fought in your own way. And now you’re here, in our bed, where you belong. Loved. Worshipped. Safe.”

Her lip trembles, and before I can say another word, a tear slips free. Then another. Then another.

I don’t stop them. I just lean in, brushing soft kisses against her damp cheeks, wiping each one away before they can fall too far.

“I love you, Riley,” I whisper against her skin. “I love you so damn much.”

She sniffles, her breath hitching as she presses her face against my chest.

“I swear to you, baby… I will never let anyone hurt you again. Not so much as a damn splinter.”

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