Page 96 of Property of Spike

Skip, of course, chooses this moment to walk by and glance at the book. “Oh, hell yeah, I need a copy of that. Living with you, even one house away, is probably worse than being married to you.”

Spike’s glare intensifies. “You want to test that theory?”

Skip takes a step back, hands raised. “Hey, I’m just saying, man. We all know you’re stubborn as hell.”

Patch chuckles. “Exactly why I got the book.”

I lean into Spike’s side, still giggling. “You know, I might actually read this.”

“Read it out loud,” Skip suggests. “We can all take notes.”

“That’s it.”

Spike lunges, but Skip is already running, cackling like the menace he is.

Best. Family. Ever.

“Thank you,” I smile, stealing another hug. “Will you come back for a visit when it isn’t so hectic?”

“Of course,” he smiles. “Until next time, little bit.”

“Bye, Patch.”

With a kiss to the top of my head, he walks away.

What’s his story? Why doesn’t he want to be around the people who care about him?

“I said I was fucking sorry,” Skip yells. “She doesn’t have to read it out loud. We’ll all just take turns.”

“Someone give me a fucking gun,” Spike growls.

Shaking my head, I walk over to Abby.

“He’s loving the attention,” she tells me with a nod at Asher. Currently, Runner is holding him and glaring at everyone who tries to take him away.

“That boy is going to be spoiled rotten, and there isn’t a thing I can do about it,” I sigh. “Anyway, look at the gift Patch gave me.”

I hand Abby the book, and, as expected, she laughs.

She flips through the pages, a grin spreading across her face. Then, with a dramatic clearing of her throat, she reads aloud.

“Step one: Never let them believe they are the boss.” She pauses, glancing at me with a wicked grin. “Bossy bikers, while great in bed, have fragile egos. To control them, let them think they’re the ones in charge, but always be ready to remind them who really holds the reins.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Well, I’m pretty sure I already know that.”

Abby continues reading, her voice getting a little more dramatic. “Step two: Don’t let them make the decisions. The less they decide, the less they can mess things up.” She smirks at me. “I think this one was written just for Spike.”

Spike glares across the room, catching my eye. “You better not be reading that shit out loud, woman.”

I smile innocently and shrug. “It’s great advice. Especially since you guys are always so bossy.”

Abby flips another page, reading, “Step three: They can’t resist when you call them out in front of their brothers. Public humiliation works wonders.”

“That’s just mean,” I laugh.

“I’m gonna shoot that fucker,” Spike growls.

The book then moves from hand to hand as biker after biker and their families take turns reading something out loud.

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