Page 71 of Property of Max
“Happy birthday, Mama!” Bree shouts, racing up to me with a handmade card covered in glitter. She nearly spills the plate of cake she’s carrying, but Max catches it just in time.
Micah sits with Foster at the corner table, both with their chessboards on their screens. Foster is grinning like he’s winning, but Micah has that stubborn gleam in his eye. It won’t be long before Foster’s grin disappears.
Tank and Skip argue good-naturedly about something, like always. Maverick is telling some story that has half the room groaning and the other half laughing. And Spike…Spike stands at the grill, Riley at his side, Asher on her hip. Both of them glance around now and then with smiles as they look at our family.
Max slides an arm around me, pulling me close. He presses a kiss to the side of my head, his voice low just for me. “Happy birthday, baby. Hope you know how loved you are.”
My throat tightens, but in the best way. A year ago, I didn’t know if we’d make it. Didn’t know if my kids would ever be safe. And now…this. A home. A family. A love that feels unshakable.
I look around the place, at the people who’ve fought for us, laughed with us, become ours. At my daughter, my brother, my man.
For the first time in my life, I don’t just feel celebrated.
I feel whole. Complete.
“Birthday girl,” Patch says, stopping in front of me.
“Hey, Patch,” I smile.
He’s a quiet man; I don’t see him around much. But he’s always kind, always steady.
“I normally don’t give these out until the wedding,” he says, handing me a neatly wrapped present. “But I just couldn’t wait. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Patch.” I grin as I take the gift, feeling oddly touched.
Before I can peel off the paper, Skip sidles up beside us, grinning like he already knows the punch line. He starts laughing before I even have the thing unwrapped.
It’s a book.
Surviving the Silent Rider: A Guide for Women Who Fell for a Biker of Few Words and Too Many Muscles.
“Oh, that’s great,” Skip roars. “Do you have a collection of these in your library, Patch? Let me see, Lila.”
Laughing, I hand Skip the book. Clearly, there’s a story here I don’t know. Everyone’s either smiling, laughing, or shaking their heads.
Everyone except Max.
“Give it to me,” Max says, hand out, voice flat.
Ignoring him, Skip flips the book open to a random page and starts to read aloud.
Skip clears his throat dramatically, holding the book high like he’s about to deliver Shakespeare.
“Chapter Four: Communicating With Your Silent Rider. Step one. Don’t expect full sentences. A grunt can mean anything from‘I love you’to‘Pass the remote.’Learn the difference.”
The room bursts into laughter.
“Give. Now.” Max growls, stepping forward.
Skip sidesteps, grinning like a kid who just stole candy. “Look, it was right. Oh, this is gold. Listen to this part. Step two: If he says more than three words in a row, treasure it. You may never hear that much again.’”
Even Patch cracks a smile.
Max reaches for the book, but Skip twists away, reading louder. “Bonus tip…never ask him what he’s thinking. Odds are, it’s either‘food’or‘sex.’”
The whole room roars. I’m laughing so hard I have to hold my side.
“Skip.” Max’s voice drops low, dangerous. He makes another grab, but Skip ducks behind Tank, holding the book out of reach.
