Page 72 of Property of Max
“Don’t be sore, brother,” Skip teases, flipping another page. “Ah, here’s my new favorite. ‘Remember: muscles may look intimidating, but underneath, your Silent Rider is basically a big, broody teddy bear.’”
The men howl.
Max finally lunges, snatches the book out of Skip’s hand, and snaps it shut with a glare that should kill. He tucks it under his arm like contraband.
“No one else reads this,” he mutters.
“Too late,” I laugh, wiping tears from my eyes. “I heard enough.”
“Don’t worry,” Patch says with a rare smile. “If he burns it, I’ve got more copies ready for you.”
The men chuckle, but Skip isn’t done. He leans back in a camping chair, smirk wide and reckless.
“Hey, Max,” he calls. “Don’t worry, brother. I’ll read her the bedtime stories from it if you’re too…quiet.”
The place explodes with laughter…right before Max launches forward like a shot.
No warning. No hesitation.
Skip yelps, bolts out of his chair, and takes off down the path with Max sprinting after him, cussing under his breath. The compound shakes with laughter as the two run around each house. Skip sidestepping…always just out of Max’s reach.
I lean into Patch, still giggling, my cheeks sore from smiling. “Do they always act like children?”
Patch only shrugs, amused. “They’re Shadows. This is the good kind of chaos.”
***Max***
“Good evening. I’m Ashley Moore, and we begin tonight in Palm Springs, where a well-known restaurant owner is behind bars.
Benjamin Gumphrey, the owner of House of the Sun, a popular Italian restaurant, has been arrested after several former employees came forward with allegations of sexual harassment.
According to police, the complaints include inappropriate comments, unwanted advances, and what they describe as a hostile work environment. Investigators say more victims may still be out there and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
House of the Sun, which has operated in Palm Springs for more than a decade, is closed until further notice pending the outcome of the investigation.
Court proceedings are expected to begin in the coming weeks. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.”
“You did it,” Lila whispers, her smile soft and disbelieving. “You guys actually did it.”
“It was mostly Foster,” I admit, grabbing the remote to turn the TV off. The room slips into silence again, shadows warm and close. I pull her against me, her naked body molding into mine like she was made for this. For me.
Her skin is soft against mine, and I can’t stop touching her…running my hand down the curve of her back, threading my fingers through her hair, anchoring myself in her warmth. The chaos of the world, the pain, the blood, the fear…it all falls away when she’s here.
She tips her face up, eyes shining in the low light. “Max…” It’s not just my name. It’s a vow. It’s a need.
“I love you, baby,” I murmur against her lips, voice rougher than I mean it to be. “More than anything. More than I knew I could.”
Her fingers brush my jaw, gentle, and then she’s kissing me. Slow at first, then deeper, pulling me under like a tide I’ll never be able to fight. And I don’t want to. I want to drown in her.
The way she clings to me, the way she melts and moves closer, it’s more than passion. It’s trust. It’s home. Every sigh she gives me, every soft sound, every touch of her hands across my chest tells me she’s mine, completely. And I’m hers.
All the fear, all the rage, all the hollow places in me fill with her light. And when I move over her, when I claim her with everything I am, it isn’t just love. It’s redemption.
We’re not just surviving anymore. We’re living.
***Bree***
I have a new family. A really big family, with big, scary-looking men all around me. No more monsters can hurt me now.
