Page 31 of Property of Max
I can’t help it…I laugh, nerves buzzing in my chest. “Oh, lovely. You’re just like Cody… only bigger.”
“We’re made for each other,” he declares proudly. Then he winks at me. “Too bad we’ll only ever flirt. I couldn’t possibly sleep with him. He’s too much like me. I need someone sweet and soft, not someone who only knows how to throw sass and give me attitude.”
“Fuck you, Skip,” Cody fires back, grinning. “I wouldneverlet your monster of a cock anywhere near my ass. I feel sorry for your lovers.”
The big man throws his head back, laughing so loud the sound bounces off the wood-paneled walls. “They never walk away in a straight line when I’m finished with them.”
I blink. “You’reSkip?”
“At your service.” He makes a ridiculous bow, one arm flung wide like he’s on stage. “And may I just say, I’m honored you finally get to meet me.”
I shake my head, still laughing despite myself. “I’m sorry. Over the phone, I pictured you looking more like… well, like Cody.”
Skip smirks, unabashed. “A twink who falls over in a stiff breeze? Nah, babe. I’m a bear. I eat twinks like Cody for breakfast.”
Cody groans, covering his face with his hand, and the knot in my chest loosens a bit more.
“And I repeat…Fuck you, Skip.”
“By the way,” Skip says, flashing a grin that could get him out of a speeding ticket. “You’re exactly how I pictured you over the phone. That soft voice with those soft curves? Damn. You’re even sexier in person.”
I groan, half laughing, half mortified.
“Stop flirting.”
“Jealous?” Skip teases, eyebrows wagging.
“Extremely,” Cody deadpans, tightening his grip on my hand. “Now, take us to your leader.”
Skip’s face went mock-serious. “He’s in his spaceship, plotting world domination. Better keep up, tiny humans.”
I let out a nervous laugh that sounded a little too high, even to me. My heart’s still hammering, my palms damp against Cody’s.
“Don’t worry,” Cody smiles. “He’s a shameless, yet harmless, flirt. He won’t bite.
Skip shoots Cody a sidelong glance, his grin turning wicked again. “Unless I’m feeling territorial. Careful, Twinkie. I might take a bite out of you after all.”
Cody groans louder, and despite the nerves buzzing in my veins, I find myself laughing for real this time…because somehow, in this ridiculous moment, it’s a bit easier to breathe.
“Coming in with some normies,”
Skip swings the heavy door open, and the noise from outside shifts. The music thumps on somewhere deeper in the building, muffled now, while the laughter and voices fade behind us. As soon as we step through, the door slams shut, sealing us into a pocket of silence.
The air is different in here…thicker, heavy with leather and motor oil, a faint trace of smoke clinging to the walls. My eyes adjust slowly, picking out the massive round desk in the middle of the room, the worn leather chairs, the map on the wall withpins scattered like battle plans. It doesn’t feel like a clubhouse anymore. It feels like a war zone.
My throat is dry, but my palms are damp, and I squeeze Cody’s hand just to remind myself I’m not walking in alone.
Skip throws a glance back at us, his grin wicked as ever. “Don’t chicken out now. He doesn’t bite.” He pauses, eyes raking over Cody with deliberate slowness. “Well…Imight if Cody doesn’t stop eye-fucking me.”
“Fucker,” Cody laughs, tugging me closer against his side. “Protect me, Lila.”
I manage a shaky laugh, though it comes out thinner than I’d like.
“Hey, Spike,” Cody says, greeting the man who’s clearly in charge. “This is Lila. Lila, the man, the myth, the Iron Shadows’ very own legendary president…Spike.”
The man gives a short nod. I force a smile in return, though my stomach knots tighter.
“This is Bones,” Skip adds, smirking. “Don’t let his face fool you. He isn’t as nice as he looks.”
