Page 30 of Property of Max
“You kept all that from me?” I ask, though my voice comes out softer than I intend.
“I had to,” he says simply. “Rules. And I didn’t want to drag you into it if I didn’t stay.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek, torn between irritation and…something else. Something heavier. Because for the first time since this nightmare started, I don’t feel like I’m walking in blind. He’s been here. He knows these men.
He trusts them.
And I trust him.
The weight pressing down on my shoulder’s shifts, just a little. Not gone, but lighter.
“Okay,” I whisper, more to myself than him. “Okay.”
Cody grins, that cocky sparkle back in his eyes, and bumps his shoulder against mine. “See? I’ve got layers, babe. Like an onion. Or a very sexy parfait.”
I roll my eyes, but the corner of my mouth betrays me with a twitch of a smile.
“Whatever happens in there, you’re not alone. I’ve got you.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat, nodding even though my palms are slick and my knees feel weak.
He opens his door, hops out, then rounds the front of the truck. When I jump down, he’s right there to offer his hand. I take it, heart pounding like a drum inside my ribs.
“Such a gentleman,” I tease as he steadies me onto the gravel.
“Only for you, my love.” His grin flashes, wicked and shameless. “With everyone else, I’d rather be on the receiving end.”
I groan, rolling my eyes. “My heart.”
He presses a hand dramatically to his chest. “One day, you’ll mean that.”
I shake my head, but his easy humor tugs the edge off my nerves. Just a little.
The largest house towers in front of me, bigger, louder, more alive than I ever imagined. Music pulses faintly through the walls, voices and laughter spilling out with it. Every instinct Ihave screams to run, but Cody’s hand is still wrapped around mine, grounding me.
“That building is the clubhouse,” Cody explains, tilting his head toward the massive structure in the center. Then he gestures to the row of houses lining the walls. “And those? Those are the homes of the President and the club officers.”
“They live here?” I ask, surprised.
“Yeah. Spike’s all about safety.” Cody’s tone softens as we climb the steps toward the clubhouse door. “He met the love of his life about a year ago, and now there’s nothing more important to him than keeping her and their son safe.”
Something in his voice shifts. Respect, maybe even admiration. I glance back at the houses, some with normal white doors, and three with colored doors. It doesn’t match the picture I had in my head of what a motorcycle club would look like. It feels… almost like a neighborhood. A hidden world, tucked behind concrete and iron.
We stop at the heavy door. My palms are slick, my throat tight, but Cody just squeezes my hand and flashes me that cocky grin.Trust me,his eyes say.
“I’m just scared of them watching the video,” I admit, my voice dropping to almost nothing. “I don’t want them to think poorly of me.”
“I’ll stab them with the nearest sharp object if they do,” he says without missing a beat, swinging the door open without even knocking.
“HONEY, I’M HOME!” Cody yells louder than the music.
Moments later, a mountain of a man barrels around the corner. My eyes go wide as he scoops Cody up by the waist like he weighs nothing and squeezes him in what can only be described as a full-body bear hug.
Cody laughs, clinging back with his arms and legs wrapped tight around the giant. For a second, it looks like some bizarre reunion show.
“Miss me?” Cody grins as he’s finally deposited at my side.
“Obviously,” the big man says, flashing a smile as wide as his shoulders. “Being around these broody assholes all day has mecravingsomeone who’s actually fun. Someone like me. I’m pretty awesome, after all.”
