Page 22 of Property of Bones

Tank’s pacing the floor like a caged animal, fists clenching and unclenching like he’s trying to hold onto whatever self-control he has left. Spoiler alert: he’s losing.

“You’re not going alone,” he growls, moving to block the doorway like his sheer bulk will change her mind.

Abby crosses her arms, chin tilted with that same defiance I’ve seen in Spike when someone questions his orders. It’s a family trait, apparently.

“I’m not asking for permission,” she says, voice sharp enough to draw blood. “I’mtellingyou I’m going. Whether you like it or not.”

I raise my coffee cup to my lips to hide the smirk. Damn. She’s got bite.

Tank swears under his breath, glancing at Spike for backup.

“I ain’t getting in the middle of this,” Spike mutters, flipping a page of whatever inventory sheet he’s pretending to read. “I value my life.”

“Coward,” Tank huffs.

“Survivor,” Spike corrects.

I lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, letting the scene unfold while pretending like I don’t give a shit. But I’m watching. Every word. Every movement. Abby’s fire. Tank’s restraint. The way her brother isn’t worried at all…which tells me two things.

She’s more than capable of handling the big guy on her own. And he trusts Tank. With her life and her heart. Too bad he doesn’t see that.

I drain the last of my coffee and set the cup down with a thud. “Don’t let him bully you, Abby. He can shade you from the sun but he’s big and slow. Aim for the knees and run.”

“Shut up, Bones,” he mutters.

I chuckle, but it fades fast. Because while Tank’s over here wrestling with feelings he doesn’t want to admit, I’m the one still watching Sunny from a distance, pretending I’m just protecting her. Pretending I’m not already too far gone.

“Fine,” Abby screeches. “Send a dozen freaking Prospects with me if you must. But don’t come whining when they start complaining that I spent too long in the fabric store. Iwillbe taking my time.”

Tank pulls out his phone, apparently satisfied. Abby clearly doesn’t expect him to take her seriously about that many men,but she’s in for a surprise when her personal escorts show up at the gate.

“Brother, I need you to assign someone else to watch your girl tonight,” Spike says from behind his desk. “I might need you if my meeting with the Vipers goes sideways.”

“She’s not my girl,” I growl, jaw tight. “And why the hell are you even meeting with the Vipers? Those psychos don’t have two brain cells to rub together.”

Fuck. I don’t want anyone else watching Sunny but I also can’t let Spike walk into that pit of snakes without me. He might get himself shot just for breathing wrong. And if something happened to him while I was off playing guard dog? I’d never forgive myself.

“Because he’s an idiot,” Tank mutters, still looking down at his phone. “He thinks if he can get their president on our side, the rest of those feral bastards will fall in line.”

“I don’t think it,” Spike says, tone flat. “Iknowit. Their prez has sway in Mexico. Sway we may need in the coming days.”

“They’re all just lapdogs,” I mutter, arms crossed over my chest. “You trust ‘em, you better dig your grave first. Saves time later.”

“I’m not trusting them,” Spike says, locking eyes with me. “I’m sending a message. And I need my enforcer there to make sure they understand it loud and clear.”

I grunt my understanding. I hate that he’s right.

“Fine,” I grunt. “But I pick who takes over Sunny’s watch.”

“Fair,” Spike says with a nod. “Just make sure it’s someone she’s met so she doesn’t get scared when she sees some stranger watching her.”

I already know who itwon’tbe.

Across the room, Skip is practically vibrating, one hand raised like he’s in kindergarten and justdyingto be picked. The bastard’s even hopping a little.

“No,” I say flatly.

“You don’t even know what I was gonna say!” Skip argues, still grinning like a lunatic.

---