Page 25 of Property of Bones

I walk back inside, victorious in my own weird way, and close the door with a smile.

He doesn’t follow. But I know he’s still there.

Just like Jack always is. Which is something we’re going to have a talk about.

Chapter Ten

Bones

“Spike, I hope you don’t mind that I brought a few of my men.”

Fucking idiot.

“We saidoneman,” Spike replies, voice cold. “We agreed to meet publicly. One man each. Already showing you’re not a man of your word, Buckey. Not a good sign for our future.”

Buckey chuckles, smug and slow like he thinks he’s charming. It makes my fists itch.

I hate these damn Vipers.

“Well, you brought the infamous Bones,” Buckey says with a shrug. “I heard he can take down five men without breaking a sweat.”

I tilt my head just slightly. “Six, if they’re as dumb as you.”

Spike doesn’t miss a beat. “And with a smile on his face,” he says flatly. “Fine. Your men can stay. But I’ll remember this, Buckey. Next time, when you beg for trust, I’ll remind you how quick you were to piss on it.”

Buckey’s grin falters, just for a second, but I catch it. Good. Let the bastard sweat.

“Let’s get this over with,” Buckey says, strutting like a man who thinks he owns the sidewalk. “Why did I cross the border, Spike? What’s so important it couldn’t be said over the phone?”

“Los Fantasmas,” Spike replies.

“We’ve got nothing to do with that cartel,” Buckey says.“We can’t help you.”

“If youdo, we can helpyou,” Spike counters, calm as ever, as he sits on the edge of the picnic table like this whole thing’s just a casual Sunday chat.

We chose this park for a reason. Neutral ground, open space, halfway between our compound and the Vipers’ roach nest of a homestead. Public enough to prevent immediate violence.In theory.

Too bad. I’d give anything to lob one of my blades into Buckey’s smug little VP. He’s got that look in his eyes. The one that screams he thinks I’m a myth. That I bleed like anyone else.

Keep looking at me like that, asshole. Let’s find out.

“Help us how?” Buckey asks, suspiciously.

Spike leans forward, hands steepled. “You’re spread thin. Turf wars on your north end, trouble with suppliers. You’re losing ground.”

Buckey stiffens. His boys twitch. His VP’s hand drifts toward his hip like we won’t notice.

I do notice.

I smile. Just barely. A ghost of violence curling my lips.

Let him reach. Please. Give me a reason to redecorate this park in red.

“I’ll offer you one of my chapters for six months,” Spike says, voice like smoke over gasoline. “That’s fifty men to help you reestablish control. And I’ll throw in a couple of our suppliers. Solid guys, no BS. Could be the lifeline you’re desperate for.”

That got their attention.

The shift is subtle, just the way Buckey’s shoulders relax a fraction, the way the VP stops inching. They didn’t expect Spike to offer actual help. They came here ready to be insulted, maybe threatened.

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