Page 42 of Property of Bones

Jack’s voice is thick with guilt as he leans in. “I’m so fucking sorry, babygirl. I promise I’ll get you in bed and out of pain as fast as I can.”

I nod, because if I open my mouth, I might scream. And screaming will make it worse. Everything will make it worse. So, I sit here like a statue and breathe. Barely.

He presses a soft kiss to my forehead before slipping into the passenger seat in front of me.

Riley’s beside me. She doesn’t say anything, just holds out her hand.

I grab it like it’s a lifeline.

“I’m sorry I drugged you,” I whisper. “Didn’t mean to. Honest.”

The sadness melts right off her face. She chuckles, then kisses the back of my hand. “Best drugging I’ve ever had. And I’ve birthed a kid.”

I clamp my lips shut to keep from laughing, but my face must give me away because she grins like she’s won something.

“Maybe we should stop for burgers on the way,” she says, far too casually.

“No,” both men snap in unison.

“From now on,” Jack says. “You, Sunny, Abby, and Asher only eat what’s prepared inside the compound.”

“Well, that’s hardly fair,” Riley mutters. “Have you tasted Skip’s chicken? I don’t think it’s ever met a fully functioning oven. I’d have better luck with a hot sidewalk and a magnifying glass.”

“I’ll have Tank go out and grab stuff for burgers,” Jack says. “We’ll grill them at home. Inside the compound. Where I canwatchthem being prepared.”

“Husband,” Riley groans dramatically.

“Don’t even try it, babe,” Spike says, amusement thick in his voice. “First and foremost, Bones’ job is keeping all of us safe. Someone screwed with that, and now he’s royally pissed. He’s not backing down anytime soon.”

He throws a look at Jack, who’s still visibly simmering.

“When it comes to safety, I step aside and let him do his thing. His word is final. Just be glad he’s not dragging in a cow and butchering it in the backyard.”

I glance at Riley, silently asking if that was even a possibility. Based on the defeat in her eye…it is.

Chapter Fourteen

Sunny

“Is it always this quiet here?” I ask as we pull inside the compound gates.

“No,” Spike answers. “I’ve sent everyone who doesn’t live inside the compound home. We need to get you secured and have a meeting before I open the gates back up.”

Parking the truck, the men get out and open the back doors.

“This isn’t going to be fun,” I whine.

I start to twist to undo my belt but Jack beats me to it.

“I’m going to lift you and hold you against my chest, Sunny,” he says. “It will be the least painful way.”

“Really?” I laugh. “You want to lift me into your arms and walk me to your house?”

He doesn’t respond.

“I mean, if you think you can lift my fat butt, go for it.”

“Oh, girl,” Riley groans. “Wrong thing to say. Dang it, I should have warned her.”

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