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Jordan, oblivious to douar Ella ed out of the attic while he half-listened to Dylan

Spike walked to Dylan, lifted Jordan away from him, and handed the boy to the startled Myka

"Get out," he said to Dylan

Ellison came out of the kitchen at top speed "Hey, Spike Calm yourself"

"Out," Spike repeated to Dylan "This is my territory"

"Spikeshit" Ellison’s distress plucked at hi Spike

"He’s right," Dylan said "I don’t belong here" He didn’tMyka?"

"Yes Your son"

Dylan’s eyes flickered "Lia he does And I don’t consult him"

Spike believed him The flicker had been pure surprise

Dylan didn’t try to touch Spike when he walked past him, and he didn’t turn his head to look at Myka or Jordan He was acknowledging that Myka was Spike’s, and sending the e that he wouldn’t interfere He’d have known as soon as Spike and Myka walked in that Spike had e in Spike, smelled Spike’s scent-mark on Myka

"Take care of your cub," Dylan said, then he was gone

"Did I hear hiht?" Ellison asked "Mate?" He looked Myka up and down, boldly, but Spike didn’t feel a threat there Ellison understood "Aw, ain A beautiful woman coet a chance She’s even wearing shit-kickers"

Myka looked down at her pointed-toed cowboy boots, even dustier than Ellison’s "I like kicking shit"

"See? A woain"

"You do," Spike said