Page 37 of Sweet Revenge

She let out a short breath before she finally spoke. “He was nice to me. He was the only person who had been nice to me in a long time. I thought that was what having feelings for someone meant. That they were nice to you.” She lifted one hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I didn’t have much to go on.”

I lifted my hands and laid them on her biceps. “Maggie…”

She shook her head. “But you’re nice to me. And you’re my friend.”

I nodded, both hating and loving that she considered me a friend. “I am your friend.”

“And you’re teaching me to drive. And you gave me the information so I can get my GED when I’m ready. You check on me all the time and even watched a movie with me.”

At that moment, I realized just how inexperienced she was. She’d never had typical experiences with friends or boyfriends, and I could see her trying to sort everyone into categories but having no idea how to do that yet. “I want you to have anything you want, baby.”

Her eyes flicked around the room before landing on mine once again, and she frowned. “I don’t feel the same way about you that I do him.”

It was like a fist to the gut to hear, but it was what I’d always suspected. Her feelings for him were obvious. Fuck, she risked her life to sneak out and watch him get married.

“I’m sorry I don’t understand my feelings for you, Gunner. I just know I want to be around you, and you make me feel safe. You make me feel important, and you act like what I say matters.”

“It does matter.”

She bit her lip and nodded. “And because of you, I’m actually starting to believe that.”

“Gunner.” I pulled my eyes from Maggie when I heard Bear call out my name. I guess he finally spotted us. I jerked my chin in his direction, understanding he wanted me to go over to the bar.

“I need to meet with the guys, Maggie.” I laid my palm against her cheek. “Do you want to come with me or find Becs?”

She glanced quickly in the direction of the bar. “I’ll come with you.”

I reached down and grabbed her hand, pulling her along beside me when what I really wanted to do was put her on the back of my bike and get the hell out of here. We made our way to the bar and then behind it to stand next to Bear.

Both Luke and Cam smiled at Maggie, but Luke was the first to speak. “Hey, Maggie.”

She smiled softly. “Hi, Luke.”

“How are you?” He pointed his finger at both Bear and me. “These guys treating you alright?” He grinned. “Because if they’re not, they’ll answer to me.”

Maggie giggled beside me, and it pissed me off, but I kept my mouth shut. I knew he was only trying to get her to relax around him. He felt the tension radiating off her when he was near, and for a guy like Luke, who has spent his career helping women and children, that had to be frustrating.

I understood it, but I still didn’t fucking like it.

My eyes scanned the men and landed on Jack who was watching me closely. “Hi, Jack. What brings you out our way?”

Jack sat back and crossed his arms over his chest, but his gaze remained on me. “I’ve been to a lot of places in my life, but I’ve never been to the clubhouse in a motorcycle club, so I figured this was my chance.”

“What do you think?” Bear asked.

Jack’s eyes slid from mine to Bear’s. “I like what you boys are doing out here, and I like what you’re doing in the community. I just hope once all of this is put behind you, that you can continue.”

Jack was not one to mince words. If he had something to say, he said it, and he meant it. An approval from Jack meant more to both Bear and me than it probably should’ve, considering we’d only known the man for about a year. Yet somehow, he’d made himself a father to a lot of lost souls, ours included.

“You can bank on it.” Bear promised.

Jack slapped his hand on the bar top. “Good to hear.” His eyes moved to where Maggie stood quietly, and they softened. “Maggie, darlin’, it’s so good to finally meet you.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t respond. Luke shifted forward and spoke. “Maggie, this is my dad, Jack.”

She smiled softly. “Nice to meet you.”

Luke stood from his stool when Bear jerked his chin toward the back of the bar. He slapped his hand across Jack’s shoulder. “You coming, Dad? We need to go over a few things in the office.”

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