Page 8 of Fastlander Fallen

“Why haven’t you joined a Crew before now?” Gunner asked, and now he could hear it—the curiosity.

“Because my father was my Crew.”

“Is your father well?”

“My father passed a few months ago.”

“Fuck.” Gunner leaned forward, his elbows on the table, his hands clenched as he leveled him with a look. There was a hint of feeling in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Would rather not talk about it if that’s okay. I’ll answer your questions, but that one is still fresh.”

Gunner canted his head, and Ace allowed himself to hold his gaze. One of the bear shifter’s eyes was blue, and one was silver.

“What is your animal like?” Gunner asked.

“Up until a few months ago, middle of the pack. Not submissive, not dominant.”

“And now?”

“Dominant.” Ace allowed a faint smile. “Which you can tell.”

“I want to kill you,” Gunner admitted.

“Fair enough. I’m sure we could put on a good show for the folks outside.”

Gunner’s empty smile stretched bigger. “That’s a temptation, isn’t it?”

“Unless you only want submissives who will never question you when you’re wrong? If that’s the case, I will not fit in your Crew well.”

“Thank you for your honesty. Why do you want to be in this Crew?”

Ace shrugged up one shoulder. “I’m not entirely sold on being in any Crew. It was my father’s last request that I try for a spot if one came available in Damon’s Mountains. He didn’t want me to be alone after he was g—” His voice cracked on the last word, and he composed the dead look in his eyes as his mind constricted against the hurt. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat, said it as emotionless as he could. “He didn’t want me to be alone after he was gone.”

“Mmm.” Gunner sat there for a few heavy seconds before he said, “You mentioned you work at Moosey’s? Do you know Captain?”

“Your brother? Yes, I do. I saw him here. I saw you throw him out of your house. Family drama there.”

“Has he ever mentioned me?” Gunner asked.

“Yeah. He calls you Asshole. Everyone knows who he’s talking about when he says Asshole.”

A smile took Gunner’s face. “I like how honest you are.”

“Well, then you’ll love this.” He knew he should stay quiet, but he couldn’t. “There’s a woman out there, a human, who was hurt by your mate.”

“Careful,” Gunner rumbled, and a hardness took his expression.

“Respectfully, she should be the first in consideration for the Crew. I’ve followed your story a little. Miss Hallie is human, and from the way that woman out there reacted, she’s from Hallie’s life before she met you. She was her Crew before you were her Crew. This life is hard on humans. They need support. You should keep her from feeling alone or resenting you. From a man who left his people behind, and just lost his father? It’s lonely if you have no one. You want a happy mate? You make sure her family is good. Especially if they care about your lady, and it seems like Corey does.”

“Humans aren’t up for discussion for this Crew.”

“And that’s your choice,” Ace said with a nod. “But I’ve got to say my piece. She’s feeling pushed out. I’m not telling you to induct her into this Crew. I’m just saying she should be considered.”

“Mmm,” Gunner said, lifting his chin higher. “And what would you say if I do consider her, and she takes the spot you would’ve had in this Crew?”

Ace shrugged. “My father would be proud that I made that space.”

Gunner’s lips curved up a little at the corners. “You’re dismissed.”

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