Page 49 of Sophia, Property of Tracker

“I didn’t mean to scare you, darlin’,” he says, stopping only inches away. His eyes travel the length of my body and stop at my breasts. I look down and notice my nipples are visible through the white tank top I’m wearing, and I quickly fold my arms, trying to conceal them.

Gunner smiles, and a dimple forms on his cheek. Gunner is quite handsome. He has this bad-boy look. His hair is shaved on the sides, and he has tattoos inked there. His hair above is long and slicked back. His lips are full, and his dark eyes bore into mine.

Seriously, how are all these men so hot?So this is where all the good-looking men have been hiding out.

I make a mental note that I need to introduce Annie to Gunner, that’s if he already doesn’t have a girlfriend, but something tells me a man like Gunner would be hard to tame, let alone be in a relationship.

“Don’t worry, babe, you haven’t got anything I haven’t seen before. But I will admit, Tracker is one lucky man,” he slurs, leaning in and talking to me, almost touching my lips. I lean back as the scent of alcohol on his breath is too much, and I am sure it is potent enough to get me drunk.

“Um…” I reply, not knowing what to say. Then turning, I continue to pour the water into my mug and dip the teabag in, lifting it now and then until I’m happy with the consistency.

Heat hits my back, and I begin to panic. He’s too close, and I’m sure he has no idea what he’s doing, so I turn around with my mug held between us, using it as a barrier.

“Well, it was nice to see you. I’m going to bed now,” I say while trying to maneuver around him. But he holds me still, his hands on my arms. “I mean it, Sophia, Tracker is a lucky man. He’s crazy for not claimin’ your ass. If you were mine, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight or my bed. I’d lock you in my room and have you whenever I wanted.”

My eyes widen as I shrug him off. Carefully, I place the mug on the bench behind me, then look back at him. “Gunner, you’re drunk, and I don’t think you know exactly what you’re saying right now.”

He leans forward once again. “Oh yes, I do.”

“What the fuck!”

Looking over Gunner’s shoulder, Ryan’s standing there with anger radiating from him. He’s standing bare-chested with a towel wrapped around his neck and dressed in his track pants. Ryan’s wearing a red and black bandana on his forehead, but that doesn’t stop the sweat trickling down his face.

Gunner spins around, and he almost falls to the floor. Reaching down, I grab his arm, stopping him from hitting the floor. Gunner holds my hands as I try and pull him up. But then I’m lifted into some extremely strong arms and placed on the kitchen counter.

“Ryan, let me help him. He’s obviously drunk.”

His green eyes bore into mine, and his eyes darken with anger. “You…” he says while pointing a finger at me. “Do not move from here. You and I are gonna have words later. Don’t you move from here?” He turns to Gunner, who is now leaning against the wall with a smile on his face. “And you…” Ryan growls, stepping closer to him. “You fuckin’ touched what is not yours. You broke the brother code, you motherfucker.” He gets even closer to Gunner, so close that their noses are almost touching. “You tryin’ to get into my woman’s pants?”

Feeling anger run through me, I jump down from the bench and Ryan hears me, turns around, and growls. “I told you not to move. Now stay the fuck there.”

“But—”

“I said…stay there,” he demands, and I do as he says because, to be honest, I don’t want to upset him further. I’ve never seen Ryan this way. To say he’s jealous is an understatement. He’s gone full-on caveman on me.”

“Come on, Tracker, we were just talkin’. Don’t go all crazy on me.”

“Crazy on you? You’re lucky I ain’t fuckin’ killing you.”

Gunner stands straight and places his hands out as a plea. “I’m sorry, brother.” He slurs his words. “I may have drank a bit too much tonight. I came in to get myself some Tylenol and found Sophia. We were just talking.”

“I think you bettershut the fuck upand leave before I do something we will both regret.”

Gunner looks over at me with an expression of regret on his face. “I’m sorry, Sophia. I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable—”

“Did I sayyoucan talk tomywoman?” Ryan interrupts.

Gunner places his hands on Ryan’s chest and pushes him back. “Get over yourself, man. You haven’t even claimed her yet.” And then, just like that, Ryan punches Gunner in the face and knocks him to the floor.

I scream and run to Gunner, concerned he’s hurt him. Kneeling, I ask, “Gunner, are you all right.”

He’s out cold and doesn’t respond.

I look back up at Ryan, who is rubbing his hand. “Ryan, I think we should call an ambulance.”

“He don’t need no ambulance. He’ll be fine. Teaches him for disrespecting me and you.”

I narrow my eyes and stand. “You are being ridiculous. What’s gotten into you? We were just talking. He’s drunk and nearly fell, so I was helping him.”

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