Page 30 of Gunner

“His way isn’t the law’s way,” Witter said.

“I know this may be tough to hear, Ben,” Grimm said. “But sometimes the law’s way won’t get matters solved.”

“Finally, someone gets it!” I smacked Witter on the cheek, soft enough to be playful but hard enough to sting. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

Witter rubbed his cheek. The color now suffusing his skin seemed excessive for the tap. Was he as turned on by a smack in the face as he was by me holding his neck? Just what had he and Mason gotten up to that drove him wild in the sack?

“If we don’t do things the legal way, information we gather might not be admissible in court,” he said. “That’s why I go by the book.”

“It’s your call, but if you ever make it to Riverton and want to check out things yourself, I know someone who might help. Sullivan Matthews. Crowe’s chapter is in Riverton too, but Matthews has better connections.”

“Sullivan Matthews?” Witter’s jaw dropped. “Didn’t he take over the Pinelli crime family recently?Thatguy’s your associate?”

“Yup, he’s the one. He understands how boundaries work. Whenever he’s in Smoky Vale, he does a courtesy call.”

“He was Pinelli’s number one hitman. Did you know that?” We all knew the name, but I was surprised Grimm had links to the Mafia. Just how far was his reach?

“You’re wasting your breath, Grimm,” I said. “Mr. Cop of the Year here isn’t really concerned about crime. He’s more concerned with keeping a spotless image.”

“Not everyone can afford your kind of reputation and still be shameless about it,” Witter snapped.

“Careful there, Witter. You’re not just insulting me but Grimm as well. We’re all a part of the MC life.”

“Except their club is different. They don’t go around killing people for no reason.”

I straightened. “When have I ever killed someone without reason?”

“You wanted to slash someone’s throat for no reason at all back at that apartment building! That says everything I need to know about you.”

“You think I had no reason?”

Witter stood, facing me full on now, both Grimm and Jamie and the rest of the room forgotten. “What reason did you have?”

I clenched my jaw so hard I thought my teeth might shatter. Fire roared in my veins, a tempest of fury so potent it was almost scalding the air. I balled my hands into fists, trembling with the effort it took not to reach across and throttle Witter.

“You want a reason?” My voice came out as a venomous hiss. “That fucker crossed the line when he…” I caught myself in the nick of time. He didn’t need to know the true reason I’d drawn my knife that night. Fuck, I still couldn’t wrap my head around why I’d felt incensed when he’d smacked Witter across the face.

Iwanted to smack his too-honest face half the time.

A deafening silence descended. I felt Grimm’s and Jamie’s curious gazes on me, sensed Witter weighing my words as though trying to figure out what I wasn’t saying.

“Daaaaamn.” Jamie’s voice cut through the silence. “What exactly is going on between you two? I can’t tell if this is fighting or foreplay. What do you think, Daddy Grimm?”

“I think whatever this is, is none of our business.” Grimm plucked Jamie off the stool. “Let’s go.”

“But which is it?” Jamie cried. “I need to know!”

“Look,” Witter said in a harsh whisper when we were alone. “What happened that night…meant nothing. No need to bring it back up. I don’t need your help anymore either. From this day, you go rule your criminal empire, and I’ll wait for the day we’re taking your mugshot. Again.”

As Witter strode from the mess hall, I let my gaze roam over his wide shoulders, broad back, tapered waist, and full ass. Jamie’s words bounced around in my head, and with it, the realization I didn’t know which was true, andthatticked me off the most about Witter.

I was attracted to the man I hated most, and I didn’t know what to do with the feeling. Was it possible to fuck someone out of your system until only the hate remained?

9

BEN

I saw jealousy in Ben's eyes today. Does he suspect, or is it a reflection of my guilt?

---