Page 136 of Gunner

I rubbed my sore ribs and scowled. “Are you sure?”

“Hmm.”

He angled his head and pressed his lips to mine. Just as I was about to hold him against me, he pushed away and approached the board.

“If you can help me figure anything out on this board, I’ll let you fuck me right here on the desk.”

I shot in front of the board so fast Ben laughed.

“You can’t go back on your promise.”

“Am I not a man of my word?”

Good point.

“Explain everything to me.”

Ben bit his lip.

I frowned. “You don’t trust me?”

“It’s not you. I know you’re not involved, but it doesn’t mean some members of your club aren’t.”

“You saw what our club looked like before we started recruiting. There are not a whole lot of members to suspect. Crowe and his guys are rock solid.”

“All right, I’m trying to find a link between all these actors. It’s a bit hard to do, since they’re all dead.”

“Except for that guy who stabbed you at the hospital. What became of him?”

Ben didn’t respond, so I turned to him.

“What are you not telling me?”

“You can’t go after him.”

“He’s out on bail?”

“Yes, but we have undercover cops watching his every move. If you go after him, they’ll nail you.”

“Not if I’m smart about it.”

“I don’t approve.”

“Then don’t. Come on, he stabbed you.” I brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. “If you actually believe he would live after that, you don’t know me at all.”

“We’re equals, you know. I don’t need you to protect me.”

“You don’t get it. You’re not just an ordinary man anymore, Ben. You’re mine, which means you’re under my protection and that of my club.”

“I don’t want you to kill anybody because of me.”

“It’s settled, then. I won’t kill him because of you. I’ll kill him because I’m a petty man who must send a clear message.”

“What kind of message?”

“That everyone should tread lightly with you or face my wrath.”

I turned back to the board and tried to concentrate, though Ben was still staring at me. “Is this what I’ll have to put up with for the rest of my life?”

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