Page 159 of Gunner

“For how long? What I do isn’t exactly ideal for me being in public.”

“That’s another thing. This case isn’t going anywhere, and it’s time to get them to come to us.”

“What’d you mean?”

“Let’s put on a show. We suspect someone in the club and someone at the police station. Why don’t we use whomever is watching us to feed them the information we want them to know and set a trap for them.”

“How?”

“Let’s pretend to fall out.”

Gunner scowled. “What for?”

“Together we pose too much of a threat. If I’m alone, they’re more likely to confront me again.”

Gunner removed his hand, but this time I didn’t ask him to return it. “No.”

“No? You can’t just say no.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. You were almost stabbed to death and gunned down. The answer is no. You’re not using yourself as bait. As a matter of fact, you’re suspended. You don’t need to concern yourself with the case anymore.”

“I have to. It’ll never get solved. We already suspect Thoms is one of the masterminds. He’s too eager to lock you up. If I approach him, I can force his hand.”

“And expose you to danger?”

“I’ve worked as a cop for fifteen years, Gunner. I’m not a stranger to danger.”

“I won’t agree.” He flung back the sheets and sat at the edge of the bed.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, I’m only suggesting this because I know you’ll keep me safe. When I meet with Thoms, you’ll be there to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

“But how will you force his hand?”

“I’ll think of something. He’ll meet me if he thinks I have information he wants.”

“I don’t know, Ben. I hate this.”

“It’s not meant to be fun and games, but we have to stop this, Gunner. I’m suspended. The next time they try to pin another murder on you, I can’t do anything. We have to fight this head-on. You and me together, we can handle this.”

Tense seconds passed. Then Gunner let out a deep sigh. “All right, but we need a solid plan before I commit to anything.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck from behind and kissed his cheek. “We’ll catch them.”

“With you still being alive,” he said, speaking each word clearly.

“Hmm, I guess this answers my earlier question about where you see us.”

“Like I said before, Ben, I’m not the marrying kind, but if I lose you, my life’s completely meaningless.”

Warmth pooled in my chest. I pressed my face into the crook of his neck and shoulder and pressed a kiss there. “I know. I feel the same.”

41

GUNNER

I'm a bastard. I have no right giving my kid a hard time for sleeping with Grimm when I'm doing something so despicable. Although I know I've chosen Gunner, I still had sex with Ben tonight. Tomorrow I'll do it. Tonight he seems happy.

“We’re not done talking about this, Gunner,” Ben said. And because he had been doing nothing but griping for the past two days, I didn’t hold the door to the restaurant open for him. Just let it swing back in his face so he knew where I still stood on the harebrained plan he’d come up with to confront Thoms.

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