Page 162 of Gunner

“I’m never gonna be a gentleman, Ben, so don’t hold your breath. A gentleman wouldn’t fuck you the way you like.”

Ben’s mouth dropped open, and he spun around. “Shush.”

“What? You afraid to let the world know how you like it?”

“Not out in public.” Ben’s eyes turned wide in fright. “Gunner!”

“What?” I followed his gaze. A man in his thirties was aiming a gun at me. He didn’t look familiar.

“You’re him, aren’t you?” he said, his voice trembling.

“Who exactly do you think he is?” Ben asked softly, slowly moving toward me. I frowned, nudging him to get him to stay out of the line of fire, but he was every bit as stubborn as me.

“You’re the biker they said is responsible for my Nancy’s death,” he cried. “You killed my wife and took my baby. They were everything in the world to me.”

“I didn’t kill your wife, and I sure as hell haven’t hurt or stolen any kids,” I said.

“I just buried her.” A sob tore from his chest. “She’s gone, but you get to walk around freely after what you did.”

“Listen to me.” Ben had inched himself in front of me. I placed a hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off. “This man isn’t responsible for your wife’s death.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because he was with me when those women disappeared. You see, we’re together, and I promise you he had nothing to do with those murders.”

The man finally dragged his gaze away from me and shifted his focus to Ben. “You’re the chief of police.”

“That’s right.”

“No, that’s not right. I watch the news. They suspended you for defending this criminal.”

“Listen, uh, it’s Glen, right? Glen Gardener.”

“You remember my name?”

“Of course I do. Your wife’s Nancy. Nancy Gardener, and your little girl was supposed to be named Abigail. I remember because I care about this investigation, and I still plan to do everything in my power to find the people responsible for her death. I didn’t get suspended because I defended this man. I got suspended because someone doesn’t want the truth uncovered about your wife’s death, but I have every intention of finding out what happened.”

The man used his free hand to wipe his wet cheeks. “How can I believe you?”

“I didn’t memorize your and your wife’s name for no reason, Glen. Ask yourself. How would you feel to know you killed an innocent man while the real killer is out there?”

“But what if heisthe one responsible?”

“Then you have my word I’ll personally take him to the police station and ensure justice is served. I was the cop who discovered the baby farm. I was leading the case when we found the first babies, and I will continue to work to find the ones who have gone missing. Don’t do something foolish, and when your daughter returns, you’re in prison and not there to take care of her.”

The man’s hands trembled violently, and he dropped them with a loud cry. “I miss her so much.”

“I know you do.” Ben walked up to the man and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Will you give me the gun?”

“Are you going to arrest me now?”

“I won’t. Nothing’s going to happen to you.” Ben stared pointedly at me, and I grunted in agreement, going against my instinct to eliminate the threat. “You’re overwrought with grief. I understand that, but mistakes like this can cost you your life. You’re not in the right frame of mind to own a gun.”

The man relinquished his hold on the weapon, handing it over to Ben.

“Do you have family back in the restaurant, Glen?”

He nodded. “I was having dinner when I saw him. I went back to the car for the gun and waited.”

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