Page 28 of Gunner

My stomach gets bigger as time goes on. Five months pregnant. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe there’s a small person inside me. I find myself watching my stomach more and more lately. Seeing the baby move is something out of this world. I never thought I would see anything like this, but now? I love it. I love every second of it.

“What are you doin’?”

“Watching the baby move.” Gunner chuckles before sitting down next to me and resting his hand on the bump that has formed.

“He’s active.”

“He?”

“It’s a boy.”

“How do you know that?”

“I guessed the other two right,” he replies causally.

“You did?”

“Yeah. Knew what they were about this far along, too.”

“Are you happy, Gunner?” I have to ask. The question has been sitting in the back of my mind for a while now, and I need to hear him say it. We’ve gotten closer. A lot closer, and I like it, but I need to know he’s ready for this baby.

“I am happy. Things are goin’ my way, Nat. We’re gettin’ to know each other, and the baby is doin’ good. Everything is good. What about you?”

“I wasn’t sure about all this, but I’m happy.”

“What the hell?” I hear a woman scream before looking up. I see a woman coming toward us full speed ahead before glancing at Gunner.

“Shit.”

“Who is that?”

“My ex. Kiki and Hodge’s mom.”

“What the hell is this?” She roars when she’s standing in front of us. Gunner shakes his head before looking up at her but not bothering to stand.

“You’ve been gone a long time. Why are you back?”

“I live here!”

“You don’t live here, Val. Never have. What do you want now? New man run out of drugs for you?”

“Why is your hand on her?”

“That’s none of your business. What do you want, Val?”

“I want what I’ve always wanted, Gunner. You.” Now I gasp. My mouth falls open as I look over at Gunner. Did he play me? Was he with her? I shove off the sofa, ready to walk away, when he stops me. He’s on his feet, grabbing my wrist so I can’t escape when his ex grabs the other one.

“Get your fuckin’ hands off her, Val.” The threat in his tone causes me to shiver. He sounds like a man possessed.

“Get your hands off her. Let her go, Gunner. This is between me and you.”

“There is nothin’, and I mean nothin’, between me and you, Val! In fact, you’ve been around too long. You gotta go.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I mean it. I mean every fuckin’ word of it. You made a mistake thinkin’ my kindness to let you be here was a weakness. Get the fuck outta my clubhouse,” he orders her. “And get your fuckin’ hand off her before I lose my shit.”

“What’s goin’ on?” I look over as Remy and Whip both appear. They look between us all and notice Val still holding onto my arm. Remy’s eyes widen before he steps in and physically removes her hand. I step back away from her as she eyes me up and down.

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