Page 36 of Gunner

“I agree, Prez. I’ve never seen you smile this much,” Remy adds as Locke nods along.

“I mean it. I’m really happy. Nat … she feels like she completes me in ways I never knew I needed.”

“Aww, that is so sweet,” Kiki teases.

“Shut up, Kiki. We aren’t talkin’ feelin’s here. I’m just sayin’.”

“I know. And I mean it. I’m really happy you have her.”

“We all are. She fits in well here, Prez,” Locke says.

“What about Rick? How’s he doin’? He’s pretty quiet.”

“He’s good. I offered him a spot at the garage and he seemed happy about it,” Remy tells me. I nod my head.

“Good. That’s good. Where is Nat anyway?” I glance around, not seeing her anywhere when Hodge speaks.

“They were goin’ for a walk.”

“Who?”

“Her and Rick. It’s been a while, though.” He looks at his phone.

“What do you mean a while?” My nerves can’t take not knowing where she is. I want her here. I want her safe. I want her where I know exactly where she is.

“About an hour, I would say. You would think they’d be back by now.” I shake my head. No. Somethings wrong.

“We go look for them.”

“Why? They’re probably just hanging out, Dad.”

“I don’t care. It’s been too long. She should have been back by now.”

“You’re overreacting,” Kiki declares as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“I don’t care. We’re goin’ to look. Get the guys ready,” I tell Locke. He nods and turns around to tell the guys while I pull my cell out and call the one I gave Nat. It goes straight to voicemail. I know she doesn’t use it to call anyone. Just plays games on it when she’s bored.

“Voicemail.”

“I’m sure she’s fine, Dad.”

“I don’t like this. I don’t like her goin’ out without one of the guys with her,” I say as I run my hand through my hair.

“She’s fine. I’m sure they probably just lost track of time.”

“I hope that’s all it is.” With that, I lean down and press a kiss on Kiki’s cheek before heading for the door. I’m on my bike and ready to roll when the others come filtering out. They all climb on their bikes, and we move out to search for her.

I have no idea where to look, but if they were on foot, they couldn’t have gotten far.

I stop at every place I can think of. Stores, restaurants, and everything in between. It’s not until Remy calls that a chill goes down my spine.

“Get your ass over to 12thand Ganger.” That’s all he said before the line went dead. I take a deep breath and pray nothing happened to her. I take off in that direction, blowing through red lights and stop signs until I see the guys. I kill the engine and climb off my bike, taking slow steps at first. I’m not sure what I’m walking into. My heart beats erratically in my chest as I getcloser. Then I see Rick on the ground in a puddle of blood, and my blood runs cold.

I blink rapidly and glance around as the guys all part for me, but I don’t see her. I don’t see Nat. Something inside of me trembles, and my body goes numb.

“Nat,” I say her name softly as I look at Rick.

“Ambulance is on the way, but Nat wasn’t here,” Hodge reports.

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