Page 43 of Gunner

“Thank you. For everything, Gunner.” And then I lean up and kiss him. I press my lips to his and kiss the man like I can’t breathe without him.

When I finally pull away, he smiles at me and shifts me off his lap.

“He’s waitin’ on you,” he says, nodding toward the door where I see Rick pacing back and forth. A small smile crosses my face as I look at him. He’s alive. He’s here and he’s safe.

“You took care of him,” I state.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Most people don’t know how to take Rick.”

“He’s your friend; that’s all I need to know,” he says as he reaches for the door handle and pops the door open. He climbs out before offering me his hand and helping me out. As soon as my feet hit the pavement I take off toward Rick. He comes flying toward me and pulls me into him as soon as we’re close enough. I hug him, hold him, and pray I’m not hurting him.

“I was so scared, Rick. So fucking scared you didn’t make it.”

“I’m here, Nat. I’m not going anywhere. It’s going to take more than that to get rid of me.” I burst into tears. I cry because I watched my best friend get stabbed. I cry because I watched him lie there in pain. I watched him bleed out all over the concrete before I was taken away.

“Are you okay?”

“I will be. I’m just glad you’re here,” I whisper in his ear. He holds me tighter as Gunner walks around us and pats Rick’s back.

“Your girl is back,” he tells him. We pull apart and turn to face Gunner.

“Thanks to you. I can’t thank you enough, Gunner,” Rick tells him.

“No need to. I’d do just about anything for that girl,” he says before his gaze comes to meet mine.

“I’m starting to see that.”

“Good. Because it’s the truth. You just have to ask, Nat, and I’ll give you anything you want.”

“Food?” I ask, smiling at him. Gunner grins at me and nods his head.

“I can arrange that. Gotta get that baby fed.” He nods toward my stomach and holds his hand out to me. I meet him halfway and take his hand in mine. With our fingers threaded together, we walk into the clubhouse. There are cheers as we enter, and Kiki comes running toward me. She grabs me out of her dad’s hand and pulls me into a hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, Nat. Dad was going to rip the goddamn city apart to find you.”

“He was?”

“Yeah, he was. He was beyond pissed, girl.”

“I’m glad he looked for me. I’m glad he found me,” I tell her.

“Me too. It wasn’t the same without you here,” she tells me. My heart feels full. I never knew having people around me like this could feel so right. Another tear rolls down my cheek as she pulls away, and I look at Gunner. He looks at me strangely before stepping closer. Pulling me from Kiki, he tugs me right into his arms and right into my safe space.

“Don’t cry, baby girl. Everything is gonna be okay.”

“I know it is. Thank you.”

“Stop thankin’ me before I bend you over and fuck you against the bar.” My cheeks heat as a small smile tugs across my face. I like he isn’t embarrassed to take me anywhere he wants.

“I’m just happy,” I tell him.

“You should be. You deserve that much.”

“Gunner?”

“Yeah.”

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