Page 54 of Gunner

“Of course I did it. They touched what belonged to me. It was my place to do it.”

“That’s what bothers me. I didn’t want you to have to kill for me.” Gunner shifts so I’m looking directly at him.

“Don’t you know I’d do anything for you, Nat? Includin’ kill the bastards who hurt you? You’re mine, Natasa. That means I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, and if that includes killin’ some piece of shit, then I’ll do it.”

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“No. Not like you would think it would. I’ve lived my life in this club, and there’s just some shit we have to do. You get used to it. You get past it.”

“It has to scar you some.”

“Of course it does. I wouldn’t be human if it didn’t, but the pros outweigh the cons to me. I’d rather see Clark dead by my hand than risk him comin’ near you or Jesse again. Does that make sense?” he asks me. I don’t want to nod my head, but I do because it does.

“Yeah, it does.”

“Good. Now rest.”

“Gunner?”

“Yeah?”

“Will you say with me?”

“Forever, baby girl. Forever.”

Chapter 25

Gunner

Bodies are disposed of. No trace of those assholes is to be found anywhere. Life? Life is good.

Nat’s feeling better. She’s bonding with Jesse, and that’s a bond I can never see breaking. The medicine has done its job, and every day, she heals a little more.

“You’re lookin’ happy,” Hodge says.

“I am. Look what I have, Hodge. Three great kids, a woman who cares about me. What else could I want?”

“I know you weren’t sure about Nat at first, but I see how that’s changed.” I nod my head.

“Yeah, it has. The more I’m with her, the more I know this is right. I couldn’t think when she wasn’t here.”

“I know. We all saw what you didn’t. She’s a good fit for the club, Dad.”

“She is. And I wanted to thank you, Son.”

“For what?”

“Everything. I’m not sure how I would handle all this without you and Kiki. You both stepped up for me, and I appreciate that more than you know.”

“We’re family, Dad, it’s what we do.”

“Damn right, it is.” I shove off the stool I’ve been sitting on and walk across the room. Taking Jesse from Nat’s arms, I pass him off to Locke. He chuckles but looks down and smiles at my little boy as I pull Nat into a searing, hot kiss.

“What are you doing?”

“I told you before, once it’s been six weeks, I’m fuckin’ you all over this clubhouse.”

“Gunner, no. I have stretch marks and shit now,” she argues as I laugh.

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