Page 29 of Gunnar

“Christ,” Cain interrupted. He sounded more amused than irritated or angry. Like this was all something he’d foreseen but hadn’t wanted to admit. “Surely to God Torpedo ain’t makin’ you vice president again.”

“Nope. He’s makin’ me sergeant at arms. At least until he decides he’s got Kiss of Death established and remade the way he wants it. This is my club. Always was. Torpedo respects that.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised. Or that you’re not the right person to lead this ragtag bunch.”

“‘Course I am. Though, I have to admit, from what I’ve seen of your guys, Torpedo and Bohannon have done better than I could have with everything that happened before. The club needed the break. Just wish it hadn’t been seventeen fuckin’ years.”

“Anything else we need to clear the air on?” Cain sat back in the familiar relaxed posture I’d always associated with my dad.

Knuckles shook his head. “Can’t think of anything.”

“So you’re out for good, then?” The thought of my friend being out of that hellhole made me happy. And I wasn’t too proud to admit I was glad I’d get to see him, if not every day, most days.

“I am.” He grinned. “I’ll still be with you to keep you in line.” He winked at Pippa. “I’ll make sure he always treats you right.”

“You don’t have to worry about him being good to me.” She looked up at me and gave me a watery smile. “He’s treated me better in the last couple of days than I’ve ever been treated. I’m glad you chose him for me.” Christ, I loved the way she phrased that. I’d been chosen. For her protector. To be the man who loved her for the rest of her life.

“Good, then.” Knuckles stood. “I’m going to have a word with Torpedo, and I imagine Cain wants to be in on it.”

“Damned fuckin’ straight.” Dad stood. When he stood in front of us, he leaned down and kissed the top of Pippa’s head. “You let me know if you need anything, honey. You’re my daughter now, too.”

“Just… accept Gunnar for the man he is. I know he can’t do the things with your company his brothers can because of his background. But he’s a good man who would literally give everything to protect his family.”

“I know, honey. I’ve always been proud of Gunnar. All my boys turned out to be great men, but Gunnar is ruthless in a way the others never could be. Mama was right. It was best you got away from me during the years when a boy becomes a man. We’d have been at each other’s throats constantly, and your mother would have divorced me.”

“Yeah, well, the Marines would have been a preferred choice.”

“While I’d have preferred the military to have been in your future instead of prison, I can’t regret what you did or condemn you for it. You protected your sister with everything you had. You did what you thought was the best thing for her in a very fuckin’ bad situation.” He grinned. “I look at it this way. You went to prison and came out a better man for it. That’s something very difficult to accomplish.”

“Don’t know about better, but I’m pretty sure I’m meaner.”

“Christ, I’ve missed you, son.” Cain cleared his throat. Yeah. I got it.

“Damned dust. I’m definitely gonna have to have a word with Torpedo.”

Chapter Eleven

Pippa

When Gunnar and I were finally alone, I had a good cry. And really. It had been a long time coming. Had it only been two days since Gunnar had rescued me? It felt like a lifetime ago. Part of me was afraid this was all a dream. An illusion I’d convinced myself was real to escape the hell I’d been thrust into. But every time I went to sleep, I woke up with Gunnar wrapped around me. He had barely left my side, and only when I had to go to the bathroom. It should have felt smothering. Instead, it felt right. Like this was how my life was supposed to be. It was definitely how I wanted it to be from now on.

“Whatcha doin’, babe?” Gunnar came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my neck. His beard tickled that sensitive spot and I giggled.

“Waiting on you. I thought we’d spend the night at home.” We’d been given indefinite use of the warehouse flat and I was growing to love the wide-open spaces. The place really was fantastic. And so not what I expected from a motorcycle club. Probably why stereotypes weren’t all they were cracked up to be.

“Stay home? You don’t want to go to a wild party?” He grinned against my neck sending shivers through my body.

“Didn’t say that.” I reached behind me and between us to cup the front of his jeans. His cock was rapidly hardening, which was exactly what I wanted.

“Oh? So, youdowant to have a wild party.” He grinned down at me.

“Absolutely. Pretty sure we can have as wild a party as you want right here.”

Gunnar growled low in his throat, his hands tightening on my hips. “You’re playing with fire, little girl.”

I turned in his arms to face him, pressing my body flush against his. “Maybe I want to get burned.”

His eyes darkened with lust as he gazed down at me. Without warning, he scooped me up and tossed me over his shoulder, striding purposefully toward the bed in the far corner of the big flat. I squealed in delight, playfully smacking his firm ass.

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