Page 12 of Gunnar

“Good, then.” Mama had been busy moving around the room getting supplies she thought she might need. I knew she had things at her house, but all her medicines were here where she used them most. “I let Pops know you’d need your own room and he’s making sure you’re all set. If you don’t mind, I’d like to give you a tetanus shot and a shot of penicillin. When I get your test results back, I can give you something else if need be.”

Pippa nodded. “Absolutely. I was gonna ask if you thought I needed something.”

“I’ve got you covered, dear. Before you leave, Pops will bring you a phone. It will have mine and Angel’s numbers in it. I want you to promise to call one of us if you don’t feel well, or if you just need some female backup. We’ll round up the old ladies in force and burn that place to the ground if they don’t treat you right.”

“I’d like to think you’re kidding, but I really don’t think you are.” Pippa’s smile was genuine this time. And so fucking beautiful I almost fell to my knees and worshiped her. She had to be terrified out of her mind, but she was easily the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. It was at that moment I knew I’d do anything to have with this woman what my mother and father had. What Mama and Pops had. What so many of my friends had found while I was locked away.

This woman was my destiny. I knew it like I knew my own name. My life was finally coming into focus with a clarity I’d never expected. Now all I had to do was prove myself worthy of her which… That ship had already sailed. No way a man who’d gone to prison for murder was good enough for the angelic vision before me.

Fine. I might not be worthy of her, but I’d be the most vicious protector anyone could find for her. She’d be my most treasured possession, the person I kept safe and close at all times. I’d be the demon to her angel. And I’d give my last Goddamned breath to see her safe and happy for the rest of my life.

* * *

Pippa

Gunnar helped me into the big-ass Humvee we’d used to get to this place. His touch was gentle as he made sure I was settled comfortably in the back seat next to him. I didn’t buckle my seat belt because, now that it had been a while since I’d been drugged and all that shit was finally getting out of my system, I was starting to feel every ache and pain I had from my extended stay in hell. I was exhausted and sore, but determined to stay awake for the drive to Mama’s house.

“It’s not far.” Gunnar put his arm around me in an awkward gesture. It was almost like he didn’t know what to do with himself. Like he wanted to touch me but was unsure how to go about it. “Just a couple minutes and you can get some decent food in you and rest.”

I nodded, giving him a small smile. “Just tired. And really looking forward to that shower.”

He chuckled, leaning in to brush a kiss against my temple. It wasn’t a gesture he seemed comfortable with but either felt like he should, or he wanted to and wasn’t sure how to go about it. “I bet. Everything’s gonna be fine. I’ll take care of everything.”

I couldn’t lie, even to myself. The idea someone had my back and would protect me until I could get my life back was comforting on an elemental level. I hadn’t had the meltdown I needed, and I knew it would come. I suppose when the time came, I’d find out exactly how serious Gunnar was about this whole old lady thing. Assuming that was like a wife or a permanent relationship. I wasn’t savvy with biker lingo. After the last month of my life in that horrible place, I wasn’t as alarmed by Gunnar inserting himself into my life as I probably should be.

As we drove, I couldn’t help sneaking glances at Gunnar. He was incredibly handsome in a very edgy, even deadly, way. With his shaggy dark hair and intense eyes, he had my attention. But more than that, there was a quiet strength about him that made me feel safe. Probably because he’d rescued me and I knew getting in and out of the place had been more of a feat than I had been able to appreciate at the time. I knew I shouldn’t trust him so quickly after everything I’d been through, but I couldn’t help it. Simply being near him made me feel safe. No matter how awkward his gestures. The man was trying. The more I thought about it, the more I kind of found it charming.

He was right about the ride. It was less than two minutes. It actually took longer for the men who brought us here to get out of the vehicle with all the crap they had on their tactical vests. Gunnar didn’t have a vest on now, but I had vague memories of being juggled around so he could shrug his vest off once we were on the road after my rescue.

We pulled up in front of a ranch-style house. It was by far the biggest in the area, and the whole compound seemed to have been built around this house and the main clubhouse where we’d met Mama. The main building was more like an older resort hotel or something. There was even a courtyard in the back. Mama’s house wasn’t far from the main building, but far enough there was room for other houses to spring up near it, making Mama and Pops -- whom I had yet to meet -- the center of the club.

“I thought you bastards would never bring that sweet girl here so she could eat and rest.” A man who looked to be a few years older than Mama exited the house and skipped down the three steps from the porch like a youngster. He had on faded jeans and a tight, white T-shirt. It had to be at least as old as Mama and, again, though his skin was aged and sun-leathered, he had firm, bulky muscle underneath. He wasn’t as big as the other men around us, but there was something in his gaze that told me he was more dangerous than he seemed. “I’ve got burgers and dogs hot off the grill with all the fixins. Best I could do in a couple of hours.”

Mama got out of the Explorer the women had come in as the man spoke. “I think that will do just fine, Pops. Can’t go wrong there.” She smiled and went to the older man. He pulled her to him with one arm and kissed the top of her head before letting her go. Mama looked up at him and gave the man a soft smile, then she came to me. “Come on, Pippa. Do you want food or a shower first?”

“I think the crackers you let me nibble on earlier along with the water will let me get clean first.” I cringed as I fingered my hair. “I’m not sure even a shower is gonna fix this mess.”

Mama put her arm around me, effectively removing me from Gunnar’s reach with little effort. I looked over my shoulder and whimpered before I could stop myself.

Gunnar immediately stepped closer, his brow furrowed with concern as he reached for me, taking my hand in his firm grip. “What’s wrong, Pippa? Are you in pain?”

I shook my head, feeling foolish. “No, I just… I don’t want you to leave.” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.

His expression softened. “I’m not going anywhere, Pippa. I’ll be here when you’re done getting cleaned up. If it will make you feel better, I’ll stand guard outside the bathroom. You need me -- for anything -- call out and I’ll break the Goddamned door down to get to you.” The more he said, the fiercer his expression, the tighter his hold on my hand until he tugged me away from Mama and wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace.

Mama patted my arm reassuringly, trying to extract me from Gunnar’s hold, but he simply growled at her. Instead of backing down, this tiny, grandmotherly woman pulled me away from Gunnar with gentle encouragement. “Don’t you worry, dear. Gunnar will be waiting for you when you’re ready. Now let’s get you that shower so you can feel more like yourself.”

I nodded, allowing Mama to guide me into the house. As we walked, I glanced back one more time to see Gunnar watching me intently. The intensity in his gaze made my breath catch.

Once inside the house, Mama led me to a bedroom in the back of the house. “There are fresh towels and unopened toiletries in the bathroom just there.” She pointed to a door in the back corner which was slightly ajar. “Take as long as you need. I’ve brought you a few things until Angel and Hannah get here with more for the longer haul.” She dropped a small bundle of items on the bed just as Gunnar entered the room.

“Thank you,” I said softly. “For everything.”

Mama patted my shoulder gently. “You’re safe now. That one will see to it you stay that way.” She nodded in Gunnar’s direction. “If there’s something you need that I missed, let Gunnar know and I’ll bring it to you.” She handed me a small flip phone. “It’s not fancy, but it will let you do what you need. It’s also easy to part with if you get in a pinch and are afraid someone is tracking you.”

“I hadn’t even thought of that,” I whispered. Looking up at Gunnar I know I looked wide-eyed and afraid. “Do you think they’ll come after me?”

“Honey, we didn’t leave anyone alive in that fucking hellhole, and Torpedo’s people cleaned any evidenceanyonewas ever there. Even if someone suspects what went down, there’s no proof of anything, digital or physical.”

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