Page 11 of Gunnar

“I think you really might be avoiding your father.” I kept my expression as blank as I could until Mama barked out a laugh before clapping a hand over her face. Then Angel and Mama both started laughing and I couldn’t help but smile.

Gunnar shook his head, but he was grinning. “Wait until you meet my dad. You’ll understand.”

Chapter Four

Gunnar

I had no intention of waiting around until my dad got here. Not necessarily because I didn’t want to face him yet, though I’d admit to being a little… apprehensive. If my brothers had given us this kind of welcome, I had no idea if they were playing off my father or simply protecting their families. I could kind of understand the second, but if that was the case, they didn’t see me and Pippa as important as the rest of the family. I was already roiling on the inside. The last thing I wanted was confirmation of how badly I’d fucked up with my dad.

Pippa squeezed my hand and gave me a small smile. She was doing this for me when I could tell she didn’t want to be by herself. But she didn’t know me. I thought she might trust me since I’d been the one to rescue her, but she had to be questioning everything around her after finding out what I’d done. It was just one more blow to my chest, because I intended to keep my promise to Knuckles. I would claim Pippa as my old lady whether she wanted me to or not. With that claim, I’d treat her with the respect an old lady deserves. If she didn’t want me in any other capacity, that was her choice, but I’d always be there to protect and care for her until I died, or Knuckles revoked the privilege.

“Mama, is there somewhere Pippa can have some privacy to clean up and rest?”

“You can bring her home,” my mother interjected, reaching out to take Pippa’s hand. Mom looked like she was barely holding on to more tears. Though she was trying to give Pippa a welcoming smile, her lower lip trembled and her eyes were glossy with unshed tears.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mom.” I tried to be as gentle as I could while trying to do what I felt was best for Pippa. I wanted her comfortable. While my mother and sister would be nice to Pippa, I knew my brothers didn’t want us here, not really, and having us stay for any length of time would cause friction between my mother and sister and my brothers. And I hadn’t even seen Hannah yet.

“Just until you get ready to leave.” Mom gave me a pleading look. “That way you won’t have to leave Pippa in a strange place by herself.” Trust my mother to cut to the root of the problem. She had always known me better than anyone else.

“I have a better idea.” Mama crossed her arms over her chest and glanced to the door where my brothers were just outside. “You can bring Pippa to my house. Pops can keep out anyone you don’t want to talk with, and you will be close to Pippa.”

“Surely you don’t think someone would hurt Pippa while she’s inside this compound.” My mother looked from me to Mama. “This is the safest place she could possibly be.”

“Angel, the president and vice president of Bones are under the impression they are protecting the women and children in the club. Given both their wives are pregnant, their protective instincts are on high alert.”

Mom narrowed her eyes at Mama before looking back to my brothers. “Gunnar would never put this club or anyone inside it in danger intentionally. He’s family. Anyone he says needs our protection will get it.” Her fierce defense of me chipped away at the ice around my heart. It was hard enough to see my mother this upset, because I knew how much her family meant to her. She would be horrified that my brothers would even consider turning us out on our own.

“Like it or not, Mom, they’re doing what’s best for the club and everyone inside. I can take care of Pippa. I have a plan in place. We’ll be all right.”

Mom’s gaze flitted to Pippa, then back to Mama before reluctantly nodding. No doubt she’d hoped to get me home so she could convince me to stay. If I was honest, part of me wanted to go with her. I’d been sixteen when I’d gone to prison. I wasn’t a kid by any means, but I still missed my mother. Seeing her on the other side of bulletproof glass or in a room with a dozen or more people I didn’t know where half of them were convicted felons just wasn’t the same. I hadn’t been able to give her a hug in fifteen years. Or Hannah.

“I thought Pippa was your woman.” Mom looked confused as she looked back at Mama. “You said she was his woman.”

“She’s his.” Mama didn’t sound the least bit unsure. “He just hasn’t told her yet.”

“This isn’t the place for this.” My soft tone was deceptive because I was starting to get pissed. Mama was the best of the best. She’d helped raise me and all my brothers and sisters, but she was deliberately pushing me, trying to bully me into telling my parents everything. The truth was, I wasn’t ready. But more importantly, the last thing I wanted to do was frighten Pippa.

“What haven’t you told me?” Pippa met my gaze with wide, guileless eyes when I suspected she was anything but. She was trying to pretend there wasn’t a possibility she was in a worse situation than what she’d just escaped.

“I swear I’ll tell you later, but I think you really need some food, a shower, and some rest. But I promise you, you’re safe. And you have the right to refuse any claim I have on you. This is as much for your protection as it was to keep a promise to a very good friend.”

“Knuckles?”

“Yeah, baby. Knuckles asked me to rescue you and protect you after I got you free. He told me to make you my old lady, so that’s what I’m gonna do. How much you want to be involved with me is up to you, but you will have my property patch and the protection of my club.”

“Isn’t this your club?” Her expression was carefully neutral, but I could tell she was trying to make a point. Bones should have been my club. Cain had been letting me go with them on runs and teaching me how to handle myself in combat, all trying to prepare me for taking my place in the club and in my father’s paramilitary organization, ExFil. I had planned on putting in my time in the military, maybe even doing teams training and serving an extended enlistment. All with the goal of taking my place with the rest of my family as part of Bones. In a way, Bones MC was more important to me than anything on that list of life goals because Bones was family. Until everything changed.

“It was.” I smiled to soften the blow those words caused to myself. “And it will always be important to me. But I chose this path. Now I have to accept the consequences and follow it. Kiss of Death has some family too. Just as close as everyone here. Mom knows that. Everything will work out.”

Pippa’s gaze shifted to the door where Ice and Cyclone stood just outside the open clinic door, listening and whispering to each other. “I think you’re right.” When she met my gaze again, she held it. “I’ll trust you. You know what’s best. They might not want us here, but they’ve not said anything to indicate you’re like the people you rescued me from. Besides, you’ve been really nice to me. I’d probably be…” She trailed off and the color drained from her face. “I don’t want to think about it.”

“You don’t have to because it’s not going to happen. I swore to Knuckles I’d protect you with my life, and that’s what I intend on doing.” I grinned at her before addressing Mama. “We’ll take you up on your offer, Mama.” When Mom gave a distressed whimper, Ice went to her, putting his arms around her. “I want you and Hannah to come with me and Pippa. I need to spend as much time with the two of you as I can before me and Pippa leave. I’ve missed you, and I want Pippa to know you guys.”

Mom gave me a watery smile. “We missed you too. Mama, me, and Hannah will come to you in a bit. I need to make a stop to pick up some clothes for Pippa.” Mom smiled at my woman. “I don’t have time to get anything expensive, but I can get you new underwear, socks, and shoes, as well as a couple pairs of jeans and three or four T-shirts. If you have to leave, we’ll make sure you’re ready for the trip.” Mom brushed a tear from her cheek as she reached for Pippa, pulling her into a warm embrace. “Please don’t judge us because Cliff and Daniel are being assholes. They’re not bad men either. Just… hurt their little brother didn’t need their help.”

Mom let Pippa go but not before she spilled more tears as she traced one dark bruise on Pippa’s face with gentle fingers. “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

Pippa shrugged, trying for a tremulous smile but coming up a little short. “It worked out. At least, I hope it has.” Pippa lowered her gaze. She obviously had her doubts -- and I didn’t blame her -- but I thought she was probably too weak and tired to worry about it.

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