Page 25 of Gunnar

I opened the door and peeked outside. Gunnar had slung on some jeans and had a T-shirt hanging from one fist while and Knuckles was up in his face, pointing a finger. I’d only met my father once years ago, but I was sure the big man was Knuckles. They were on the other side of the big open space so I couldn’t hear what they were saying clearly, but the body language was pretty obvious.

“What’s going on?” I demanded as I hurried to Gunnar’s side. I started to get between the two men, but Gunnar shoved his arm out to prevent me from passing him.

“Do not!” he snapped. “Stay behind me.”

“I’m not letting him get in your face like that.” I tried to duck under Gunnar’s arm, but he snagged me by my shirt collar and tugged me back, side-stepping so I was solidly behind him and Knuckles. Which is when I got a really good look at the man.

Knuckles was fuckinghuge. He looked like a giant next to Gunnar and the other man -- likely Cain, since Gunnar said it was our dads here. He was covered in tattoos over every inch of skin I could see, other than his face and neck. He wore a sleeveless black tank revealing muscled, vein-roped arms. I met his dark gaze and thought better of trying to get around Gunnar again. Instead, I fisted my hand in the back of Gunnar’s shirt and took a half step back to give Gunnar room if he needed to fight.

“I ain’t gonna hurt you,” Knuckles grunted. The expression on his face transformed from anger to contrition. His voice was still gruff, but he looked genuinely distressed. “Sorry.”

Gunnar relaxed slightly but kept me behind him. “It’s all right, Pippa. Your dad just got a little… overexcited.”

“Why?” I couldn’t help the demanding bite to my tone. “He’s the one who told you to make me your old lady. Right?”

Gunnar shrugged but didn’t take his eyes from Knuckles. “Yep.”

I glared at Knuckles. “Then what’s all the fuss?”

“He was on top of you! In fucking bed!” Knuckles lost his cool for about a second before he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I could tell he was inhaling for patience. “He’s not supposed to be in bed with you,” he grumbled. “S’not right.”

“What’s not right? That I shouldn’t have sex with the man who’s making me his old lady? Because if I’m not supposed to have sex with him, who am I supposed to have sex with?”

Gunnar growled as he glanced down at me. “Me. You’re supposed to have sex with me.”

Now it was Knuckles’ turn to growl.

“Sounds like fucking Captain Caveman around here,” I grumbled. “Well?” I looked over at Cain who sat on the couch, sprawled out like he owned the place. “Are you gonna do something?”

“What do you want me to do, honey? I’m an old man. These guys are way tougher than me.” The shit-eating grin on his face said he was enjoying himself.

“You know, I really like Angel. Your wife is a sweetheart. Your daughter, Hannah, too. You? Not so much.”

Cain shrugged. “I always say let boys be boys. They’ll work it out on their own.”

I blew a curl out of my face in exasperation, then turned my attention back to Gunnar and Knuckles. Heaving out a sigh, I focused on Knuckles. It was past time for this meeting. “You’re my dad. Right?”

Knuckles nodded, his expression softening when he looked like it had been carved from granite moments before. “Yeah, sweetheart. I’m your old man.”

“Then why are you fighting with Gunnar?” I frowned, trying my best to adopt a scolding tone when I was angry as fuck. “You punched him in the face! He saved me. Just like you told him to. He’s been nothing but good to me since he found me.”

Knuckles ran a hand over his face and sighed heavily. “I know, I know. I just… seeing him… uh… you know… like that…”

“You want to prevent that in the future?” I raised my eyebrows, putting my hands on my hips, refusing to back down an inch from the big man.

“It would be my sincerest wish.”

“Great! Next time you come for a visit,you will knock on the fucking door!” I gave him a bright smile and threw my hands up like “DUH!” “Problem fucking solved.”

“Also,” Gunnar added, putting his arm around me and pulling me close. “Aren’t you supposed to be in prison?”

The two men stared at each other for several seconds before a grin split Knuckles’s face. “It’s damned good to see you, boy.” Knuckles pulled Gunnar into a tight embrace as both men clapped each other on the back several times. Hard. I thought I saw Gunnar wince, but I’d never say a word. I would never understand male bonding.

Chapter Ten

Gunnar

Once Knuckles let me go, there was my father to deal with. I’d rather continue to let Knuckles beat the fuck outta me than face my father, but I was no coward.

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