Page 120 of Gunner

“Not a fucking bicycle,” he growled without any heat.

“No.”

“Then take your car. It’s warm today, but on the bike the windchill drops. Need to get you some leathers for riding.”

“Leather clothes?”

“Pants, jacket, gloves. The wind gets cold, and the leather helps block it.”

“How about just not ride in the winter?”

“Cause the winter is too fucking long. I don’t know what Blade was thinking, suggesting fucking Nebraska. There’s so much fucking snow here.”

“I’m sure he was hoping Beck would come home.”

Gunner looked at me and smiled.

“Yea. I should thank him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have you.” He pressed his lips to mine for a chaste kiss. Even his chaste kiss had me leaning into him when he pulled away. He chuckled at my reaction and gave me a cocky grin. “Come on. I’ll follow you.”

Gunner led me outside, opening my car door for me so I could climb in. I started the ignition and gawked at him as he swung a long, powerful leg over the seat of his motorcycle. When he started his bike, the rumble of the engine settled somewhere deep inside me.

My thoughts went to Missy, and I wondered, not for the first time, why she hated bikers so much. I’d heard stories of outlaw clubs, of course, and what Amber had told me about the club that’d had a hand in her captivity, being a part of the club that had ultimately rescued her, showed that there were always bad seeds.

I wondered if there were bad seeds in the Silver Shadows. Diesel always stuck by Aspen’s side and growled at certain members, keeping them away from her. Maybe I should ask Gunner about those members.

The drive to the clubhouse was quick and uneventful. But when we pulled into the lot, my anxiety soared. I sat in my car, unable to move. I wasn’t sure how many of them had been at my house last night. But I knew Gunner had help cleaning up my mess.

I jumped when my door opened and Gunner squatted down in the opening.

“You ok?”

“Do they all know?” I asked, still staring at the looming building in front of me.

“King called church last night and told the brothers. The girls don’t know.”

“What about Aspen?”

“She doesn’t know. King thought it best for you to decide what she should be told. Normally, we wouldn’t share this with the women at all. But given it affects Aspen directly, it’s your decision as her therapist.”

“Ok, I have a session with her this morning. I’ll decide then what to tell her.”

“You feel up to doing a session?”

I turned to him, confused. “Of course.”

“Ok. Let’s get inside.”

Nodding, I stepped out of the car when he straightened up and stepped back. Gunner held my hand as we walked inside. Everything seemed normal. Aside from the cursory glance to see who walked in, everyone went about their business as though nothing had happened.

“Have you two eaten?”

I giggled, and Gunner pinned me with a sharp look. Pulling my lips between my teeth, I stayed quiet and let him answer.

“No.”

“Ok, grab some food, then meet me in church. Both of you.” King walked into the kitchen and came back out a few minutes later with a cup of coffee, then disappeared behind the church doors.

Gunner lifted the lid off the first steel container that kept the food warm and inside held a pile of pancakes.

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