Page 51 of Gunner

“How do you know that? Oh My God!” she whisper-yelled; she was mad enough to yell but didn’t want whoever she was with to hear her. “Gunner, what I do with my time does not concern you.”

“Tell me where you are, Haizley. And who the fuck you’re with.”

“It is None. Of. Your. Business.”

She punctuated every word as if she thought I wouldn’t understand unless she spoke perfectly clearly. I understood more than she knew.

“Little Lamb, don’t make me hunt you down.”

I started up my bike. It was finally warm enough to park the fucking cage where it belonged.

“I wasn’t playing when I told that kid you were mine. I want to know where you are.”

“I cannot believe you. You can’t just decide you want someone and then poof they belong to you.”

I heard the frustration in her voice. It was the same frustration the day Brian was bothering her on the sidewalk.

“Haizley, tell me where you are, baby.”

I knew if I said it the right way, with just enough authority, just enough growl, she’d tell me what I wanted to know. As soon as I heard the sigh, I knew I had her.

“I can’t tell you where I am, Gunner.”

Wait, what?

“But I will tell you I am safe and with a patient.”

A smile spread across my face. She didn’t give me everything I wanted, but she conceded. It was a start.

I had to remind myself she didn’t know the rules.

I had to give her grace.

For now.

“Ok, baby. I’m glad you’re safe. Are you still in town? And is this patient male or female?”

The giggle slipped out. I knew that by the sound of her hand slapping over her mouth she wasn’t as mad as she tried to sound.

“Haizley.”

“Yes, I am in town. And my patient is female. Please don’t ask me anything more, Gunner. I have rules and laws I have to abide by.”

“I don’t like rules, baby, unless I set them.”

“Well, you don’t have a choice in these. I am going to hang up now. Bye, Gunner.”

“Bye, little lamb.”

She disconnected the call, and I quickly made another one.

“What’s up, man?”

“Hey, Nav. I have a number. I need a trace on it.”

“What kind of trace?” he asked hesitantly.

“I need to know where it is. Right now.”

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