Page 54 of Gunner

“What? She can’t go to the clubhouse. She’ll be surrounded by men,” I argued.

“There are women there, too. Sam lives there. Amber.” He lifted an eyebrow, telling me he knew I was meeting with her. “Beck is there every day. She’ll be safe there.”

“I don’t know.”

“Haizley. She can’t stay here. He knows where she lives.”

“I can take her to my house,” I insisted.

I watched his tongue dart out and lick his bottom lip.

Now was not the time to be thinking about Gunner’s tongue.

“I think he’s been watching her.”

That got my attention. I tightened my arms around Aspen, letting her know I wouldn’t leave her.

“Why do you think that?”

“He knew the moment you went outside. He was waiting.”

“Oh my God.”

Gunner moved to the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight as he sat down. He didn’t reach out to touch Aspen, but his voice was soft as if he were talking to a child. She had mentioned to me in the hospital she thought he was scary. His size alone made people wary. I was confident she would be safe at the clubhouse; though, I wasn’t confident that she would feel safe.

“Aspen, honey, I wanna bring you to the clubhouse. You’ll be safe there. No one will hurt you, and no one will be able to get to you.”

She turned toward his voice, still burrowed against me.

“I’m scared.”

“I know, honey. But while there are a lot of men there, every one of them will protect you.”

She peered up at me, fear so prevalent in her eyes. “Will you come too?”

Glancing at Gunner, he had a smile on his face. The nod of his head told me I was welcome.

“Yes, I’ll come with you. Let’s pack up some things.”

“I’ll have Amber make up a room for Aspen.”

“And me?” I asked.

Gunner just smiled and walked out of the room, his phone to his ear once again.

“Haizley?”

“What is it, honey?”

“Do you think I’ll never get back to a place where I’m not scared?”

Aspen sat on the edge of the bed, her hands fisted in her lap, her eyes staring out the window.

“Of course you will. It takes time.”

“How much time?”

Sitting down next to her, I took her hand in mine. “That isn’t an answer I can give you.”

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