Page 82 of Gunner

“What’s goin’ on?” Jack asked.

“Asshole was just upstairs with Gunner’s women.”

“Not Gunner’s woman,” I said, but I was quickly ignored.

“Zero, watch your tone, brother.” King stepped up. “I knew they were up there and there is nothing to concern your ass with. Gunner knows too.”

Turning to King, I put my hands on my hips. “Gunner knows what?”

“That you were with Derek,” King answered.

“I’m gonna go,” Derek said. “I’ll see you next week. Let me know where.”

“I’m sorry about this. I will take care of it.”

“Not your circus, it’s mine. I don’t hold it against them.” Turning to Jack, he said, “I’ll catch you later, ok?”

“Yea, man.” Jack pulled Derek in for a hug, and when he let him go, Derek kissed Sam on the cheek, and then Charlie. Once he was gone, I turned on everyone in the room.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Haizley

“What the hell was that?” I shouted to every man in the room, swinging my arm in the direction of the front door Derek had just walked through.

“You don’t know what he fucking did,” Zero clipped back.

“Actually, I know exactly what he did because he just told me.”

“Probably downplayed it,” the arrogant man grumbled.

“Zero! Enough,” Sam admonished him, then continued, “We have talked about this. Derek is welcome here. He is Jack’s brother, and Charlie’s uncle. He saved her life! You don’t get to be an ass to him. Not when we have forgiven him.”

Zero lowered his head and stared at his shoes. A few other brothers also showed their shame at Sam’s words. It was interesting to watch as she chastised them all with a few sentences of fact. I had come to realize after being here only a day or two that Sam was important to these men.

“Baby,” Jack cooed.

“No, Jack. I am tired of this bullshit. If they can’t let this go, then screw the house. I won’t raise my children where their uncle isn’t welcome.” She turned back to the men. “He’s trying. He’s making the effort. I expect the same from each and every one of you.” She folded her arms over her chest, resting themon her swollen belly. “Unless you aren’t man enough to let go of petty bullshit that does not affect you?”

When the blow to their egos was met with silence, Sam grabbed Charlie’s hand and waddled from the room.

Jack watched her go for a moment and then glared at his brothers.

“Great fuckin’ job. You pissed her off. You know she’ll tell Beck and then you’re all fucked,” Jack alleged before following Sam out of the room.

Mumbles and murmurs went through the room. Amber had shared with me a little about Beck and her relationship to the club. Being the president’s niece had its advantages.

“Sam’s right. Derek is trying. He agreed to therapy because he wants to get to know his family,” King stressed.

“We didn’t know why he was here. He went upstairs with Gunner’s woman—”

“I AM NOT GUNNER’S WOMAN!” I yelled across the room.

Taking a deep breath and counting to ten, I kept my eyes closed for another few beats before finally feeling under control again.

“I am here in this clubhouse for one reason only. Aspen. I do not belong to Gunner. We barely know each other. Therefore, I do not answer to Gunner. Or any of you.”

“Let me remind you, this is my house and you are here as a curtesy,” King countered.

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