Page 61 of Gunner

“Can you go a day without drinking?” I asked.

“This is the first drink I’ve had in three fucking days.” He tossed his drink down his throat and knocked his glass on the bar. The kid quickly filled it back up. Despite how much the man intrigued me, I decided to turn off my therapist brain and avoid assessing him like I typically would.

Instead, I asked, “What’s a Soulless Sinner?”

He scoffed. “A fucking noose around my neck.”

“Funny, it doesn’t look like you have anything around your neck.”

The man turned to look at me, and I smiled.

Holding my hand out, I said, “Hi. Dr. Haizley Walker, board-certified psychologist.”

He laughed, taking my hand in his.

“Dr. August Lansing, board-certified physician. Otherwise known as Bane.”

“Well, Bane. I assume that is a road name. Does that mean the Soulless Sinners are a motorcycle club as well?”

“Yea, from New York.”

“New York! What are you doing here?”

He took another drink before answering. “Just needed a break from all the shit back home.”

“I see. So, you decided to come to the middle of nowhere and get involved in the shit there?”

I laughed, and so did Bane.

“Something like that.”

“How do you feel about Diamond Creek?” I asked, trying to hide my grin. I couldn’t help myself; it wasn’t often I got the chance to talk to someone else in the medical field.

Bane turned to look at me and lifted an accusing eyebrow. I lost the fight and threw my head back. Bane just shook his head at me, but I didn’t miss the smile. Something told me this man didn’t smile often.

“Brother, if she can make that surly fucker smile, you better wife her up.”

I jumped at Blade’s words.

I still hadn’t gotten used to seeing him as someone other than Micah, but I was getting there.

“I didn’t realize you were done,” I said to Gunner. He just stood there, staring at me like I was a puzzle he was trying to figure out.

“It was nice talking to you, Dr. Walker,” Bane said, standing from his stool.

“You too, Dr. Lansing.” I put my hand on his arm. “Thank you.”

Bane winked before stopping in front of Gunner.

“The fucker on the couch better watch his step.”

“What the fuck did he do?” Gunner asked, glaring across the room.

Bane walked away without answering.

When Gunner went to take a step, I grabbed his arm.

“Gunner.” He looked back at me, his features softening immediately. “Let it go.”

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