Page 9 of Gunner
“Please . . . don’t tell anyone.” The words spoken caused the dam to break, and my eyes filled with tears as the memory of what I endured came crashing down on me.
He sat next to me and pulled me into his chest, allowing me to cry until I fought for breath. Jacob cried, and Uncle Mick kissed me on the top of my head before he stood, gathering my baby brother into his arms, then knocked on Dalton’s door. I heard him say something to Dalton, and a minute later, he was sitting next to me again.
“Sadie, darlin’, I’m going to call some of my brothers to come and get you and your brothers. I want you to stay at the clubhouse for a while. Would you be okay with that?”
The thought of having to walk past that house every day filled me with terror. I whispered, “Yes.”
“I promise. No one will ever hurt you again.” His voice was filled with anger as he grabbed the phone from his pocket.
I didn’t listen to what he said as I stared at the blank wall in front of me. Within minutes, the rumble of bikes filled the air and some of the panic seeped from me. The President, Smokey, walked inside with his old lady, Piper. She was always nice to me, and when she came and kneeled in front of me, I felt safe.
“Let’s get you some clothes packed, Sadie.”
She offered me her hand, and I stood, pain shooting through my body. I whimpered, and when I glanced over at the Death Hounds who were standing in the living room, I could see the rage and destruction pouring off them.
Piper helped me pack for myself and both boys before assisting me in getting Jacob secured into the back seat of her car. Dalton hopped onto the back of Uncle Mick’s bike, and I gingerly settled into the passenger’s seat with Piper.
We stayed at the clubhouse for weeks. Doc and Piper were the only people who knew exactly what happened to me. Piper held me while I recounted my ordeal and she helped in my healing. Uncle Mick kept his promise, and from that point forward, nothing and no one caused us trouble. When we finally left the clubhouse to go back home, I was shocked to find the house where my attack happened burned to the ground.
The feeling of a wet nose on my hand stirred me from the dark recesses of my mind, and I fought to swim to the surface. I blinked my eyes and my head throbbed as I slowly came to. Looking down, I saw a beautiful German shepherd with its head resting on my stomach, and when I took in my surroundings, I saw a Death Hounds leather cut hanging on a hook.
I was safe within the walls of the compound but had no idea whose room I was in. I tried to speak, but my voice was scratchy and my mouth was dry, and when I coughed, the beautiful dog barked toward the door. Within a few seconds, a man walked in, filling the doorway with his broad shoulders.
I blinked, thinking I must still be dreaming as the handsome man with striking amber eyes and thick blond hair slowly walked to the bed and spoke. “You’re safe, Sadie. I’m Gunner, and this is Bear.”
“Jacob?” I asked, and he jumped when he heard my voice, quickly handing me a bottle of water. I drank deeply and tried again. “Where’s Jacob?”
“He’s with Skid and your uncle. Would you like me to get them?” he asked and started to walk away.
Fear lanced through me at the thought of him leaving, and Bear pushed into my hand. I sat up and grasped Gunner’s hand to stop him from going. The instant my hand touched his, an electrical pulse shot through my veins, calming me. His eyes grew wide and he turned to me, a smile on his face as he intertwined his fingers with mine.
Chapter 5
Kade
Her touch was settling, and the anxiety that was coursing through my veins lessened as I linked my fingers with hers. She tugged on my hand, so I sat down on the bed and slowly reached out, brushing a lock of hair from her face. She leaned into the simple embrace and exhaled. Bear sat next to her, watching both of us as I stared down at her, memorizing every inch of her beautiful face.
