Gunner (Ride Series Second Generation Book 4) Read online

  He nodded and left the room, leaving me to stare up at the ceiling. The silence of the house immediately closed in, and I shuddered at the thought of a long night alone. Grace was likely taking care of Layla’s daughter, Riley, which was exactly what she should be doing.

  I wondered if I shouldn’t pack a bag and stay at my parents’ house for the night. Before I could decide, Gunner was back with the items I’d requested.

  He helped me sit up, and I swallowed the painkillers and placed the ice pack on my face.

  “Being punched sucks.” I winced.

  He sat on the edge of my bed, next to me, staring down at his hands clasped between his thighs. “It does,” he agreed. “Wish like hell you’d never known what it feels like.”

  “What, no standard Gunner quip? Not gonna throw me shit about how ridiculous I look?” I goaded lightly. He’d certainly never held back before.

  He looked over at me, his eyes blazing. “There’s nothing fucking funny about this, Emmie. Christ. You were fucking kidnapped! And I find people. It’s what I do. You know this. But it took way too fucking long….” He broke off, his tone anguished.

  “I’m okay,” I assured him quietly. “You did find me. And Cash will find Layla,” I stated firmly. There just wasn’t another option I’d accept.

  My hand shook as I tried to hold the ice pack in place.

  “Here, lie back, let me,” he coaxed, nudging me to lie back as he held the ice pack gently to my face.

  I closed my eyes, unable to bear the intimacy of him so close.

  When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse with emotion. “The sight of you racing out of those woods will haunt me for the rest of my life, Em.”

  I opened my eyes, taking in the torment in his features, shocked by his admission. I was so tempted to find hope in his words, but I’d already tried that, and I knew full well where I’d end up: just as battered on the inside as I was on the outside.

  When his phone pinged with a text, his jaw clenched. “It’s Cash.”

  I bolted upright. “Did they find Layla? Is she okay?” I demanded.

  “It sounds like it.” He nodded with relief, appearing torn between his duty to the club and whatever concern he might feel for me.

  “Go,” I pressed. “I need to rest anyway.”

  His eyes flashed, his jaw clenching. “All right, but Emmie? I need you to understand, things between us? Everything has changed.” He swept a hand over my hair as I tried and failed to fully register his statement. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Then we’ll talk. If you need anything, you let me know, and I’ll make sure you have it. Okay?”

  I nodded, not fully understanding what I was agreeing to.

  When my younger brother Mason texted moments later from Denver after hearing what happened, things came into sharp focus.

  I needed a break. From everything that had happened, from Gunner, from Hawthorne.

  And with that, I was on the last flight out, headed for Colorado.

  Chapter 1

  EMMIE

  I gazed dispassionately at the landscape of Denver as we taxied the runway.

  I ignored the concerned looks and outright stares from my fellow passengers as I gathered my things and disembarked from the plane. I knew I looked frightful, my face even more bruised and swollen than it had been. I pulled my sunglasses further up my nose and held my head high as I strode through the airport.

  It was only when I saw Mason waiting for me at baggage claim, concern marring his handsome face, that my chin wobbled.

  He wrapped me in a hug, his huge form dwarfing mine. “Good to see you, sis,” he murmured.

  I nodded, pushing back from him, determined not to fall apart in public. Especially with so many people staring.

  But this time, they weren’t staring at me. They were staring at my brother, Mason Jackson. The quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

  The fact that my brother was a football star was surreal at best.

  “Do you have more bags?” he asked, taking the duffle I carried and hoisting it over his shoulder.

  I shook my head.

  “Let’s get outta here then,” he replied, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, seemingly ignoring all the phones pointed in our direction.

  “You didn’t have to come get me,” I murmured. “It’s late. I could have taken an Uber.”

  He shot me an annoyed glance. “Of course I came to get you.”

  “But everyone is staring and taking pictures,” I protested.

  “I’m used to it.” He shrugged as we stopped in front of his black Range Rover and he put my duffle in the back.

  He glanced around, making sure we were alone before turning to me. “Let me see, Em.”

  I sighed but relented, lifting my glasses.

  “Shit, Emmie,” he muttered when he got the first look at my face. “Do we need to stop and get anything for you?”

  I shook my head. “I’m okay. It looks worse than it feels. I just need to rest.”

  “Okay.” He nodded, helping me into the passenger seat before moving to the driver side and firing up the engine.

  It was a relatively short drive to Mason’s grandiose home in the gated community he lived in. I’d been to visit once before with my parents but was still shocked at the size of his home, complete with pillars and a circular driveway, as he pulled into the garage.

  “Guest room’s all set up,” he told me as we walked through the massive gourmet kitchen and up the staircase. “Do you want to head straight to bed?”

  I nodded wearily. Exhaustion was hitting me hard, and I doubted I could muster more than brushing my teeth before I collapsed.

  He squeezed my shoulder. “Okay, we’ll talk tomorrow.”

  I nodded, grateful to be given space while still knowing he was there if I needed.

  When I collapsed on the down comforter moments later, my face throbbing like a heartbeat, I worried briefly that I wouldn’t be able to find sleep after everything that had happened.

  As it turned out, I needn’t have worried. I was asleep before I could form another thought.

  “Em? You up?” Mason’s voice sounded through the door as I looked over blearily at the clock. I’d slept for close to fourteen hours, and it still didn’t feel like enough.

  “Yeah,” I replied as he opened the door and came to sit on the side of the bed.

  He looked down at me worriedly as I moved to a seated position, rubbing a hand over my rumpled hair. Though Mason was younger than me by a few years, he was no less protective than my older brothers or my pop. “You slept a long time,” he observed.

  “I’m okay,” I assured him quietly, though I had to admit, I wasn’t sure it was true.

  “How about some food?” he offered hopefully.

  I wrinkled my nose at the thought of food, and he sighed. “Em, I get you want your space, but if I don’t take good care of you, Ma will have my neck. She and Pop are trying to give you your space, but we all know they’re chomping at the bit as it is.”

  “Ugh, fine,” I grumbled petulantly, making him chuckle. “If I can find my way to your kitchen.”

  He chuckled. “I know it’s big,” he admitted, “but you know I didn’t pick the house.” He watched as I slung my legs over the side of the bed and heaved myself up. My body felt so heavy.

  “Yeah, yeah, your manager did.” I nodded dutifully, following him out of the room. “Doesn’t mean you can’t downsize. I mean, seriously, Mason.” I gestured to the huge ceilings and grandiose staircase we were currently making our way down. “I got lost last time I was here trying to find the laundry room, and I’m not kidding.”

  “Em, you could get lost in a cardboard box,” he pointed our dryly. “And I’m hardly ever here anyway.” We hit the bottom stair. “And speaking of, you remember I have to head out tomorrow morning for an away game? I should only be gone a few days.”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I assured him, and not for the first time. “You sure it’s okay that I stay?�
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  “Em, like I’ve told you, stay as long as you want, seriously,” he said firmly before gesturing to the bagels and fresh fruit laid out on the counter. “Grab some food.”

  “Bossy,” I muttered, though I made up a plate and took a seat at the bar as he stood on the other side drinking a protein shake.

  “Did you talk to Layla?”

  I nodded. Grace had called as soon as they’d found her, banged up, terrified, but safe and sound. “She’s doing well, considering. Cash is keeping a close eye on her, and the girls have all been checking in,” I shared.

  “Glad she’s doing okay.” He nodded. “Your face looks a little better.”

  I scoffed. “You’re a terrible liar, Mace.”

  He cocked his head to the side, appraising me with a thoughtful look. “We gonna talk about the real reason you’re hiding out here?”

  I wasn’t surprised he was pressing the point. Hell, if anything, he’d waited longer than I’d expected.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” I replied in a futile bid to avoid the topic.

  He snorted. “You’re full of shit.”

  I had to laugh at his apt appraisal. He didn’t mince words, never had. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

  “So?” he prompted. “How about I help you out. It begins with Gunner,” he added with a raised brow when I struggled with how to start.

  I looked over at him in surprise. “How do you know about Gunner?”

  He gave me an incredulous look. “Seriously, Em? You two have been dancing around each other since before I left for college. Maybe it might help if you actually talked about it for a change,” he coaxed.

  I’d kept my feelings for Gunner close to the chest, even from my best friends and from my family, though clearly it was the worst-kept secret in all of Hawthorne. It wasn’t like me not to talk things out, but when it came to Gunner, it was all so raw, any possibility of us so terrifyingly exhilarating that I never wanted to risk voicing my feelings for him out loud.

  Now that those dreams needed to die and stay buried, I might as well get it out.

  “Things with us have always been confusing,” I murmured. “For so long, he was just my older brother’s best friend—his annoying best friend,” I hastened to add. Max and Gunner had become fast friends in grade school once we’d moved to Hawthorne when my aunt—now adopted mother—Jill and Cal took us in. Gunner and Max had bonded quickly, both new in school, Gunner having moved to town with his mom a few weeks after we had. He’d been a frequent visitor and dinner guest in our house ever since.

  “After he was shot, I started seeing him differently,” I mused, knowing he’d remember the incident well. “I knew my feelings had changed, but he still treated me the same. Keeping me at arm’s length, throwing the occasional teasing barb my way that I used to ignore and now actually hurt.” I swallowed hard, pushing a piece of fruit around on my plate.

  “I was so sure my feelings were one-sided despite what everyone was always saying. And then, right before the kidnapping, we sort of… kissed.” I figured I’d leave it at that. My younger brother hardly needed all those particular details. “I thought maybe it would mean something.” I grimaced at the hope I’d held so fiercely. “But he made it perfectly clear that there isn’t going to be an us. Then after my kidnapping, he acted like there’s more to talk about. I just can’t be on the roller coaster that is Gunner anymore.”

  “First, do you need me to kick his ass?” Mason demanded.

  I smiled at his sincere offer that I knew he would fully follow through on if I asked. He and Gunner were well-matched physically, and I honestly couldn’t say who would win if it ever came to it. “No.” I shook my head. “But thanks.”

  “I’m sorry you’re hurting, Em.” He sighed. “And without knowing the details, all I can say is that Gunner has a lot of walls up. You know this. He covers them through either lashing out or being the joker, but you don’t deserve to be the victim of that. You deserve to be treated like a queen, and if he can’t man up and do that, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

  “Thanks,” I murmured. “I’ll be okay.” I tried to assure him as much as myself.

  He regarded me seriously. “I have no doubt you’ll be fine, Emmie. You’re strong as hell. Always have been.”

  I cocked my head to the side, studying my younger brother, and for the first time since I’d arrived realized how selfish I’d been to not notice that he wasn’t happy. “Mace, is everything okay with you?”

  “Everything’s fine.” He shrugged.

  “Let’s take a page outta the book you just threw at me and call bullshit,” I replied with an arched brow.

  He chuckled. “I’m fine, Em. I like playing ball. I have solid teammates. Colorado’s a beautiful spot.”

  “But…,” I coaxed.

  He made a grumbling sound of concession, knowing I was just as stubborn as he was. “But the fame I could do without, the girls who only want to bag a football star.” He grimaced. “It’s just not my scene. It can all be a little isolating, is all.” He shrugged. “And listen to me, whining like a fucking pussy when I’m getting to live out the dream I’ve worked for almost all of my life. When I’m so fucking lucky.” He snorted in disgust.

  “It’s not a dream if it’s not the life you want to live,” I defended him. “That’s why I’ve commented on this house.” I gestured to the cavernous space. “It’s not you. And even if it was, it’s gotta be fucking weird living in this massive place by yourself. Start by making your own home. Your girl will follow,” I advised.

  As big and imposing as he might look, my younger brother had a huge heart, always had. I could only hope he’d meet a woman who wanted to know and love the real Mason Jackson and not just the football star.

  “You’re probably right. I’ll look into it,” he agreed. “In the meantime, you should use this time to see all the sights I haven’t. Get out and enjoy yourself. It would make me feel less guilty for leaving you.”

  “You don’t have to feel bad, Mason,” I told him for what felt like the hundredth time. “I showed up unexpectedly on your doorstep. I don’t expect you to cancel your life for me. This is a big game; you can’t miss it.”

  Conflict raged on his face as he looked at me. “You’ll take the car? My credit card? Stock up on whatever you want. Go shopping if you want to. Seriously, Em. Whatever you need.”

  “I will,” I promised.

  “Good.” He nodded. “Now, you wanna watch something? Figured it might be a good day to hang around here and chill.”

  “Sounds perfect,” I agreed, thinking about what he’d said about Gunner and his walls. I couldn’t help but wonder who would be able to break them down. I was surprised at how bereft I felt at the realization that it wouldn’t be me.

  Chapter 2

  GUNNER

  Leaning over the pool table, I shot the eight ball into the corner pocket with a force both unnecessary and impossible to hold back. After catching the few hours of sleep I could manage, I’d beat the shit out of my punching bag before coming to the club, typically a sanctuary for me, but today such a place didn’t exist.

  She was gone. I’d let her slip through my goddamn fingers. Hell, after all these years, I’d practically shoved her through.

  “Gun,” Cash greeted, walking through the club, his eyes trained on me. I hadn’t returned his texts and was unsurprised he’d sought me out. I didn’t have any blood brothers of my own, but the Knights MC, many of its members I’d known since I moved to town when I was eight, were as close to family—closer, maybe—than many ever had.

  I looked up from the pool table, my hands braced on its edge.

  “What’s up?” he asked, striding closer. “You look like shit.”

  “Thanks.” I laughed without humor.

  “Seriously, what’s going on?” he pressed.

  I hung my head low, flicking my wrist, sending one of the balls flying across the table. “She left.”

  “Who?” he as
ked. Then recognition seemed to dawn. “Emmie?”

  I nodded, ripping a hand over my hair. “Went to Colorado.”

  “And she already left?” he asked. “Did anyone know she was leaving?”

  I shook my head. “If they did, they didn’t tell me. I didn’t even get a chance to…. I was going to…. Fuck!” I exploded, tossing my cue across the room.

  Seeing her run out of the woods, her face swollen and bruised, her limbs barely carrying her, had been a moment of stark realization.

  Not that I loved her. I already knew that. Had known it for years. No, it was the realization that keeping her at arm’s length only hurt us both.

  He got in my face, shoving at my chest. “Whatever you were going to say, whatever you were going to do, you still can. You two have let way too much time go by without sorting out whatever the hell is between you. I say get your ass on a plane and go get your girl.”

  All Cash had done was confirm something I already knew. And with that, I was buying a plane ticket as I stalked to my bike, intent on getting to my girl.

  * * *

  I held my phone to my ear as I waited for my flight to board that afternoon.

  “Gun,” Mason greeted, his tone cool.

  “Hey, man,” I replied. “I’m on my way to Denver. Flight boards in thirty minutes. Are you with Emmie? She’s not answering her phone.”

  He snorted. “I can guess why she’s not picking up, man. And no, I’m not there. Had to fly out of town for a game.”

  The knowledge that she was alone had my fists clenching. “You left her alone? Is she okay?” I demanded.

  “You’re one to fucking talk.” His retort was sharp and all too accurate. “And, not so sure I’m cool with you coming to Denver,” he added.

  I wrapped a hand around the back of my neck, pacing the floor, knowing I had work to do, and not just with Emmie. “I deserve that, Mace. But I love her, man. I know I should have owned up to that long before now. I had my reasons. But I’m doing it now. I need to make this right. I want to take care of her.”