Page 32 of Gunner

I’ve seen him watching me too, thinking I don’t notice. But how could I not when his gaze is so penetrating and intense that it sends waves of pleasure down my body?

“Why don’t you get some rest? We’ll hang out here,” Emma suggests, straightening my blankets and covering me up.

That’s not a bad idea, since I am pretty tired now that my pain meds are kicking in. It doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep, but I struggle to stay that way when my thoughts remain focused on Caleb and James.

Light tapping on the door causes me to stir from my nap. The girls and I crane our necks to peek around the corner. “Ms. Carter?”

I sit up in bed and Emma helps me rearrange my pillows. “That’s me.” I’m surprised when I see the uniformed officer step farther into my room, since I already gave a statement in the ER.

“My name is Officer Johnson, ma’am. I’m with the Carnage Police Department. I have some questions for you if you don’t mind?”

He looks about my age, with cropped, golden-blond hair and ocean-blue eyes. He’s attractive, but I’m leery. Emma and Sienna seem to be as well.

Considering recent events, James warned me to be mindful of any conversations I have with the local PD. The club has suspicions they’re doing the mayor’s dirty work since they arrested a couple Disciples a few weeks ago. The charges were unfounded and ultimately dropped. But they don’t believe the cops can be trusted, not that they ever thought that anyway.

I answer him cautiously. “Sure.”

Officer Johnson comes closer, standing at the end of my bed with the girls sitting on each side of me. His gaze flicks to my friends before returning to me.

With a slight lift of my chin, I firmly but respectfully express, “I’d appreciate them staying. Thank you.”

His lips press together. “Fine,” he concedes—his tone suggests otherwise—but I don’t care. They’re staying. He retrieves a small notepad and pen from his belt, but doesn’t poise his hands to take any notes. “Now, Ms. Carter, I’m sorry for what you’ve been through today, but can you tell me what happened?”

“I would’ve thought you’d already be informed?” That may not be true, but something about this guy is off and I don’t like it.

His smile is forced as he narrows his gaze. “Yes, well, we like to hear the victim’s side of the story.”

Side of the story?

I hold back a huff as I once again recount the events from earlier today. “I was attacked in my home, and someone kidnapped my son, Caleb. He’s six years old with green eyes and sandy-brown hair. And he was wearing a red T-shirt with a yellow dump truck on the front and blue jeans.”

The officer doesn’t write down a word I’m saying. “Right, we’re currently looking into that.”

“Then why are you here if you already know? Shouldn’t you be searching for my son?”

Emma places her hand over mine, sensing the annoyance rising in my voice.

But Officer Johnson ignores me and continues. “Ms. Carter, I understand you were brought in by James Black, a known member of Satan’s Disciples. He also goes by the name Gunner. How well do you know him?”

“What does that have to do with my child?”

“We’ve not been able to locate Mr. Black here in the hospital. Do you have a number for him? Has he contacted you recently?”

Now I get it. He’s just here to dig up dirt. But why? Is it for money? Not that the reason matters, because he won’t get shit from me.

My anger rises, but I pinch my thigh beneath the sheets to rein it in. No way in hell I’m giving this man what he wants. “No, he hasn’t. Have you heard anything about my son? What news do you have about that?” I give the man a hard stare, noting that his left eye twitches.

“Ma’am, like I said, we are working on it. But if you know something about James Black, then you need to tell me.”

Losing my control, I bark, “What the hell does that have to do with my son?” I sit up straighter in my bed, ready to give him what for. “I already told you I haven’t talked to him since he came with me in the ambulance. And obviously he’s not here. So, no, I haven’t heard from him.”

“But you are dating?”

“Yes!”

Sienna stands, looking like she might throw this guy out of my room. She’s not my attorney, but she’ll always be a lawyer and it appears her instincts are kicking in.

“Well, if you’re dating, shouldn’t you know where he is? Doesn’t he care that you are lying in a hospital bed right now?” Officer Johnson lifts a brow. “Why’d he leave?”

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