Page 38 of Gunner

“You’re the one who’s fucked. And I doubt your sorry little club gives a rat’s ass about it.”

“You think that stunt you pulled today is enough to knock down the Outlaws? Well, fuck all of you. You bastards have had control over Carnage for too damn long and it won’t be yours for much longer.”

Venom leers over him. “That so, motherfucker? You think you can take this city from us?” Rage brews beneath his surface, but as usual, he remains in control.

Striker continues to spew more of his bullshit. “We’re not some shitty MC anymore. You got no idea who we’re working with now. We ain't the only ones tired of you assholes.”

Sentinel squats down and jabs a finger into the wound on the fucker’s forearm, twisting it around until the hole is gaping. Blood gushes out when he drops his hand, and he quickly wipes it off on Striker’s cut. “Why don’t you enlighten us, then,” he mocks over Striker’s loud bellows.

“I’m gonna kill every single one of you!” he screams in pain, spittle flying from his mouth. Then his wild gaze meets mine. “Starting with that filthy slut. You should’ve heard her begging for my cock like a deprived whore. She loved every second of me coming inside her dirty cunt over and ov?—”

Without thinking, I place the muzzle of my gun over his heart and empty my mag. Then I spit on him again, smearing the back spatter from my hand on the front of his dingy shirt. I’m pissed off he got the best of me, causing my fury to boil over. But my irritation is marginally soothed when I see blood pooling around his lifeless body.

I’ll see you in hell, motherfucker.

The pain in my leg intensifies, and I grunt when I rise from the floor. Country stands to my left, directing his attention my way. “I saw you take that hit. You alright, brother?”

I wave him off. “Asshole got me pretty good, but it’s nothing Doc can’t handle. Have him pull around and pick me up. We’ll send someone to get my bike.”

“You got it,” he says with a Southern drawl.

Throttle pockets Striker’s gun. “Go take care of your boy and his mama. We’ll handle the rest.”

“Call Mr. X,” Venom instructs. “He knows the drill.”

The man has been a cleaner for a long time, getting plenty of business from us and other clients. He’ll make sure this looks like nothing ever happened.

A car horn blares outside before Reaper walks through the front door. I slap him on the shoulder as I pass by, mindful of my injured leg on the way to Doc’s SUV. Crusher hops out of the back, and I take his place while he joins the others inside the house.

Tears stream down Caleb’s face while he clutches a stuffed blue dinosaur I’ve never seen before. “Did the man hurt you?” He points at my leg, to the spot where blood has soaked through my jeans.

The adrenaline must be wearing off because I’m starting to feel a little woozy. “Don’t worry. Doc’s gonna fix me right up, and then I’ll take you to your mama.”

“Is… is he…” Caleb squeezes his toy tighter. “Is he still in there?” Unease creases his little brow, and I drag him across the seat into my side.

“You’ll never see him again, buddy. I promise.” I shift over as my leg throbs. “Now tell me… who’s your friend here?” I boop the dinosaur on the nose, trying to hide my discomfort.

“Doc said I could keep him,” he explains excitedly.

I glance at my brother in the rearview mirror. “Is that right?”

Doc shrugs and I’m wondering when the hell he thought to bring a stuffed animal with him. But I’m grateful he had Caleb in mind, because the toy is doing a damn good job of serving its purpose and calming the kid down.

“Glad you got a new friend. Now, let’s get the hell outta here and go see your mama.”

16

LILY

Ikeep staring at my son, afraid to take my eyes off him for one second.

If you’ve ever been separated from your child, even for five minutes, you understand that it’s the longest five minutes of your life and I have no doubt shaves time off the total expectancy. The anguish is unmatched, wondering where your baby is, if they’re hurt, who they’re with, if they’ll come home… I wouldn’t wish that kind of heartache on anyone and I hope to never experience it again.

The moment James and Caleb entered my hospital room, I almost jumped out of bed to gather him in my arms. It was well after midnight, but I was so grateful James brought my baby back to me just as he promised he would. When I tried to stand, he rushed to my side, demanding that I remain in bed. Then he picked Caleb up, and carefully nestled him beside me while I sobbed tears of relief and joy.

I knew they were coming because Emma and Sienna received calls from their men, explaining they were on their way. That had to mean James was on his way too, but I started to worry after the girls had gone and my boys still hadn’t arrived. I found out later that James had been shot, and Doc removed a bullet from his leg before he could get to the hospital. He really meant it when he said nothing would keep him from me.

My two men never left my side, even when I was discharged the following day. Emma and Sentinel offered to watch Caleb for me until I could get settled in at home. But I politely declined, needing to soak up every minute I could with James and my son.

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