Page 2 of Johnny Gun

The woman, no, an earthly angel, trained sparkling emerald eyes on him, and Johnny Gun’s mind went blank. Not a thought or a word popped into the old gray matter. His chest hurt as if a huge hand squeezed his heart without mercy. Pain and elation combined into the craziest rush he’d ever experienced, and it spread all over him at once.

Caught in a fast-spinning whirl of emotions, he forgot where he was and why. The document bag fell from his fingers. Papers spilled in all directions.

Quickly, he dropped to his knee to pick up the mess he’d made. The heat of embarrassment, no point in denying what it was, burned his face. His distress was compounded when the glorious creature also bent to help him gather the documents. As she moved, he was caught off-guard. Her soft fragrance struck his senses with the force of a runaway eighteen-wheeler.

“Gosh, let me help you.”

Oh, hell.That couldn’t be her real voice. It was so light and musical, he was reminded of Christmas bells…

“Please, don’t bother,” he said, shoving the documents into the bag any way he could. “It’s really my fault. I wasn’t payingattention. I’m so sorry I ran into you. It was dark, and I didn’t see a thing. Did I hurt you?”

“Not at all.” She handed him several papers. “I’ve told Dad to put another light in this hallway. You’re not the first person who’s stumbled in the dark.”

“Are you sure you’re all right?” He finished stuffing the documents in the bag.

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“What the fuck is going on with you two?”

Startled at the angry voice, Johnny Gun gawked at the newcomer.

This guy, standing with legs apart and fists leaning on his hips, took up almost the entire width of the hallway. Something about the salt-and-pepper hair and fierce attitude informed him this was the famous Deacon he’d rode up five hours to see, and the father that the angel smiling at him had mentioned moments ago.

“Get up, Isolde,” the man growled

Isolde? Unusual name…

“Hi, Dad.” She stretched her hand up to her father. For a nanosecond, Johnny G considered helping her stand, but the older man’s forbidding expression stopped him in his tracks.

“We crashed into each other,” she explained, rising to her feet. “I told you the hallway needs another light. He dropped his documents, and I was helping him.”

Now the guy glared at him. “Who are you, and why are you here?”

As he finished sliding the last sheet of paper into the bag, Johnny used this short pause to put his thoughts together. “I’m Johnny Gun,” he replied. “I’m a member of the Garden City Devils’ Spawn. I brought documents Blade wants you to read and sign. I’m assuming you’re Deacon.”

“Yeah, that’s me.” The guy narrowed his eyes. “Documents? What sort of documents?”

Johnny G had the strangest urge to stand at attention and salute. This dude must have been a drill instructor in the service. A powerful military vibe still clung to him.

“I’m not privy to the contents,” Johnny said. “I only know it’s MC business. Blade sent me because he trusts my discretion.”

“Follow me.” Deacon moved toward the door Johnny G had passed earlier. He unlocked it with a key from a heavily loaded keychain and pushed it in. “Go inside and wait. I’ll join you in a moment.”

Everything in Johnny G’s soul rebelled at the idea of leaving Isolde behind with such an irascible man. He sent a quick glance at the angel in the hallway. As if she’d heard his thoughts, Isolde gave him a reassuring smile, and he relaxed. She’d lived with the man for years and clearly knew how to pacify the beast. Accepting the situation as it was, he entered Deacon’s office, put the bag on the desk, and sat.

Several minutes went by. He could hear Isolde and her father talking outside. The conversation moved quickly, but he couldn’t make out the words. On the upside, their tone sounded normal, which encouraged him to stay put in his chair instead of tiptoeing to the door to listen in and maybe intervene should things get heated. If he had, he would’ve been caught in the act. The door opened abruptly.

“What’s the deal with these documents?” Deacon went directly to his chair and sat. “They must be important if Blade sent you.”

Johnny Gun had nothing to say. He pushed the bag forward. “It’s all in there. Check it yourself.”

After pulling out the papers, Deacon perused them one by one. He didn’t speak and neither did Johnny. Deacon started signing, and Johnny G glanced at his watch. Thus far, meeting theDalton president and running into his beautiful daughter had used up thirty minutes. His departure window was still open.

What about Isolde?

“You had a long ride. Would you like to take a break and spend the night?”

Man, the timing of Deacon’s question was really freaky. He swallowed without answering.

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