Page 11 of Gunner
“Callahan,” he replied, and my eyes caught Skid’s. He swallowed deeply, clenching his hands.
“Did he hurt you?” she asked, and Jacob whispered, “No, he saved my life.”
A stomach grumbled and I looked at Sadie, who was resting her head against my shoulder. “Let me get you something to eat and then you two can get some rest.”
I didn’t know where the compassion and understanding were coming from, but I wouldn’t ever do or say anything to upset her or Jacob. Something about the selfless woman who worked her fingers to the bone to support her brothers called to me, and I made a silent vow to watch over them and protect them.
“I don’t want to be a bother,” her small voice replied, and I leaned over, kissing her on the uninjured side of her head.
“You’re no bother, sweet Sadie.”
Skid observed me, and when I stood from the bed, she said, “Thank you.”
“That’s what family is for,” Smokey responded, and Skid leaned over, hugging his siblings before we left my cabin.
We walked to the clubhouse and the gathered brothers followed us inside. Skid helped me make a plate of food for both of them, and one of the prospects was instructed to find Piper and deliver the food to Sadie. Smokey was pacing the floor, his anger barely contained, and we watched and waited for him to give us orders.
I was always kept away from the more illegal parts of the MC’s operations, but after witnessing Jacob and Sadie so vulnerable and broken, I pushed the last bit of my moral compass to the side, vowing to kill or maim whoever tried to hurt them. If there were people in this world who would point a gun at a kid, then I would do whatever it took to remove them from the planet.
Skid kept watching me and it was pissing me off, but now wasn’t the time to have it out with my brother. I wasn’t certain what I was feeling for Sadie, but something about her called to me, and I wouldn’t give up the peace and tranquility she brought, no matter if it pissed her brother off or not.
“Here’s what went down tonight, and I want the club officers to vote on how we proceed,” Smokey declared, all the brothers focused on what Jacob relayed.
Skid explained what Jacob said, and murmurs shot through the group.
“What about the girl?” one of the out-of-town chapter brothers asked, and I closed my fists, ready to knock him into next week for asking about her.
“She’s none of your concern,” Mick replied. “She’s Skid and Gunner’s responsibility.”
Well, I guess that was his acceptance of my obvious feelings for the small girl I just met. Skid nodded and held his fist out to me. I pounded mine against his and swallowed the worry that he wouldn’t agree with my immediate decision to claim his sister. Mick was still a Hound, only not as active as he once was. From the haunted look on his face that matched a few of the older brothers, there was more to Sadie’s story than he was telling us.
Whatever it was, I would help Sadie slay the demons that chased her, and try to heal her and give her peace. If she wanted nothing to do with me, I would have to accept that dagger to the heart, but for now, with the blessings of her uncle and brother, I was content.
“What do we do about Callahan?” Bullet asked, and I watched Smokey contemplate our next move.
There were enough Hounds in town for our patching in to run through the Flats and level that shithole to the ground. The question was, did we want to make an enemy of the man who saved one of our family, or was there something else that could come out of the tragic events that led to him killing a man.
After agreeing we needed more information on Devlin Callahan and his sudden rise to the top, Smokey advised we would gather in the morning to discuss possibilities. Skid and I left the clubhouse, and on the way to my cabin, he gripped my arm, stopping me.
“She’s a good woman who doesn’t deserve to be a pump and dump. If what I see from you is real, claim her and give her the peace of mind she deserves. Jacob needs a role model, and as much as I wish it was me, it’s not.”
I was stunned speechless as he knocked on the door and entered my cabin. Quickly, I joined him, and when I saw her blue eyes find me, relief filling them as she rocked a sleeping Jacob in her lap, I moved next to her and pulled her into my arms. Skid sat next to her, scratching Bear behind the ears as my loyal companion enjoyed the attention.
