Page 16 of Gunner
“I don’t have to worry about Sadie or Jacob as long as you’re around. You’re not planning on leaving, are you?” he asked, his gaze cutting through me like a knife. “You seemed to lay claim to my sister, and I trust you to take care of her. Was I wrong to think that?”
“I meant what I said. I see her as my old lady one day. If you need to do this, whatever this is, I’ll protect them with my life. You have my word.”
“It’s not like I’m leaving town,” he reasoned, and we walked toward the clubhouse.
He slapped my back before walking up to his sister and hugging her. I saw him whisper into her ear, and she nodded, wiping the tears from her cheeks as her eyes locked with mine. Skid scooped Jacob into his arms and walked toward his cabin. Sadie turned to me, pulling me into a hug.
“Is it true? He’s going to work with Callahan?” she asked with her face pressed against my chest, and I could feel her tears seeping through my shirt.
“Callahan isn’t the bad guy everyone thinks he is. Dalton’s going to help him, and in turn, it will help the MC. He’ll still be around, just busy doing other things,” I replied, using her brother’s real name, hoping to ease some of her pain.
“What about us?” she asked, her gaze moving to the ground.
I lifted her chin and kissed her softly. “I’m not going anywhere, sweet Sadie. You and Jacob are mine to protect and to watch over.”
“So, what happens now?”
“Now, we start our life, and when Dalton needs us, we’re there for him. Because we’re family.”
She smiled, and Bear bumped into my leg. I scratched behind his ear as Jacob tossed the ball, and he took off to chase it. I couldn’t wait to finally have Sadie in my bed, under me, allowing me to give her pleasure, knowing it would take time. She has demons that chase her, and from the scars I felt under her shirt this morning, my girl was hurt and required a delicate touch.
Dalton agreed to keep Jacob at the clubhouse while I drove Sadie in her old car back to her house. Taking in the outside of the modest two-bedroom house, I hoped we would need a bigger place soon. I wasn’t going to push myself into their lives, but I couldn’t imagine sleeping without her in my arms.
Bear was a big dog and Jacob was a growing boy, and with any luck, Sadie and I would add to our family in the future, and I wanted to give her the best I could. She deserved it after her lifetime of sacrifice.
She unlocked the two locks, and I followed her into the house. She relocked the door behind us and tossed her keys onto the table near the door. Jacob’s backpack hung on a hook near the door, and as we walked into the living room, I saw pictures of the siblings on every surface. Sadie made a good home for the boys, from what Skid told me and from what I see, and my respect for her grew even more.
I sat on the couch and pulled her onto my lap as she walked past. She giggled, and I needed to kiss her, to know she was real. To knowwewere real. She slid her arms over my chest, linking her hands behind my neck as she shifted to straddle my thighs. My cock was thick and begging to be set free, to find its home within her, but I settled for a deep kiss, her tongue caressing mine as she showed me her affection.
My hands wandered under her shirt slowly and I stroked her back, feeling the raised scars on her skin. I wanted to ask her about them, but then the fear I saw in her eyes last night told me that was a conversation best left for later.
She broke the kiss and smiled with her hand over her swollen lips as she stared into my eyes. Knowing this couldn’t go any farther today, I stood from the couch and placed her on her feet in front of me. She bit her lip, and I winked before we went into each of the bedrooms as I helped her pack a small bag for both. The ride back to the clubhouse, her hand was linked with mine and thoughts of our future swam through my head.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop imagining what caused her pain and fear. I needed to find out what happened to her, but I was afraid she wouldn’t tell me, either out of fear or misplaced guilt or shame. Returning to the clubhouse, I cornered Smokey after getting Sadie settled into my room, hoping he would tell me what or whom I needed to kill.
“You need to ask her. I don’t know all the details, but I can tell you, about eight or so years ago, something dimmed the light in her eyes. She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her.” He stepped closer to me and his voice took on a menacing tone. “That girl gave up her life to take care of those boys, and if you do anything to hurt her, I’ll cut you into pieces and no one will ever know. Do I make myself clear?”
“You told me once that when you met Piper, you instantly knew she was the one.” He nodded, so I continued. “I felt that last night and I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know I’d rather hurt myself than to hurt her or that little boy.”
He looked at me, his wrinkled eyes looking deep into mine before he replied, “Just be patient with her,” he replied cryptically, and I watched him walk away.
What did she experience that caused such a sudden change in her?
Deciding to give her time to tell me, I walked to our cabin to find her stretched out on the bed. Bear was wrapped around her leg, and Jacob was doing his homework on the kitchen table. Vowing then and there to slay her demons and give her peace, I picked up a book and joined her on the bed.
My eyes glanced at her as she read, a genuine smile on her face.
Whoever hurt her would pay.
Whoever damaged her would die.
Whoever stood in my way would be destroyed.
For Sadie, it was worth it.
