Page 12 of Gunner
Chapter 7
He’d knownthe second he set foot in Hereford that he had eyes on him, and they weren’t Eidolon. That wasn’t unexpected, and the men watching him were low-level punks meant to, in Bás’ words, keep him on track. If they were trying to scare him, then Osbourne honestly had no idea who Gunner was or that he had fuck all left to lose.
Except he did now—maybe he did now, and that was how he found himself standing in the forest at the back of Lacey’s new home looking up at the dark house that overlooked the river. He’d been around this part of town before and liked it a lot, although it was way out of his budget with all the fees he paid for Milla, and honestly, a house was just a place to sleep for him, so he didn’t need fancy rooms or big gardens.
But none of that was on his mind right now. His main concern centred around the two men watching Lacey’s house. These weren’t like the thugs watching him; no, these two had training. Unlucky for them, he’d had more training and tactical awareness. That was another thing to come from Eidolon. It wasn’t enough to be the best sniper or an explosives expert; you had to be the best at all of it.
Jack made sure they could survive in a jungle, in the mountains in the dead of winter, and every other condition known to man, because they’d never known where their missions or work for the Royal Family would take them. They needed to be ready for the ugliest humanity had to offer.
Gunner had a choice to make, but before he got the chance to make it, he saw headlights pull into Lacey’s drive and the excitement at seeing her again made his body feel energised. Moving closer but keeping aware of the men watching her, he frowned when he saw Waggs get out of the car and walk Lacey to her door.
Jealousy slithered through him, and he had the sudden urge to punch his teammate in the face. He had no right. Lacey didn’t belong to him, most likely never would, but it didn’t stop his feet moving toward the front door when he saw Waggs follow her inside and close the door.
He watched from the shadows, doubt slithering through him as he waited to see if his former friend would leave quickly. But as the minutes ticked on and he didn’t, Gunner could feel the anger begin to course through his blood. Breaking cover, he walked up to the door and was surprised when it opened, and he saw Waggs standing there with his arms crossed baring his way.
Waggs had always been the quiet one, the calm one under pressure. He and Gunner had gotten on well, but as Waggs glared at him now, he knew the resentment at what he’d done still ran deep, and he didn’t blame him. But this wasn’t about that; this was about the woman who was standing behind Waggs looking nervous.
“Decided to stop hiding, Gunner?”
“Why are you here, Waggs?”
Waggs glanced back at Lacey with a grin and tipped his head. “What’s it to you?”
Gunner clenched his fists and then forced calm into his voice. “Can we do this inside?”
Once again Waggs glanced at Lacey who nodded, filling him with relief. He had no idea what they’d told her about him and in truth, he had no defence. Whatever they said he’d done was true, and if she wanted nothing to do with him, he wouldn’t blame her. But he wouldn’t abandon her or his child if there was one, no matter how much she hated him.
Waggs stepped back from the door and allowed him to walk past before he closed the door and followed both him and Lacey inside. The house was perfectly Lacey, open airy and yet warm and inviting. He knew she’d only just moved in and yet he could already see flashes of her personality here and there.
It was a home, not just a house, and he felt it was in no small part to the woman who was looking at him with wariness in her eyes. He drank in the short silver sequin skirt that hugged her creamy thighs and the black camisole top that showed just the hint of cleavage. She was stunning and classy and way too good for him, but he couldn’t remember wanting someone the way he wanted her.
Not just in a physical way, although God knew she brought him to his knees with wanting her but being close to her and hearing about her day. Eating dinner with her or even just watching tv together while she was in his arms.
“Can we talk, Cosmo?”
Lacey looked wary, and he could see the hurt on her face at the way he’d left in Germany. He never explained himself, but he felt the need deep inside him to right the wrong he’d done to her.
“I can stay if you need me to, Lacey?” Waggs crossed his arms as he moved closer to the woman who was fast coming to mean everything to Gunner.
“What the fuck is your problem, Waggs? I get that you hate my guts but don’t ever think for one second that Lacey is in any danger from me. I would rather rip out my own heart than hurt a hair on her head.”
He saw Lacey’s eyes widen in surprise at his outburst, but his concentration was firmly on Waggs.
“Is that what you think? That I hate you? I don’t hate you, Gunner. I just don’t trust you.”
Gunner took that blow even though it hurt like hell because he deserved it. “I get that, but I promise you on Milla’s life, I won’t hurt this woman.”
Waggs stared at him for a moment, not giving anything away before he looked at Lacey.
“It’s fine. Thanks for seeing me home and checking the house for me. I don’t know why it spooked me.”
“No problem, Lacey. A friend of Skye’s is a friend of mine. That woman can bake.”
Lacey sputtered out a laugh. “That she can.”
Gunner stayed put while Lacey walked Waggs to the door and let him out, locking up behind him. When she turned, she had her arms crossed over her midriff in a protective gesture which he hated. Everything in him wanted to go to her and pull her against him but did he even have the right after he’d left? More than that, should he pull her closer into his orbit when it would likely put her in more danger?
His mind went to the men outside in the woods, and he figured it was already too late. She was already in danger, certainly from the people he was forced to work with but maybe others too and he needed to find out who they were, but first he needed to wipe that look of despair off her face.
