Page 59 of Knight’s Absolution

That steady touch to the small of her back stayed there as they walked toward the balcony where the knights had gathered.

Gunner pulled off his shirt, tucking it in the back of his jeans, and without a word, he scooped her up in his arms and held her close to his chest.

“Arms around my neck,” he said near her ear, making her shiver.

She did as he asked, and the nerves in her stomach that had become unbearably strong at Gunner’s mention of Sir lessened. No, she hadn’t known this male long, but everything he’d done since he found her made it hard not to trust him—not to lean on him.

The knights flew from the balcony, one at a time, and she tightened her hold on Gunner. Leaning on this male was a terrible idea. Relying on anyone but herself was a path right back to pain and regret. But she couldn’t help it. Being with Gunner was intoxicating.

For so long she’d felt nothing, disconnected, empty, and every day she spent with Gunner she was learning more, experiencing more, feeling more.

“You okay?” he asked as they moved away from the safety of the compound.

She nodded against his chest, her throat too tight to speak. She was more than okay when she was with him. He held her tight, but he didn’t need to, she wasn’t sure she could let him go even if she wanted to.

Yes, she should keep him at arm’s length, or at least try to—not easy when she was relying on him for blood—but she wasn’t going to. From the moment she saw him, she was drawn to him.

Fighting it wasn’t an option right now, not while she was with him so much.

And when she left, when this was over, it would hurt like hell. She had no doubt about that. But then, she was used to pain. What was a little more?

They flew over the city, and Gunner gave her a small squeeze. “Lower your blocks, Luna.”

Fear ignited in her veins, right down to her bones. There was no mistaking this feeling for anything else. What if Sir was strong enough to take her from the knights? What if he took her from Gunner and back to the hell she’d been living before?

His mouth went to her ear. “I got you, Luna,” he rasped. “That fucker is not ever getting you back,” he said as if he could read her mind. “I won’t fucking let him.”

She believed him at that moment; the conviction in his voice made it hard not to. So tightening her arms around him and burying her face against the crook of his neck, she squeezed her eyes closed and let her guard drop.

Gunner’s arms flexed like the movement was involuntary, as if he felt it when she let her block drop. He cursed under his breath but didn’t say anything else as they began circling the city streets.

Luna had expected Sir’s presence to immediately flood her, and when it didn’t, she forced herself to reach out with her senses.

Nothing.

She continued to try, even when everything in her recoiled at the idea. But Gunner never once loosened his hold on her, making sure she felt safe and protected, like he’d promised, and checked on her in that low rumbly voice at regular intervals.

“We’ll do one more sweep,” he said after several hours of trying, and still no sign of Azel.

Gunner signaled to Chaos.

His brothers split up, heading in different directions, and Luna glanced over Gunner’s shoulder to the big male still flying behind them. He’d been there almost the entire time. “Rocco’s your brother as well, why doesn’t he live at the compound?”

“He hasn’t been okay since Kyler was taken from him.”

“I wish I knew how to bring her back.” The other male was suffering, and it was impossible to miss.

“He was there when I found you. He’s made it his mission to help keep you safe.”

She didn’t remember much of when Gunner found her, except wanting him, needing him.

They flew over the lot where she’d lived with Azel, where the house had been at least. There were only charred remains there now. Azel had always moved them around a lot, but they’d been in that house for over a year.

“Anything?” Gunner asked.

She closed her eyes again and tried to concentrate.

A vibration skated across her skin as they drew near.