by Maddie Wade
“Fine, send Eidolon the bill.”
“Excellent. I’ll call you back when I figure out who. Oh, when do you need them and for how long?”
“Day after tomorrow but tomorrow would be better, and not sure how long. It could be short or end up a few months.”
“Fine, give me a few.”
Roz hung up
“We’ll need Lopez to set up a fake history for her and background in case anyone goes checking.”
Blake stood. “How about I get him started on that now so that we can get ahead.”
Gunner moved to follow. “I’m going to get going.”
“Gunner?”
“Yep?” He turned, popping the p as he responded.
“Go see your sister.”
Gunner didn’t answer, but knew Jack wasn’t expecting one either. Maybe he’d see if Lacey would come with him. Somehow everything felt easier with her by his side.
Chapter 21
Lacey stretched and found the bed beside her cold. Rolling she wondered where Gunner had gone, then she saw the note by the bed and smiled.
Meeting with Jack.
Back soon.
Love you millions
Sitting up she saw it was already eight-thirty and threw her legs over the bed, testing her feet as she put them to the floor. She found the pain was still there but not as sharp as yesterday. Flexing her hands, she found the same, except for the cut between her thumb and palm, that still hurt like a bitch.
Moving slowly, she dressed in a pair of white jeans and a pink Bardot top with long floaty sleeves. It wasn’t ideal because she couldn’t easily do up the jeans with her hands like they were, but it looked cute, and she wanted to look nice for Gunner.
That may not be very forward-thinking, but she didn’t care; it was the truth. She’d spent her time with Carmine trying to be a confident woman and had ended up beaten and broken in both spirit and body. With Gunner, the reverse was true, she would happily do what she could to please him because she wanted to, and with every smile her offered her, she became more and more confident.
Finally making it down the stairs in this gorgeous barn conversion with old oak beams and large picture windows, she made her way to the kitchen and smiled when she saw her mug ready to go, just needing hot water.
Looking out of the window, she saw Bebe walking across the courtyard and smiled as she waved. Lacey went to let her in with a smile. “Tea or coffee?”
Bebe hugged her when she came through the door. “Whatever you’re making is fine.”
Bebe was beautiful, with long thick dark hair, that fell in perfect waves and sloped brown eyes that were flirty and mysterious.
“Looking stunning as always, Bebe.”
“I do try, darling, but you know how it is. Even the most gorgeous people have off days.”
When Lacey had first met Bebe, she’d found her a little unnerving with her confidence and glamour, and that was coming from a modelling background, but when she’d laughed, Lacey realised she was nothing like that.
Although with her curves, she could make yoga pants a deadly weapon. “How did you draw the short straw?”
Bebe carried the cups through to the living room and set them on the coffee table as Lacey hobbled after her less like a model and more like a ninety-year-old woman.
Bebe snorted. “Believe me this isn’t the short straw and I was coming to see Roz about a job anyway. I just diverted here until Gunner gets back.”
“I heard you were at the hospital. Thank you.”
“Yeah, well, I figured I should after I outed you at the bar that night and you went flying under the bus as you did.”
“Ha, I’d forgotten about that. You did kind of out me about me chucking my drinks away.”
“So, I guess you’re not pregnant then?” Bebe cupped her tea and sat back, looking contemplative.
“No. No baby this time. It’s probably for the best, the timing isn’t great, and we’ve only just got together.”
“But?”
Lacey looked over her mug at Bebe, surprised the woman was reading her so easily. “I don’t know, I guess in some ways I was disappointed. I did cry all over Gunner’s shirt, and we weren’t even together then.”
“You wanted to be pregnant?”
“Yes, in some ways I did. I’m not getting any younger, and I always saw myself as a mother.”
Bebe cocked her head. “When I was growing up in India, all my parents talked about was finding me a good husband and having children. I loathed the idea, but now I find myself thinking about having kids all the time. I’m thirty-six next month, and I can’t help feeling time is running out for me.”
“No man on the horizon?”
Bebe shook her head. “No, and honestly, I’m not sure I’d be a good wife. I’m too stuck in my ways and finicky. I like living on my own. I have Autumn and Mitch close and Waggs too, and that suits me.”
“You don’t fancy Waggs? He’s cute?”
“Waggs is swoon-worthy in every way, but when I look at him, I just see him as a brother and honestly, he’s more fucked up than I am.”
“Really? He seems, pretty together to me.”
“No, he lost his twin and it fucked him up bad.”
“Wow, I didn’t know that.”
“He doesn’t talk about it at all but goes home every year on the anniversary.”
“That’s so sad, and he’s such a nice guy.”
“Yeah, he is. I wish I did fancy him. Waggs would be an amazing father and husband if he ever let himself get involved.”
“So back to you, what will you do with no man?”
“Not sure, maybe go it alone. I’ve been thinking of using a donor and doing a DIY job.”
“That’s what I’d do if I found myself running out of time and without a man.”
Bebe sat forward. “You would?”
“Absolutely, I’m sure you’d be a great mum.”
“I thought there might be some weirdness from people about it.”
“Who cares what other people think, and let’s be honest, this bunch aren’t exactly playing by the rules on anything. My current next-door neighbour is an assassin for freak’s sake.”
Bebe laughed. “Yeah, news flash, all of Zenobi are. Not the best reference for a mother.”
“I disagree, it makes you perfect. Can you imagine any asshole messing with your kid?”
“Well, that’s true. I think I might look into it.”
“Do it and if you need anyone to hold your hand or the turkey baster, give me a call.”
Lacey stood and walked to the kitchen. “I might make some pancakes. Do you fancy some?”
“Sit down, let me make them. Gunner will kick my ass if you get a hangnail, let alone injure your hands any further.”
Lacey threw her head back and laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Bebe ignored her and began pulling out everything to make the pancakes, so Lacey sat at the island and watched.
“What will you do with your house?”
Lacey frowned and picked at a spot of lint on her jeans. “I’m not sure. That house was meant to be my fresh start, my sanctuary, and now it just reminds me of the place I nearly died.”
“So, fix it up and sell it. Cut your losses and find somewhere else with Gunner. I have to say I’d live in a barn with a hunk like that.”
“Hey, hands off.” Lacey laughed knowing Bebe wasn’t interested in Gunner that way in the slightest.
“I’m just saying a house isn’t a kid. If it doesn’t feel right get rid of it and find a new place. But let me know if you decide to sell it, I might be interested if this other thing works out.”
Lacey poured syrup over the pancakes that Bebe pushed toward her and dug in, chewing the delicious fluffy goodness and mulling it over. She loved that house, but Bebe was right—if it no longer felt like home then she should sell it. She knew the only way to know for sure was to go back and see how she felt when a cleaning crew had cleaned the place up
.
“I’ll give it some thought and let you know.”
Bebe waved her hand in the air. “Take your time, I won’t need it for a while and honestly, no pressure either way.”
The door opened as they finished eating and Gunner walked in, his eyes moving straight to her and moving all over her body to assure himself she was okay before landing on her lips.
“What’s all this? I missed out.”
He eyed the empty plates with a wink as he stood behind her and wrapping his fist around her ponytail, tugged her head back for a kiss. If she thought about it, she would’ve been self-conscious, but whenever she was with Gunner, all thoughts left her brain, especially when he kissed her.
“On that very nauseating note, I’ll get going and leave you love birds to it.”
Lacey blushed as she looked at Bebe who just laughed as she pointed. “I’m so glad my skin is darker and I don’t have to worry about shit like that.” Lacey placed her cool palms on her heated cheeks.
“Thanks for watching her, Bebe.”
“Hey, I’m not a baby.”
Gunner slid his arm around her belly. “Oh, I know that, Cosmo.”
“Yuck.” Bebe made a gagging noise as Gunner walked her out. Lacey started to put the plates in the dishwasher, thinking about how she’d like to take some self-defence lessons. She felt his arms come around her and tilted her head so he had better access to her neck as he rained kisses on her, heating her blood.
Turning in his arms, she clutched his biceps as he held her, with his hands on her ass. “When this is better, will you teach me self-defence?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Viking.”
“My pleasure, Cosmo.”
“So, what are our plans today?”
“Well, I had a thought…”
“Oh, yes?”
“Yeah, I thought we could go and visit my sister and my amma? If you don’t feel up to it, we can stay home.”
Lacey could feel his nerves in the way his arms flexed under her hands. Gunner wanted this almost as much as he didn’t. Lacey was touched that he was ready to share this with her already. “I’d love to meet your family, and today is perfect.”
Gunner blew out a breath. “Okay then. Let me call ahead and make sure today is a good day and we can go. It’s about an hour’s drive. Are you sure that’s not too much?”
He was nervous, and it made her want to soothe away all his doubts, but she knew these particular demons weren’t ones she could slay for him because they weren’t about her, they were about something that had happened a long time ago, and it was time he saw the truth.
“It’ll be okay, sweetheart.”
Gunner didn’t answer, but she saw him swallow and dip his head to acknowledge her comment then he made the call.
Chapter 22
Standing on the doorstep of the private, secure home where his grandmother and sister now lived, Gunner felt sick. This was only the second time he’d seen them since the kidnapping, and the first had been more about making sure they were safe and assuring them and himself that they’d stay that way.
This was entirely different. He had the woman he loved holding onto his hand, anchoring him and keeping him from running. He had to expose parts of himself that he hated, the weak, uncertain boy who’d ruined his sister’s life.
His feet felt rooted to the spot as if he were physically unable to move as he eyed the door like it was his biggest threat, and in some ways, it was. Once he walked through, he couldn’t undo anything Lacey saw or heard. His past would crash wildly with his future, and he prayed at that moment to a God he wasn’t sure he believed in that it didn’t end with her leaving him.
A tug on his hand made him look down into a stunning smile full of encouragement and love.
“Come on, stop stalling.”
Gunner tipped his lips into a smile and gave a small nod, and he walked purposefully to the door and knocked. Seconds later it opened and they were greeted by the guards who ensured the safety of the residence. After checking his identification and going through the protocols Zack and Fortis had put in place to make sure Milla was safe, the security guard admitted them.
He glanced around and noted how warm this building felt, not from the heat, but it felt like a real home, not a hospital. The building was an old estate home that had been refurbished to its former glory but with the added specification for people with special physical and mental needs.
A nurse met him and Lacey at the door with a smile, her clothing relaxed but smart, a pair of slacks giving her an air of professionalism but still keeping the homey feel that she was more of a friend visiting than a medical caregiver.
“Good afternoon, I’m Carol, and I’m Milla’s nurse. Would you like to follow me?”
“How is she?” His biggest fear was that she had in some way been hurt and he didn’t know it and now lived in her head with the horrors.
Carol looked back over her head with a smile. “Good, she loves the sunroom, and when I told her you were visiting, she got very excited. She sure loves her brother, and it certainly brought a smile to your gran.”
“She always loved the sun.” He let memories assail him of Milla saying one day she’d live where it was always hot and not in the ice-cold. He’d never cared, loving the cold brutality of the ice and snow. That had lost its appeal after the accident though, and he now preferred a milder climate too.
They rounded a corner and his heart began to kick-up, beating fast as the sickness in his belly made it cramp. He saw his amma first, and emotions flooded him, the tiny woman who now rushed up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist had given up so much, lost so much, and still, she never gave up on either of them. Loving them and guiding them every step of the way.
Gunner let go of Lacey’s hand and gently hugged his grandmother to him in a warm embrace. She barely came to his chest, but he could feel the strength in her even now that she was well into her eighties.
“Hey, amma.”
“My boy, how I have missed you.” She cupped his face and brought him close so she could look him in the eye. Her weathered skin wrinkled but soft against his cheeks and he felt so much love for this woman.
“I missed you too. I’m sorry I haven’t come before, I…”
His amma patted his hand. “It is all well, I know you struggle, my son, but you are here now, and you have brought someone for us to meet, I see.”
Her eyes turned to Lacey, and he followed her gaze, noting the tears in her eyes, which she didn’t bother to hide. He stepped beside Lacey and slid his arm around her, pulling her close. “Amma, this is Lacey, my girlfriend.”
“More than a girlfriend I think if I am meeting her.” His amma was astute and not one to curb her thoughts.
“Yes, she’s everything to me.”
Lacey leaned into him but put her hand out for his amma to shake. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Eivinsdóttir.”
His grandmother pulled Lacey in for a hug. “Enough with the formality, my grandson loves you then I am amma to you too.”
Lacey laughed and returned the hug, and it was beautiful for him to see two women who meant so much to him smiling at one another.
“Yes, amma is perfect and just a little secret, between us,” Lacey looked at him as she said it and then back to his amma who was still holding Lacey’s arm, “I love him too.”
Amma laughed a loud guffaw full of happiness. “How could you not? Look at him. We do not make ugly children in our family and Gunner is a handsome boy.”
“That he is.”
Gunner felt his cheeks heat and shook his head at the two smiling women. “Stop it, you’re embarrassing me.”
He looked behind his amma and saw his sister and his heart soured with love. Milla had been a beautiful girl, and as a woman, she was still beautiful. He saw the love in her eyes as he approached the motorised chair she sat in.
He felt his amma and Lacey behind him, but this was about Milla. He’d always
tried to treat her like the smart, intelligent woman he knew she was deep inside, locked in a body that no longer did what it was meant to.
“Hi, Milla.” He kept his voice soft as he reached her and took hold of her hand, bringing it to his face as he always had. Milla had severely impaired motor functions, and she struggled to do the most basic things like co-ordinating her hands. It had meant many a time he got hit in the face when she was trying to touch him and convey her greeting. Now he did it for her, and he knew she liked that.
“Guuunnner.” Her words were said with so much concentration, and tears filled his eyes every time she said his name. It was a lot of work for her, and that she did it showed her love for him.
“I missed you, sis. I’m sorry I haven’t been around much lately.”
“Thor.”
Gunner shook his head, not understanding as he dropped her hand but kept hold of it, wanting her to feel connected to him and him to her. Glancing at his amma, he noticed her and Lacey had linked arms and was watching them closely.
“She loves the superhero films and thinks you’re like Thor saving the world.” His amma’s voice was full of affection.
“Ah, I see.” He turned back to his sister and winked. “I’m no superhero, but would you like to meet a real-life supermodel?”
Milla rocked, and he could see the excitement on her face and chuckled. Turning, he held out his hand for Lacey who moved forward slowly and took it, letting him pull her close so he could place his other arm around her back.
“This is Lacey Cannon, and she was a model for Chanel and Dior but more important than that, she’s my girlfriend.”
Milla began to rock in her chair side to side, and he knew she was trying to communicate but her joy and excitement was hampering her, making it hard for her to control her actions. He was about to intervene when Lacey reached out and took Milla’s hand in her own the three of them forming a circle.
“I am so happy to meet you, Milla. Gunner talks about his wonderful big sister all the time.”
Gunner saw the happiness on his sister’s face and the smile Lacey gave him, and something shifted inside him. A chasm of despair being filled with the love of these incredible ladies who somehow despite his failings, loved him.
