Gunner: An Eidolon Black Ops Novel

by Maddie Wade

  His amma had her hands clasped together, and he knew she was treasuring this time, and he should too. “Will you stay for dinner with us, Gunner?”

  “Lacey?”

  “Goodness, yes, we’d love that. Thank you.”

  Dinner was a lively affair full of conversation and laughter which he couldn’t remember having in a very long time with his family. He’d learned that Waggs often visited to check on the care Milla was getting and on his grandmother and knew he owed his friend more than he’d realised. His guilt and sense of duty toward them had hindered his ability to enjoy his time with them. With Lacey beside him and her zest for life and her love for him filling the gaps, they became a family again.

  As he kissed his sister and said goodbye with the promise to come again in a few weeks and genuinely meaning it this time instead of the empty promise it had been before to fulfil a duty, he saw his amma and Lacey talking, their heads close together before they hugged as if they’d known each other for years.

  Once in the car he waved to his amma and turned to Lacey.

  “Well?”

  “Oh, Gunner, they’re wonderful, and they love you so much, especially Milla. I can’t believe how well she gets across what she wants to convey. She is truly amazing and watching you two together is the most profound thing. You have such a beautiful connection.”

  He kissed her softly, knowing his family watched and didn’t care. He was happy, and he wanted the world to know it.

  The drive back was filled with hope for the future that he hadn’t felt since he was six years old.

  Chapter 23

  The journey from Hereford to Sandringham had been uneventful. Gunner had managed to catch a few hours’ sleep in the car between Jack ranting because he didn’t feel Astrid was the right choice for the Queen’s lady in waiting and Blake’s humming.

  He felt lighter since his visit with Milla and his amma, the experience was so positive for him and Lacey. He’d asked what she and his grandmother had talked about, but she wouldn’t say, and he didn’t want to push it.

  Coming up on the Palace he knew that the Queen was already in residence and Astrid was in place. His adrenalin spiked as the car, a bulletproof Land Rover driven by Jack, pulled up around the back of the Palace as if they wanted this visit kept quiet. All three were armed and had special privileges to carry concealed given to them by the Crown.

  “Stay alert.”

  Gunner didn’t respond to Jack, but nevertheless, he was on guard as they were met by James Fitzgerald at the service door and led inside. He’d been to Sandringham before and was always surprised by the fact the rooms not used by the Royal Family, but had been converted to offices and quarters, were pretty shabby looking and in need of a coat of paint at the least.

  Upstairs was a different matter, opulent and grand; it boasted old wealth and money. Paintings on the walls that were hundreds of years old, vases, silver-gilt gifted by Russian Royalty, furniture, some of it gifts from heads of state or the Commonwealth leaders, and some passed down from monarch to monarch, much like the throne itself.

  James walked quickly, like a man who had a thousand things to do, and Gunner suspected he probably did.

  “Her Majesty is waiting for you in the drawing-room.”

  The four men stopped outside the drawing-room doors, and they waited while James knocked and entered, announcing them. When the monarch said for James to send them in, James nodded, and Gunner waited for Blake and Jack to go ahead of him.

  The room was stunning with a trompe l’oeil ceiling panel with a golden pheasant painting overlooking the room below. It had cream walls decorated with ornately carved panels and four floor-to-ceiling mirrored doors at the far end. A large log fire burned in the corner where someone had positioned four armchairs around the fire. It was a stunning room, and he could see why Sandringham was a favourite of the Queen.

  “Your Majesty.” Blake stepped forward and dropped into a bow before he moved forward as she raised her gloved hands, which he took kissed.

  “Oh, Blake, how wonderful to see you.”

  “Ma’am.” Jack bowed but did not kiss her hand and nor did she offer. Her relationship with Blake was different, built on a mutual affection from his years as her family’s protector. Jack was one of professional respect and affection, which was something entirely different.

  “Jack, I do hope we can sort this horrible business.”

  Her eyes turned to him, and he saw the shrewd head of state assess him as he dropped into a bow.

  “Your Majesty.”

  “Gunner, it is good to see you back in the fold, so to speak.”

  “It is good to be back.”

  She crossed her hands and sat, her back straight as a rod and indicated they should too.

  “Shall we begin? I have an evening soiree with the Prime Minister, and he is such a terrible bore, but I do like the new lady in waiting you arranged for me, Jack. She is such a hoot, and I must say, very proficient. I should like to keep her when this is done, but I fear that will not happen.”

  “I’m glad you approve, Ma’am.”

  “James has explained the issues we are facing, and I have to say I am quite saddened and disgusted that such a man can get into a position of power in this country.”

  “It is very upsetting, Ma’am.”

  “What is your suggestion, Jack? You never come to me with problems, only solutions. It is one of the reasons I feel safe with Eidolon.”

  “Thank you, Ma’am. My suggestion is that Osbourne is taken out of the equation for good and someone else is put in place. We will also eliminate Osbourne’s team as a threat and will temporarily put a new team in place until we are sure the monarchy is secure.”

  “Who would you put in place? Yourselves?”

  “No, we thought perhaps Fortis Security could handle it until all the new personal protection officers and the new Deputy Director were vetted and cleared by us.”

  “Well, that sounds splendid. Are they on board with this?”

  “Yes, Ma’am. I spoke with Zack Cunningham last night, and his team is ready to step in whenever we are ready to proceed.”

  “What of your father, Jack?”

  Gunner saw Jack clench his jaw and hated that his friend was being pushed into this position.

  “Well, as James knows, my father was behind the blackmail with Gunner, and he will need to be dealt with, but until I have proof, my hands are tied. If you would prefer someone else to take over your protection and security, I would fully understand.”

  “Good lord no, the sins of the father should not taint the sons. Gosh, if my ancestors judged me, I would be doomed to failure.”

  Her Majesty cocked her head as she looked at Blake and then back to Jack. “I trust your team, Jack, and you. If I didn’t, you would not be here now. It takes courage and backbone to do what you do, and you have saved my life and that of my family more times than I can count in the last five years, ensuring the safety and security of the monarchy in multiple ways. No, you have proved yourself to me, Jack. There is no need to lambast yourself for your father’s ill deeds.”

  The Queen stood, and they followed, as she crossed her hands in front of her in a familiar gesture. “I concur with your plan. See that it is carried out immediately and please keep James abreast of the situation.”

  Jack dipped his head. “Yes, Ma’am, of course.”

  Her head turned to Blake. “Do bring Grace next time you visit. I would love to meet her.”

  “Of course, Ma’am.”

  Her eyes focused on him and Gunner felt like she could see through to his soul. “Having a family member threatened is a harrowing thing. I am so glad your sister is well, and I understand she is doing well now?”

  “Yes, Ma’am, she is doing very well indeed.”

  “Good. Now you must excuse me, my new lady in waiting is going to show me a few self-defence moves. Isn’t that exciting.”

  Jack went a little pale but inclined his head. “Very.�
�

  The Queen motioned for James to escort them out and after bowing one more time, they made their way back toward the car.

  “James, keep her here and have Astrid stay close. How many of Osbourne’s men are at Sandringham?”

  “Two.”

  “I’ll be in touch later but if anything changes at all or if you get a feeling, let me know.”

  “I will, Jack.”

  “I should stay.” Gunner looked at Blake, who had made the offer.

  “I think that’s a good idea. You know this place better than we do and can stay close and hidden. I don’t like leaving two of the highest-ranking Royals with just Astrid no matter how good she is. If Osbourne gets suspicious, he could strike before we have a chance to end this.”

  “Agreed.” Blake turned to James. “Do you have a secure office I can use to talk with the team?”

  “Yes, use mine.”

  With that settled, the four men went their separate ways. Gunner didn’t like the idea of Blake without the team, but he knew Astrid would have his back and all the more because of Pax.

  They were in the car on their way back to Hereford and Jack had the entire team patch in on a call while he drove so he could co-ordinate the next part of this very delicate operation. Gunner knew the slightest slip and it would be an international disaster. The fate of the Crown was literally in their hands. His part in this would be crucial, and yet he didn’t feel the normal doubt in his ability to do the job well. He just wanted to get it done so he could rid Lacey of the threat Carmine was to her and begin the next chapter of what he hoped would be a beautiful life with the woman he loved.

  Thinking of her, he saw a text come through.

  Lacey: Going to the house with Bebe to check over the damage. Talk later. Love you.

  There was nothing wrong with the text, in fact, it was pretty innocuous, yet he had a bad feeling in his gut even though they’d already discussed her going there. He still hadn’t found Carmine Russo and had a feeling Osbourne was helping him. He didn’t want Lacey out of the house without him, but he couldn’t keep her locked up like a criminal when the real criminal walked free. The best he could do was make sure she had people with her who were experienced with threats and Bebe was one of the best, and he had asked Liam to keep an eye out too.

  Questioning of the men they’d caught after the fire had yielded little help, and they’d been passed on to the local authorities through Aubrey. Lacey was as safe as he could make her, and the tracker he’d slipped in her boots ensured he could always find her if the worst were ever to happen. Not that he allowed himself to go there.

  As they made it back to Hereford, he shot off another text to her and was relieved to hear she was back home and having a girl’s night with the other Eidolon wags as they called themselves. He sent a final text to say it would be a late one and he’d see her later, and then he concentrated all his attention on the job.

  Chapter 24

  Lacey was feeling a little bit nervous as she put the last tray of almond cookies in the oven. She’d been out with these women on multiple occasions but tonight was different. Now she was dating one of the men, and she felt like she wanted to pass some strange unknown test.

  At least Skye was coming too, and even Roz was popping in for an hour which would be fun. Roz was the scariest in some ways, but in other ways, she was the person who broke the ice.

  Taamira had called and said given the situation would she be okay with them hosting girl’s night at her place and she’d been relieved to say yes. She was still unsure about her house and what she’d do with it but going with Bebe today had been a little heart breaking. Liam being there with Waggs she knew was Gunner’s doing, but she’d been glad to have people around her so she didn’t fall apart.

  Gunner had wanted her to cancel when he found out the loss adjustors visit coincided with his trip to London, but she’d insisted she’d be fine. Lacey had wanted him there, but she would not be a clingy vine of a woman who couldn’t function without her man or at least she wouldn’t admit it.

  The doorbell rang, and Bebe popped her head in the door. “It’s only us.”

  Lacey waved them inside. “Come in, come in.”

  Skye had Nate drop her off earlier and was just piping gin flavoured cream filling in some raspberry macaroons she’d made.

  Evelyn, Pax, Callie, Taamira, and Autumn trooped in with dishes and bottles in their hands. Bebe had Mercy, one of the other Zenobi girls with her, but Lacey didn’t know her well.

  “Put everything on the island and let’s start with a drink shall we.” Pax clapped her hand and moved toward the bottles of alcohol, where she proceeded to take drinks orders from everyone. Lacey took the cookies out of the oven and popped them onto a tray to cool. Roz grabbed one, and she slapped her hand.

  “Oi.”

  “What? I’m breastfeeding, I need my energy.”

  Lacey rolled her eyes. “Fine, but only one.”

  Roz poked her tongue out at Pax who moaned that was unfair.

  They took their drinks and some crisps and dips into the other room and sat in the large living space that overlooked the countryside with fields as far as the eye could see.

  “You roll your eyes, Pax, but I kid you not, this kid is sucking the life out of me, and I mean literally.”

  “Roz, we’ve all heard your birth story, or should I say horror story, and there are some of us who haven’t had that experience yet, and you’re scaring the crap out of us.” Evelyn glared at her boss who just shrugged and popped the cookie in her mouth.

  “Now what I want to know is how it’s going with you and Gunner.” Evelyn wiggled her eyebrows at Lacey who blushed as all eyes landed on her.

  “Seriously Ev, you’re not going even to try and be subtle about this?” Callie shook her head and looked heavenward.

  “Hush, Callie, we all want to know, so why beat around the bush.”

  Callie looked at her. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

  Pax laughed and took a breadstick and dipped it in the homemade bacon and onion dip. “No, of course she doesn’t but it will be easier and quicker than Evelyn wheedling it out of her all night.”

  Lacey laughed and took a swig of her Cosmo to calm her nerves.

  “It’s going well. I met his sister and grandmother, who are amazing and wonderful.”

  “You met his family already?” Taamira asked her head snapping straight.

  Lacey nodded. “Yep, the day before yesterday actually and they’re so nice. We had dinner and talked, and he was so good with his sister. You can tell how much he loves her.”

  “Yeah, he ain’t the only one.” Roz grimaced as she took a sip of her alcohol-free cocktail.

  “What does that mean?” Lacey crossed her arms.

  “Just that we can see how into him you are.”

  “And is that a problem? Because I’m telling you if it is or it offends you in any way, then you can leave right now. Gunner is a good man dealt a horrible hand in life, and he blamed himself for a long time, and I won’t have anyone who isn’t fully on his side bad-mouthing him.”

  The room was silent for a beat, and then Pax took her hand, forcing Lacey to look up. “Lacey nobody in this room is against you, and even those who are wary were only that way because they doubted Gunner could find it in him to care if he lived or died. I don’t need to tell you the toll this entire situation has taken on him both physically and mentally. Decker admitted to Blake that he wasn’t sure if Gunner would survive it because he’d given up wanting to live. But since he met you all that changed. Gunner is different, he has a purpose and a different outlook. Deck says he’s never seen anything like it in all his years of profiling.”

  “So, you all don’t harbour ill-feelings towards him?”

  Pax patted her hand. “Of course not, he’s a good man, and finally he’s beginning to see it for himself.”

  “Oh, in that case, I’m sorry I overacted.”

  The rest o
f the evening was relaxed as everyone ate the delicious calorie-laden food and drank the sugary drinks until Evelyn, Pax, Callie, and Taamira got a text at the same time she did.

  Roz and Bebe looked at each other as if by some telepathic link they knew what was happening and she looked down in dread at the text from Gunner.

  Gunner: Takedown will be tonight. Will be going radio silent in two hours and back online as soon as I can. Stay with Roz or Bebe until this is done and I know you are safe.

  Lacey: Stay safe and don’t worry about me. Love you x

  Gunner: Love you more. X

  “Well, that put a downer on the night,” Pax said with a frown.

  “Yes, I hate the thought of Liam in danger.”

  “This is a big takedown, it’s been years in the making and has so many moving parts. A lot could go wrong,” Evelyn admitted.

  “Nate left for London earlier this evening with the rest of the Fortis Team. They’re going to provide security for the Royal Family until they can get something else in place.” Lacey grabbed Skye’s hand and squeezed. Nobody liked the idea of the men they loved in danger, but the truth was they wouldn’t be the men they were without the risk that surrounded them, and those were the men they loved.

  “I should get home. K is manning the fort, but I know he’ll want to be at Fortis to provide support if they should need it.”

  Roz stood, and that seemed to be everyone’s cue to leave. Lacey kissed and hugged her friends, feeling the tighter bond had been forged tonight and especially in the last few minutes. She didn’t know the details only what Gunner had told her might happen, but she knew it was a big job.

  “You should come to stay with me tonight. Gunner won’t want you alone with that asshole ex of yours on the lose.” Roz stood on her doorstep looking every inch the badass she was, her body already losing the soft look of post-pregnancy.

  “I will. Let me clean up, and I’ll be over in an hour or so. Is that okay?”