This one just plopped into my lap and I had no idea what to do with him. All that studying for school wasn't going to help me in a real-life situation. Gunner was different than any other guy I'd met; something about the way he held himself. He was cocky and strong—he could get anything he wanted, including me.
Wyatt screamed from across the room. “Gunner, get your ass over here! Time for the club vote.”
“I'm sorry Veronica, we'll have to put that interview on hold. Got to go vote.”
“What's a club vote?” I asked, gazing at him from behind my lashes. The alcohol was still knocking at my front door.
Gunner leaned back in his seat. “The brothers vote on different issues impacting veterans in the community. Everyone gets an equal vote and majority wins.”
It was hard to focus with all the desire pooling between my thighs. I quickly jotted down as much as I could. This stuff was actually interesting!
“Can I come in and observe?” I muttered. I didn't know if I was overstepping my bounds or not.
Gunner smirked. “I wish you could, honey.”
Oh my! Honey? When did I become honey?
“Club votes are for members only. It's a very sacred tradition. Life and death happens in that room.”
I wrote down all the juicy details he was spilling. I didn't want him to stop talking.
Gunner stood up. “I'll be back later and we can talk.”
No! Don't go yet!
“I hope so,” I replied.
“Don't worry, I won't leave a beautiful girl like yourself alone for too long.” He winked.
My cheeks flushed with all the red in the world. Beautiful? What was this man doing to me?
Chapter Six
Gunner
After the vote, I came back to the main hall to find Veronica gone. I asked around and nobody saw her leave. She wasn't the first nice girl to escape when she had the chance. My muscles and inked body weren't for everybody.
Grunts like me were the bottom of the barrel. Prostitutes and sluts were in abundance—but a genuine woman. They were hard to find.
A week later I'd forgotten all about that pretty brunette and moved on. My brothers and I were moving on a major deal that could gain us some serious cash.
John found me in the basement one morning pumping iron on the bench press. “Isn't that too much weight?” he asked, rushing over to spot me.
I strained as I lifted the two hundred bar of weights above my chest. A few years ago in the army I was only able to do under one-fifty. After leaving the army, I had a lot of time on my hands and working out was the natural way to pass it. Add a prison sentence and weight training was all you knew.
John grabbed the bar and helped me lift it back into place. I sat up and grabbed a white towel to wipe the dripping sweat from my face. “Where are we with the Russians?”
John started lifting two free weights. “We have a meet set up with them for later this week,” he grunted.
“You think they're going to go through with the deal?”
John strained his bicep as he brought the weight to his shoulder. “Should go smoothly. The Russians are in dire need of cash.”
“Why are we buying guns? We have plenty.”
“We need a relationship with the Russians. They're flooding into this town and soon they'll be running it. We don't want to be left out.”
John's explanation made sense. But I still had a nagging feeling that this was a bad move. But I'd never question John.
John set down the free weights. “You seen that chick that was supposed to be interviewing us around here?”
He was talking about Veronica. I hadn't seen her but she had been on my mind since that first meeting. I shook my head. “Haven't seen her since that first day.”
“Do a favor for me then. Track her down and make sure she completes her assignment. Professor Capshaw is a good friend of mine and I don't want to disappointment.”
Finding Veronica wouldn't be too difficult. Just needed to get her address from the school. “You got it, brother.”
Chapter Seven
Veronica
I sat at a lunch table in the middle of school, daydreaming about Gunner. His tight shirt and shredded muscles were so damn hot. How could a man affect me so much? I could barely think straight. I needed to focus on my Anthro paper.
I couldn't stay at the Veterans Association. Something about the place scared me. I don't know what it was exactly. But after meeting with Gunner, my instincts were to run for the hills. That left me in a precarious situation. Do I go back and finish my paper with them or go to Mr. Capshaw and ask for another club?
“You going to stare at that wall all day?”
That voice snapped me out of my head and I looked up to find Gunner standing there, his arms crossed and a giant grin across his face. My heart fluttered. “What are you doing here?”
Gunner sat down at the table across from me. “You ran out on us last week. John wanted me to come find you and convince you to come back.”
I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eyes. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave like that. I don't even know why I did it.”
“We have a pretty tough exterior. Can't blame you for getting out of there.”
I looked up and into his eyes. My whole body warmed as I stared into his brown globes. “Can I still interview you guys?”
Gunner smiled. “Of course.”
I brought out a pad of paper. “Can I start with you?”
Gunner checked the watch on his wrist. “I have a meeting I need to get to.”
“Can I come with?” I don't know what came over me or where that burst of confidence came from.
Gunner narrowed his eyes at me.
“I promise I won't get in the way.”
“You can't write about what you see.”
I nodded. “You got a deal.” I shook his hand and felt that same spark from before shoot through me.
“Meet me at the VA and we'll leave from there.”
—
I came to a row of cars at the VA. John, Wyatt, Hudson, and Bryce were all there, checking their weapons. I instantly realized that this wasn't the type of meeting I thought it was going to be.
Bryce bent over and hugged his knees as he vomited all the whiskey he just consumed.
Hudson let out a hearty life and slapped Bryce on the back causing him to throw up even more.
“Which one is yours?” I asked Gunner.
Gunner pointed to the classic red Ford Mustang at the end of the line. I'd only seen one of those in old movies.
“Ever ridden in one before?”
I shook my head.
“You're going to like it.” Gunner shot me a devil-may-care smile that made me melt into a puddle of desire.
Wyatt came over and pulled Gunner to the side. “You're taking her along?” They spoke in hushed tones but it was still easy to overhear.
“Yeah, why not?” Gunner whispered.
“She's not one of us—this is no place for her kind.” Wyatt glanced over at me and snarled.
“I'm taking her with us. She can watch us in my car from a safe distance.”
John pointed at Gunner. “You make sure she's away from all the action.”
Fear bubbled in my chest, raging through my system. Where were they taking me? If it was so dangerous, maybe I shouldn't go. My anthro paper wasn't more important than my life.
Gunner escorted me to the Mustang and opened the door for me. “Don't worry, it'll be fine.”
I smiled. He instantly put me at ease. His strong presence and soft face made me feel safe. I could definitely fall for a guy like this.
Gunner climbed into the driver seat and started the engine. The car rumbled to life. The vibration beneath my thighs was exquisite. “Ready, Veronica?”
My heart pounded in my ears. I'd never felt this excited and scared before. I nodded. I looked for the shoulder seat-belt but couldn't find it. Only a lap belt. I snapped it around my waist.
I laughed. “Good to know.”
Gunner put on a pair of black Ray Bans that made him look so cool and sexy. “You might want to wear sunglasses.”
Gunner switched gears and we lurched forward. We followed the gang out of the abandoned business complex and onto the street. I'd never felt like this around a man before. Dirty thoughts invaded my mind of Gunner taking me the backseat.
Gunner gripped the steering wheel and we launched down the street. The wind blasted around my body and face. My hair whipped back and I inhaled the clean air. Gunner shifted gears and we picked up speed. My heart was beating faster and faster. The adrenaline rush was addicting.
We weaved in and out of cars, following the rest of the group. I recognized the road as Ortega Highway as we swerved around the corners and bends. We slowed down and turned off onto a dirt road. We stopped at a gate blocking our way and Hudson got off and unlocked it for us.
Gunner looked behind. “You're enjoying this aren't you.”
I smiled and nodded.
“Hold on tight because we're going off-road now.”
Yes sir!
The ride was so bumpy and rocky. I felt like I was on a bucking bronco. I gripped onto Gunner's arm harder to keep myself from being thrown out through the open roof.
So many emotions were rolling around in my stomach that I didn't know what to feel. I was falling hard for Gunner.
Chapter Eight
Gunner
What was I thinking—bringing a woman out here with us? My head needed to be examined. There's just something about her that I'd never experienced before. Out of all the women I'd been with, none were like Veronica.
She wiggled in her seat as we drove down Ortega Highway, taking every turn hard and fast. My heart skipped a beat as Veronica's hand crept over onto my lap. She was frightened but loving it. I was loving it too.
Hudson opened the gate leading to Jensen Ranch. It was the perfect place to conduct our business—private property and nobody could hear us for miles. We rode up the hill on the uneven dirt and came to the ranch.
A brown dilapidated barn with rotted wood sat in the middle of a valley surrounded by overgrown trees. Two black Escalades were parked in front of the barn and four men dressed in dark suits were holding assault rifles at their sides. Veronica hugged me tighter.
I parked my Mustang a good distance away and got out. “Stay here,” I told Veronica. She had the deer-in-the-headlights look. “Don't worry, everything will be fine.”
I turned my back towards the Russians and pulled out my nine millimeter. Veronica's eyes widened. She probably had never seen a gun before. I pulled out the clip to make sure it was loaded and jammed it back inside. I lifted my shirt up and placed it in my waistband.
“What do you need that for,” she asked.
“Insurance.”
“Be careful, Gunner,” she said.
“I always am,” I replied.
We approached the Russians and Wyatt took the lead.
“How's it going, Boris?” Wyatt shook the nicely-dressed Russian's hand.
“Could use a bottle of vodka,” he replied in a thick accent.
“Show us the goods,” Wyatt ordered.
“What, no small talk?”
“Let's just get this over with.”
Boris shrugged. “Money first.”
Wyatt turned towards Hudson who threw a huge black duffel bag at the feet of the Russians. One of the goons bent over and unzipped the bag, revealing stacks of cash.
“Looks good, boss,” he said to Boris.
“Let's get down to business then.” Wyatt followed Boris to the back of one of the Escalades. They popped the trunk and Wyatt examined the guns.
A reflection caught the corner of my eye. I looked to the right and saw light reflecting off a small circle off into the woods. That could only be one thing.
“Everyone down!” I yelled. My brothers dropped to the floor as I pulled out my gun. A sniper shot echoed through the air, the bullet burrowing into the dirt in front of me. I pointed my gun at one of the Russian goons and fired two shots off, hitting him square in the face and neck—blood sprayed in an arc, covering the Escalade behind him.
Another Russian started firing at John with his assault rifle. John rolled out of the way and fired back with his pistol, hitting the goon in the stomach.
I ran to a fallen tree for cover just as the second sniper shot went off, narrowly missing my leg.
Hudson pulled a sawed-off shotgun from behind his back and blew away the third Russian, sending him flying into the barn.
I aimed my gun at Boris but not before he took out a giant knife and sliced Wyatt's neck right in front of me. I walked out from behind the tree, screaming Wyatt's name. I unloaded my entire clip into Boris, tearing his body apart.
A rifle shot went off behind me and I swung around to see Bryce behind his car—two shots and the sniper was dead.
I walked over to Wyatt and fell to my knees. He was already dead. Tears filled my eyes.
“We need to get out of here,” Bryce howled. Hudson yanked my arm until I was back on my feet. I snapped back to reality and ran to my car. Veronica cowered behind my Mustang, shivering.
“Are you okay, baby?” I asked. I bent over and checked her for any wounds. There was no blood that I could see.
She nodded and stood up.
“We need to go. Everything is going to be all right.”
Chapter Nine
Veronica
I heard Gunner yell and then a loud crack rang through the air. I ducked behind the car, peeking out through the window. Gunner's brothers were on the ground, firing their weapons and killing the Russians. I'd never seen so much blood in my life.
I watched from afar as Wyatt's neck was opened up and blood stained his wife-beater. The alcohol and lunch from earlier almost came back up. Gunner fired countless rounds in a blind rage until the last Russian was killed.
I sat down in the dirt and hugged my knees. I couldn't believe what I just saw.
Gunner rushed over and bent down touching me all over. He seemed so far away.
“Everything is going to be all right.”
His words brought me back to life. I stood up and got into his car. We rode out of there and I placed my hand in Gunner's. I felt safe now.
We drove back to Ortega Highway and a black Escalade came out of nowhere, swerving and skidding to catch up with us.
Shots fired into the air, zipping right by me. I ducked down, burying my head between my legs. My chest pounded and the blood in my veins blazed. Gunner switched gears and sped up. But we could only go so fast around the corners.
Gunner pulled out his pistol and returned fire. His gun let out a bang close to my head.
I looked back to see Hudson in his Dodge Challenger. He pull out his shotgun and cocked it. Hudson nodded to us and slowed down, confronting the Escalade. We rounded a bend and lost sight of Hudson. Gunner, John, Bryce, and I were the only ones left now.
“What about, Hudson?” I screamed to Gunner.
“He can take care of himself,” Gunner replied.
We made it back to civilization and I finally eased my grip on Gunner. We came to an intersection and stopped. Without saying a word, John and Bryce went separate ways.
“Where are they going?” I asked.
“We need to split up. At least until things cool down.”
I nodded and we continued driving.
—
Gunner stopped the Mustang in front of a broken-down motel. It had the classic neon light sign that said: Vacancy.
“We can stay here for a little while,” he whispered.
I stayed in the car while Gunner went to the front desk to check in. How did I end up in this situation? Oh I know why, the most attractive and sexy man in the world came into my life. I never thought of myself as one of those girls. I was smarter than that—
or at least I thought I was.
Torn Apart: A Standalone Romance Page 19