“They should be back by now, right?” Grace asked, voicing my fears aloud.
I looked over at her, noting the apprehension in her green eyes. “I’m sure it’ll be any minute,” I replied, trying to assure her as much as myself.
Almost as soon as I’d said it, my phone began to vibrate on the table with an incoming call from Gunner. I nearly dropped it in my haste to answer it.
“Gun,” I answered shakily.
“I’m okay, but Ruston’s been shot,” he replied by way of answer. Relief that he was okay and immediate panic for Ruston coursed through my veins.
“How bad?” I demanded.
“Bad,” he replied, sending my heart sinking as I looked over at Ava, her eyes already bright with fear. “We’re at Hawthorne General. They already took him back for emergency surgery.”
“We’re on our way,” I confirmed, already standing up as my friends did the same.
“Drive safely,” he ordered. “Love you, Emmie.”
“Love you too,” I murmured, hanging up the phone and turning to my friends, dreading the news I had to share. “Ruston’s been shot,” I murmured, my eyes on Ava.
She gasped, reaching out blindly as though she might fall. Dallas and Wren grasped her from either side, steadying her with their embrace.
“They took him back for surgery. We should get over there,” I continued.
She bit her lip and nodded through tears. “He’s gonna be okay. He has to be,” she chanted.
“He will be,” Dallas said firmly. “Ruston is one of the strongest people on the planet. He’ll push through this.”
“Is it…” Grace began, and for the first time I noticed how pale she was. “Is it okay if I come?” she asked. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“Ruston would want you there,” Ava replied firmly.
All of us had seen the clear and immediate connection between the two of them.
“Let’s go,” I directed, already heading inside.
“I’ll drive,” Cole said when we walked inside, his phone in hand. Clearly Gunner had briefed him. “I’ve got my truck today.”
“Me too. We’ll need two cars,” Cash added.
I readily accept their offers, knowing my nerves were shot. We didn’t delay in heading out to their trucks and piling in.
The drive to the hospital was tense as the weight of uncertainty hovered. The prospect that Ruston could die was too difficult to even consider, and I’d only met him a handful of times. I couldn’t imagine what Ava was going through.
Grace sat in front next to her dad as Dallas, Wren, and I sat in the back. Lanie and Ava were riding with Cash directly behind us.
Cole hadn’t asked why his daughter had insisted on coming, but I could see the question in his gaze.
When we arrived at the hospital, I was out of the truck like a shot, the girls right behind me. I ran through the emergency room doors, finding Gunner, his tee soaked with blood, Max, Tank, and Cason all standing from the waiting room chairs to greet us.
Gunner opened his arms for me, and I hit him with such force, he had to take a step back. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my face pressed to his neck, soaking in the warmth of his skin and the pulse that beat reassuringly against my cheek.
I distantly recognized Dallas and Tank, and Wren and Max in similar embraces.
After the couples had reunited, I went to hug my brother, relieved he was safe, before returning to Gunner’s side, snuggling close.
After a moment of holding me close, he pulled back slightly, his arm still around my shoulders as he turned his attention to Ava. “Ruston was shot in the rib cage, the goddamn vest malfunctioned. We were able to get the bleeding under control on the way here, but he’d lost a lot of blood. They took him back for surgery, and the operating doctor will give us an update as soon as they have more information,” he shared.
“Which doctor is it?” I asked.
“Greenstein,” he replied.
“Good. Ava, he’s the best.” I tried to assure her, familiar as I was with the doctors on staff from my nursing program.
She bit her lip and nodded, though I knew my words did little to dispel her anxiety.
“Shouldn’t have fucking happened,” Gunner growled, his tone awash with regret. “There were two men left once we emptied the building with the bomb. Castillo and another. Castillo shot his own man—but he wasn’t dead. He managed to get a shot off and hit Ruston,” he shared. “I’m so fucking sorry, Ava.”
She met his anguish not with anger, but with conviction. “Ruston wanted to be there. He needed to be part of ending this. And he’ll make it through this; I know he will.”
We all nodded our agreement as more Knight members began to trickle in. I knew before long the waiting room would be filled to the brim.
After several moments, Gunner pulled me into a chair next to him. “Do you want me to go get you some clean clothes?” I offered.
He squeezed my hand briefly, shaking his head. “I want you right here.”
I nodded, accepting that, beyond relieved he was here and whole.
At some point, Layla brought everyone coffee and food, though the latter was barely touched.
The hours began to blur as the night wore on. I drifted in and out of sleep, resting on Gunner’s shoulder.
When the doctor stepped into the room hours later, I was instantly alert and on my feet, along with the rest of the club.
“Ava King?” he asked the room at large.
“I’m Ava, Ruston’s sister.” Ava spoke up, and the doctor gave her his attention.
“Your brother is stable.” His statement had the entire room visibly deflating with relief. “We had to open him up to remove the bullet, which was just centimeters from his heart. He’s very lucky,” he shared. “He lost a lot of blood. Over the next few days, it will be critical that we monitor him for infection and to ensure his vitals continue to improve.”
“Thank you,” Ava whispered, clearly fighting for composure. I moved to her side to wrap an arm around her shoulders in support.
“He’d like to see you. And then he’s asking for a Grace Jackson,” the doctor shared.
I turned in time to observe Grace’s eyes pop wide in surprise.
Ava nodded, taking the request in stride. “I’ll make it quick.” She winked at Grace, who promptly turned a bright shade of red.
“As for other visitors, I’d like to limit them for now,” the doctor added. “We can reassess in the coming days, but for now the most important thing he needs is rest.”
“I’ll make sure he knows you were all here,” Ava assured us gratefully.
I gave her a final squeeze before returning to Gunner’s side. Now that we knew Ruston was going to pull through, I was more than ready to head home.
As though reading my mind, Gunner pulled me close. “Let’s get you to bed,” he murmured in my ear, kissing the side of my head.
I nodded readily, watching as the club began to disperse with agreements to meet at headquarters in the morning.
Gunner took my hand as we followed Max and Wren out to the parking lot. “I can give you two a lift home,” Gunner offered, and I realized Max’s bike was at the club. They both nodded as we headed for Gunner’s truck.
“I can drive,” I suggested, knowing Gunner must be even more exhausted than I was. Unsurprisingly, he shook his head. “I’m good, baby. Climb in.”
I did as he asked, not having it in me to put up a fight.
The ride to Max and Wren’s was largely silent. Wren drifted off on Max’s shoulder, and I stared sightlessly out the window. The tension of the day, mixed with the events of the evening and adrenaline crash that was currently hitting, made keeping my eyes open nearly impossible.
“Emmie, baby, we’re home.” Gunner’s voice came through a bizarre dream as I sat up with a start. I hadn’t even realized I’d fallen asleep. “Let me carry you inside.”
I didn’t have time to respond before I was swept up in his strong
arms. I rested my head on his shoulders as he quieted the dogs wriggling at his feet.
“Is it really over?” I mumbled, almost afraid to hope.
“It’s really over,” he confirmed, laying me gently on our bed before pulling my boots off my feet and putting the covers over me. “Gonna shower and then I’ll be right in,” he murmured, his hand stroking over my cheek.
I had every intention of waiting up for him, wanting to bask in the beauty of our reunion, but as it happened, the last thing I remembered was the shower turning on before I was pulled into sleep.
* * *
When I woke up the next morning, the events of the previous day at the forefront of my mind, I turned to find Gunner sitting up in bed, gazing down at me.
“Hi,” I murmured drowsily, reaching for him. “Are you okay? Did you sleep?”
He nodded as he lay down beside me, pulling me into his arms. “A bit.”
I waited, knowing both that he had more to say and that he’d do that in his own time. For many long moments we lay in silence, my hand on his chest. I relished the steady thump of his heartbeat.
“I don’t think I realized how much part of me, for most of my life, was waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
My heart broke for the boy who’d lost his father at such a young age, who had seen his mother permanently scarred both outside and inside. For the man who needed justice so deeply, he hadn’t been fully living.
He rolled over, bracing his elbows on either side of me as he stared intently into my eyes. “I’m free. Free to live my life with my sole focus where it’s supposed to be. On you and our life together.”
My eyes filled with tears as I cupped the side of his handsome face with my palm. “Yeah, honey,” I agreed hoarsely.
“Let’s get married.”
“We will.” I laughed. “I didn’t think I’d have to remind you that we’re engaged.”
He dipped low, skimming his nose down my neck. “No, baby, I mean let’s get married today.”
I slapped at his shoulder. “Be serious.”
He pulled back to look at me. “I’m completely serious.”
And it was then, as I got a solid look at the determination in his eyes, I realized he wasn’t kidding.
“Uh, babe, as much as I want to be your wife, I think your mom and my parents would skin us alive if we ran off without talking to them first. Not to mention Grace.”
Grace was probably the one to fear the most when it came down to it. My friend could raise some serious hellfire when she had a mind to it.
“I want to marry you. Soon,” I added with a grin when it looked like he was about to argue. “And I don’t need some big fancy wedding. But I do want my best friend there, and not when she’s worried about her… well, whatever Ruston is to her. And I want my parents and your mom there.”
“Is a week enough time?” he pressed, skimming his mouth over mine. “I want you to be my wife. I want to put my baby in you. I want to start taking this house apart so we can put it back together as our own.”
“I want all of that too.” I sighed blissfully as his head moved south.
“One week,” he ordered as his head moved between my legs.
“That is so unfair,” I moaned. He knew full well I wouldn’t be able to resist him.
He looked up at me with a devilish smile. “Baby, I never promised to fight fair.”
Chapter 24
EMMIE
Ten days later, Gunner and I were up early, as had become standard, with him focused on tearing down walls inside, and me working outside.
We hadn’t delayed in the plans we’d laid the day after Castillo’s demise. It wasn’t uncommon for my brothers and pop to help out, along with other members of the club, but I was impressed with how much Gunner and I had accomplished, just the two of us.
Under Karen’s patient tutelage, now conducted remotely, I was starting to learn my way around the property. My green thumb was the only thing yet to improve, which was why, toward the end of the day, I was measuring the pen for the goats we’d agreed to get.
My partners in crime to take care of the weeds.
“Emmie Jackson, are you seriously telling me you’re covered in dirt when we’re supposed to be celebrating your bachelorette party in one hour!” Grace exclaimed from the back porch, looking gorgeous in a formfitting green dress. “This is why I knew I had to come pick you up!”
On that, she’d been right as usual. I was supposed to meet her at her house in an hour and had completely lost track of time. “This whole thing was your idea, not mine,” I reminded her as I headed her way. “And I can be ready in thirty minutes,” I assured her with what I hoped was a placating grin.
When I’d said I didn’t need a bachelorette party, Grace had been quick to disagree. Firmly.
I’d learned over the years which battles I’d never win with my best friend, and by the look in her eyes at the time, I’d quickly discerned this to be one of them.
We’d compromised on a mellow night with the girls at Grace’s place.
“You have your bag packed?” she asked when I reached her. I was staying the night with her while Gunner stayed at our place. A few of the Knights were coming over to hang with him, my brothers included.
“I do.” I nodded. “Just need to shower and get changed. If you want, you can do my makeup.” I quirked a brow.
Her eyes immediately lit up. “Yes! Okay. Go get dressed.” She shooed me forward.
When we walked inside, I surveyed the demolition that our home had become. To the naked eye it might be hard to tell the progress day by day, but I could tell my man had been hard at work.
“Be right back,” I told her, heading for our room and in search of my man.
“If you take too long, I’ll come get you, naked or not!” she warned as she made herself comfortable on our couch, one of the only remaining seating areas left.
When I entered our room, I heard the shower running and inwardly groaned. I wanted nothing more than to climb into the shower and lose myself in Gunner.
But I had no doubt Grace would keep her word, and best friend or not, no one saw my man naked but me.
“Hi, babe,” I greeted, gathering up my makeup bag from under the sink.
When he pushed the shower curtain back and all his hard muscle came into view, I momentarily forgot what I was supposed to be doing.
He grinned, knowing full well the effect he had on me. “Did you want to join me?” He quirked a brow.
“I really do,” I replied with a sigh of regret. “But I have to get ready and go meet the girls.”
He turned the water off and wrapped a towel around his trim waist before stepping out of the shower and directly into my space. “Tomorrow, you’re my wife,” he rumbled, the pleasure in that fact clear in his dark gaze.
“And only three days late.” I grinned. It had become a running joke between us. Frankly, I still couldn’t believe how much we’d pulled off in a short amount of time.
If it hadn’t been for my mom’s help, it wouldn’t have happened.
He cupped my neck in his large palms and dipped his head to take my mouth in a soft kiss. “Been waiting for this day since I was sixteen years old.”
I reached up to grasp his forearms. “You were worth the wait,” I murmured. “Now,” I grinned, putting a palm to his chest and pushing back playfully, “if you don’t stop saying sweet things to me, I’m going to be late, and I don’t want to do that to Grace. This is important to her, even with everything she’s got going on. And it’ll be fun to catch up with the girls. I’m only sorry that Ava and the girls won’t be there.”
The girls, Tank, and Cason had reluctantly left just the previous day, needing to get back to business in Bishop despite Ruston still being in the hospital.
“Glad Ruston’s doing better,” he said as he slid on a pair of jeans. We’d all been to the hospital frequently to visit him.
But no one had been more often than Grace. I’d begun to worry
what would happen when Ruston fully recovered and, more than likely, left town.
“Get ready, baby.” He swatted my backside. “The sooner this night’s over, the sooner you’re mine.”
“I’m already yours,” I reminded him, stealing one more kiss before I stepped under the warm spray.
When Grace and I walked out to the living room a short time later, I thought I looked pretty hot dressed in the black romper Grace had picked out, my face and hair done. When Gunner’s gaze widened, then narrowed, I knew for sure.
“Thought you were just going to Grace’s?” he demanded as he sat on the couch drinking a beer with Cash and Max.
“We are,” I replied, confused.
“Dressed like that?” he demanded.
“She wouldn’t let me do a proper bachelorette party,” Grace put in. “She compromised by letting me do her makeup and taking her out of the muddy boots she’s been wearing for two weeks. There will be no strippers. Maybe just some penis straws, and definitely girl talk. I know she looks gorg, and tomorrow she’s all yours. But tonight, she’s mine. Now, we gotta go.” She took my hand and moved to pull me from the house.
“Bye, babe,” I called with a grin, allowing Gracie to pull me to the adventure that lay ahead. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll be the one in white. Maybe!” I laughed. I had to leave the man some mystery, after all.
* * *
“Girls.”
My mother’s voice woke me from a deep sleep the next morning.
“Girls, wake up.” That was Scarlet’s voice now, Grace’s mom.
It was a familiar dynamic from childhood, the two of them trying to rouse us from bed after one of our regular sleepovers.
“Are they dead, Jilly?” Scarlet gasped theatrically, and I could hear the grin in her voice.
“Hungover, maybe.” My mom laughed.
“We didn’t even drink that much,” I grunted, trying to roll over and ignore them altogether.
“Stayed up too late talking,” Grace mumbled in agreement, swatting at them and inadvertently smacking me in the arm.
“Ow,” I protested and then promptly burst into a fit of giggles. She quickly joined in, and it was like we were being transported back to elementary school.
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