“I expect you two have questions. I’m not sure I have any answers that are going to help, or if you’re just going to end up more confused by the end of it at all, but I can tell you what I know and what I’ve learned from Malone.”
“You’ve had some of these answers for a long time, Reece. I think it’s time I know everything there is to know. It’s my history, you know?”
Reece waved his hand and nodded. “Yeah. I know. Been dreading this conversation since you called.” He poured whiskey into his glass, tossed it back, and set the glass back on his desk.
“I don’t really know where to start. None of this is easy.” He looked at Gunner and Claire and rubbed his hand across his eyes. Gunner thought Reece suddenly looked twenty years older.
“You know Victor’s a powerful Alpha. And Adrian’s his son...only he’s not Victor’s only son.” Reece pointed at Gunner. “You’re his kid, too. Adrian’s half-brother.”
Reece set his elbows on the desk. “You never knew your mother. None of us did. We knew your dad...the guy you thought was your dad...knew his whole pack. Never had any problems with them. Then, your dad turns up dead. Hell, the whole pack turned up dead. And you...there you were, with no home. So Malone took you in.”
The glass was full again and Reece took another drink, staring for a minute into the empty glass. His voice was distant with memories. He went on, almost to himself. “You were a hellion, no doubt. Took off as soon as you could, but you always came back.”
Gunner leaned forward. “Reece. Do you know who killed my dad? Or why?” Reece looked up at Gunner, his tired eyes bloodshot.
“I do. I’d hoped I’d never have to tell you any of this, kid. Or who it was.” He turned his eyes toward Claire, and Gunner caught the glint of tears. “And I’m sorry to be the one to have to say this, to both of you. But so help me, it’s the truth.”
Gunner stole a glance at Claire. She was starting at Reece, brows drawn together. Her confusion was just as deep as his.
“Claire, it was your father that Victor sent to kill Gunner’s dad...and to kill Gunner.”
Claire made a strangled noise. Gunner turned to her, reaching for her hand. The world suddenly felt unstable, like he’d downed the whiskey, not Reece. He shook his head and tried to focus on Reece, trying to convince his mind to accept the man’s words.
“So Victor had my pack killed? And then my dad? Why?” Even to his own ears, his voice sounded strange, unreal. Pretty much everything he’d heard sounded unreal.
“No, son. You have it backwards. Victor wanted you dead, wanted you out of the picture. This was before he knew Adrian was sick. He didn’t want you showing up, looking to challenge Adrian as Alpha. The accident...your father’s murder...it was supposed to be both of you that got killed. The pack...he went after them, systematically, looking for you. Killed them, thinking they were hiding you. But he didn’t know you’d come here, that Malone took you in.”
“And my father? Why did Victor have him killed?” Claire gripped Gunner’s hand, eyes locked on Reece.
“He didn’t do his job, didn’t get it done. Didn’t kill our Gunner here.” He gestured toward Gunner. “Don’t do Victor’s work, suffer the consequences.”
Claire pulled her hand away, folding her arms across her chest. She sunk into her chair, eyes on the floor. They sat in tense silence, Gunner desperately trying to understand what this must be like for Claire, trying to understand what this meant for him, and for them together.
“So what about Adrian? What’s wrong with him?” Her voice was distant, rough with emotion.
“The kid’s sick, no doubt. From what I heard from Malone, it’s the reason behind the whole marriage between the two of you. Get him married, get you pregnant ...put another Alpha in line. Someone other than Gunner. Adrian’s not long for this world, and you know better than anyone how crazy he is.”
Claire slumped in her chair. Gunner looked over at her. Her face had gone pale, her breathing shaky.
“So I was nothing more than an incubator to carry the next Alpha? So much for true love.” Her laugh was short and bitter. She turned to Gunner.
“What now, Gunner? What do we do? I don’t want to run anymore.”
Gunner leaned toward her. “You’re not running anymore. You’re with me, remember? I’m not going to let anything happen to you, not going to let Adrian or Victor get to you. Trust me. I’ll keep you safe.”
He saw a flash of uncertainty in her eyes, but he didn’t know what else he could say to make her understand just how much she meant to him. She held his eyes and he saw the confusion clear, the uncertainty fade. She squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and drew in a deep breath. Then she smiled, and the doubt was gone. She squeezed his hand.
“I trust you...with my life. And Gunner...I love you.”
Gunner’s world came to an abrupt halt for a heart-stopping moment, and everything he had heard from Reece, the truth about his father, his history, it all faded. Claire had said the words, she loved him, and for that moment, it was all that mattered.
He turned to her, holding out his hand. “I love you, too, Claire. For always.”
She reached across to him, closing the distance between them. As her hand disappeared in his, he felt her fingers trembling, and he squeezed tightly.
“No more running, Claire.”
“Gunner...” Reece’s voice pulled him away, and he turned.
“Remember, you’re still a wanted man.”
“What do you mean?” Gunner asked, confused.
“Victor still wants you dead. You’re still very much a threat. To Adrian, and to Victor himself.”
Gunner shook his head, brows furrowed. “But I don’t want to be Alpha. Never will.”
Reece nodded, his face drawn tight. “That doesn’t matter. They’re going to come after you...especially since you’re involved with her.” He jerked his head toward Claire. “You’re a marked man.”
Gunner sat back, frustrated. Beside him, Claire made a noise between a sob and a sigh.
“Gunner...I can’t let you...”
He stood, pulling Claire up from her chair. She came toward him with a gasp. His hand lifted, the backs of his fingers smoothing her cheek. “You’re not letting me do anything. I’m standing by you because this is where I want to be. Now and always. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. No more running, remember?”
He whispered against her hair, and she felt the warmth of his breath wash over her skin. “You have my word, Claire. I love you, and we’ll get through this together. I will never leave you.”
Her head lifted from his chest. “No more running,” she agreed. “I love you, too. I always will.”
He held her tightly against him, the beat of her heart thudding against his broad chest. She fit perfectly in his warm embrace, and she knew it was exactly where she belonged. For always.
* * *
Stay tuned for the follow-up to Untamed Hearts, “Wild Desires”, available June 2014!
About The Author
Catherine Vale has been writing fiction for as long as she can remember, but it wasn't until she wrote her very first paranormal romance story that she found herself hooked on the raw, edgy love affair of shifters, vampires and other dominant alpha males and the captivating women that love them.
Catherine Vale writes both contemporary and paranormal romance for readers who are willing to take a walk on the wild side of love. Her stories always include powerful alpha males, smart and sassy heroines and a happily-ever-after (even if she often puts her characters through hell to get there!)
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Connect With Catherine!
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Website: http://www.CatherineVale.com
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Other Books By Catherine Vale
Happily Ever Alpha
The Wolves Next Door
Visit Catherine Vale online at http://www.CatherineVale.com for a complete listing of books!
Untamed Hearts (BBW Biker Werewolf Romance) Page 9