Violet's Guns: Book 9 of Colson Brothers Series

by Reese Madison

  ***

  I smiled. Four years ago he promised to be my family. I’ve been trying to give him an out ever since he dropped me off at college four years ago. True to his word he’d stuck it out with me. Suddenly I don’t feel like crying into a bottle of Jack while sifting through old memories. All I want to do now is go upstairs and figure out what I need to do to make the bedrooms right.

  I’m too old now for us to sleep in the same bed without things getting weird. He can have my parent’s bed. I’ll go back to my old bed in the room on the other side of the bathroom.

  Gunner obviously figured out the shower because I can hear it running. He must have planned this because there’s a bag I don’t own on my parent’s old bed. When did put it there? I poured myself some more whiskey then walked down the short hall and pushed open the door to my old room.

  Flipping on the light made me laugh. “It looks like a bunch of deflated ghosts.”

  After carefully removing the sheets I threw them in the washer then went back to open a window. It took me a minute because they’re not the flimsy things I’d grown up with. I made a mental note to pay the club back as soon as possible. These look like nice windows.

  Right now I’m pretty much broke. I have enough money to clean the shop and get it ready for artists to rent spots from me, but that’s about it. I have much bigger plans for this place, but one thing at a time.

  “What are you doing in here?” Gunner’s voice made me jump.

  I spun around. “It’s my room dumbass.”

  “Dumbass huh? I’m not the dumbass that thinks she’s sleeping in here tonight.” He pointed down the hall. “Go.”

  “No, you can have that room. This bed is too small for your big ass.”

  “I’m not sleeping in here. Fuck that. Neither are you. Go steal the damn blankets. I didn’t break up with that bitch to sleep alone.” Gunner always sounds grumpy, like his truck or bike just broke down and left him stranded and pissed off on the side of the road, but right now he sounds more annoyed than usual.

  “What?”

  “Just go Violet. Order the damn pizza already. I’m hungry.”

  I walked up to him instead of past. “I’m not a kid anymore. We shouldn’t sleep in the same bed.”

  “Why? You afraid I can’t control myself?” Now he’s insulted. I can’t win.

  “I’m afraid a simple hug will turn into much more. As soon as we have sex everything will change.” I informed him.

  “We’re not going to have sex Violet. Go.” He turned me by my shoulders and pushed me down the hall to my parent’s room. “Pick a movie, and pour me a drink.”

  “I don’t take orders from you anymore!” I watched as he plopped his big butt on my mother’s side of the bed and sat back against the headboard. “That’s my side.”

  “No, it’s mine.” He picked up the remote for the TV and hit the power button.

  To my surprise it lit up with a channel. “I cancelled that service years ago.”

  “I turned it on two weeks ago.” He countered glancing at me.

  I blinked trying to make sense of this. “You knew you’d be here?”

  “I knew you’d be here. Are you going to order us some pizzas or what?”

  “Still like the same?” I give up. Mostly because I’m hungry.

  “Yeah.”

  I dug my phone out of my purse and dialed the once familiar number.

  Gunner always wants the supreme pizzas, but he picks the mushrooms off and puts them on my sausage and pepperoni. I know better than to ask if I should order his without mushrooms. Evidently he likes the flavor but not the texture. It’s no wonder he’s still single. The man has bizarre quirks.

  I forgot how much I’ve missed his quirks. One of which being his insistence I drink entirely too much water, eat one more piece of pizza than I need, and putting his head on my lap to watch the late show. He started putting his head on my lap about two weeks before it was time for me to start college.

  This time I dared to peel his bandana off his head. “Why do you wear this when you’re not riding?”

  “Feel like it.” He replied simply.

  I moved his hair around with my fingertips careful not to be to too annoying. “Feels weird being in my parent’s bed with you.”

  “Don’t get any ideas. I’m not that easy.”

  I laughed. “You are that easy dumbass. You’ve probably had like a thousand women since I left for school.”

  “Three.” He corrected.

  “Really?? Why just three? You’re like hot as fuck. You should be getting all the pussy.” Seriously, he should. He’s the epitome of tall dark and sexy. Not handsome. Dangerously sexy. Perfect scruffy face, messy long hair, and a tall slender build but shoulders broad enough you know you’re going to get your ass kicked if you fuck with him.

  “You think I’m hot?” He asked rolling to look up at me.

  I sat back against the headboard and exhaled for what seemed like the first time in four years. “I don’t, but the sluts seem to.”

  “Why are you home before graduation?” Busted.

  “I had the best graduation a girl could ask for already. That and I’m kind of over the ceremony of it all. The club is over me anyway. I didn’t want them to feel like they had to make a big deal when I’m not that into it anyway.”

  “The club isn’t over you. The girls ask me about you all the time. They guys are more like me and only ask every now and then, but they’re not over you. Not by a long shot.” Gunner assured me as I combed his hair with my fingers. This is too intimate. I should stop, but I can’t.

  “That’s sweet of you to say, but I liked it better when they were over me. Just roll with it.”

  “No. I won’t lie to you. You’re very important to all of us. You were orphaned on one of our runs. We’re your family now.”

  “Out of obligation, not because you want to.” I corrected.

  He reached up and pulled my hair hard. “You are not an obligation. Never have been. Don’t ever insult me, or my club, again. That, you will get a solid spanking for.”

  “Sorry. I just don’t want to be a burden anymore.” I conceded so he’ll let go. Which he did.

  “You should be sorry. You’re not a burden. Lay down.” He sat up and pulled me into a spoon. “Pain in my ass.”

  I felt my eyes roll before sleep quickly overtook me.

  A phone rang waking us up.

  I grabbed onto his hand before he could take it away from my chest over my heart trying to savor the moment. “I missed you so fucking much.”

  He hugged me back and kissed the top of my head. “I missed you too. Let go. It’s the bat phone.”

  He rolled off to get the phone. I listened as his conversation trailed off. Club shit. Thanks Slider. Can’t I have him for a few minutes??

  I’d just started to doze off again when he smacked my ass. “Get up.”

  I smiled and wiggled liking the sting of his affection. Yeah, I’m weird. I might also me off my nut when it comes to Gunner. I tried to tell him to go away but he refused. “In a minute.”

  I fell in love with Gunner the first time I set eyes on him the day of the accident. I’m not so stupid to think it was real at first. Grief does strange things to people. It wasn’t until about halfway through college when I went home one time that I knew he loved me too.

  I walked into the bar and threw my arms up as if I mattered. I was in a rare giddy mood and wanted to share it with the only family I have. The club is sweet and they made a bigger deal than they should have. Gunner literally shoved some bimbo off his lap and all but ran over to grab me up in a bear hug that tried to crush my ribs as he spun me around and around. My feet haven’t touched the ground since.

  That’s also when things got complicated. I was still in school. He was, and probably still is, the eternal bachelor. I don’t want to change him, which is why he needs to go home. Last night was nice, but I can’t get used to him being here. I’ll end up like his sluts, a
lways wanting more, and never getting any more than the boot.

  That would suck. Gunner is my savior. My protector. My best friend. I’d kill to love him like he deserves.

  But no. Gunner is a lone wolf. I need to respect that and kick his ass out of here before he thinks this is his second home.

  “Violet!” He yelled from the bathroom.

  “Why do I have to get up?!!” I yelled back burying my face in the pillow he’d slept on. Damn that man smells good. I bought a bottle of his cologne my first year in college. Wore it every day to keep my nerves in check. It worked wonders until I tried dating. Men don’t like their dates to smell like another man. Whoops.

  “Because Slider wants to see you at the club!” He yelled back.

  I got up and went to find something to wear. “Great. I sleep with his sarge one night and already I’m being beckoned like a bitch.” I’m kidding obviously. Slider knows better. He probably just wants to welcome me home and offer his assistance should I need anything.

  Gunner stepped back in the room zipping his jeans. He’s shirtless, and I’m drooling. “What?” He asked as I stared.

  I blinked and shook my head. “You’re bigger. Been hitting the gym?” I started to go around him towards the bathroom but he wouldn’t move. I looked up. “What?”

  “You talk in your sleep.” Damn I’ve missed that deep gravely voice.

  “What did I say?” My heart is suddenly pounding in my chest.

  “Too much. I know how you feel about me Violet, always have, but you need to keep that shit to yourself.”

  “I can’t help what I say in my sleep, and I haven’t always felt that way.”

  “You can tell me all you want, nobody else. I’m in a whole lot of crosshairs, all the fucking time Violet. You know what I do. You know I can’t have personal attachments because of that. We are friends, nothing more.” Who is he trying to convince? Me or himself?

  “I’m not the one that insisted on spending the night here last night. If anyone is giving off wrong impressions, it’s you. Now move. What does Slider want with me anyway??” I ducked around him and into the bathroom.

  He followed. “I don’t know, he wouldn’t say. Just told me to bring you in before lunch.”

  “I’ll ride in. I have some errands to run afterwards. Are you going to stand there and watch or close the door so I can have some privacy?”

  His eyebrow went up. “Is watching an option?”

  “Only if you’re planning on giving up bachelorhood.” I shooed him out and closed the door. “Shit.” If he doesn’t back off I’m going to end up losing my heart to this man.

  3

  Slider gave me a big ole hug. “Welcome home kid.”

  I hugged him back hard because he reminds me so much of my dad’s hugs. “Thank you. It’s good to be home. I have to admit I’m a little curious why you called me in.” I confided as he ushered me over to a picnic table.

  “What are your plans now?” The president of Exiles with the long white beard asked casually. If he had a long wooden staff with a skull on top he could be a biker wizard. He’d have a name like Lucifer Rapscallion.

  “I’m hoping to reopen my mom’s shop. Our styles are different, but I think I can build my own business. Why?” I remained standing since he didn’t sit.

  “Your mother was the only one I allowed to put my patch on my members. When we lost her I tried a few other artists, but none really panned out. Now I have a handful of members with shitty patches inked on them.” From the look on his face I can tell this confession pains him.

  I cringed agreeing that has to suck. “What can I do?”

  “Fix them.” He replied simply. “I want you to take a look at the originals, use Gunner’s if you want. Fix the newer ones so they at least come close. Can you do that?”

  Duh, of course I can. This man’s club took me in after the horrific death of my parents. “I’ll do my best. I grew up watching her ink your patch. I think I can help. Is that it?” This can’t be it. Salina could have asked me, or Red. Then again it’s his club. His design. His patch.

  He looked over to where Gunner is talking to Goat. “Careful with that one. He’s always had a soft spot for you. Don’t let him break your heart, because I promise you, he will.”

  “Oh I know. To be honest I’ve been bracing myself for that for years. I doubt it’ll take the sting out of it though. I decided that when it happens I’m going to take a nice long vacation and start phase two of my master plan.”

  He looked intrigued. “Master plan? Phase two?” He’s genuinely curious.

  I nodded. “Phase one is to open up the tattoo parlor and get it in the black.” Meaning out of debt. Most new businesses spend the first three years in the red, aka debt. “Phase two is to open an antiques store with dad’s old shop. Phase three, the final phase, is to open a wine and deli bistro out back. It’ll take years, but that’s kind of the point. Enjoy the journey, you know?”

  He tilted his head searching my eyes with his Colson blues. His eyes sparkle with youth, but the lines flanking his eyes tell his age. “You’re wise beyond your years Violet. Let me know if I can help at any time along the way. How long before you open the ink shop?”

  “Probably three months, maybe six. I have a lot of work, and recruiting, to do. You can send your guys over any time. You’ve gone above and beyond for me, they won’t be charged for the repairs.” It’s the least I can do after they let me move in for three months after my parent’s deaths. Not to mention the alarm and new windows.

  “Thanks kid.” He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “If Gunner ever gets his mind right you’re going to make him an excellent old lady.”

  I laughed. “Gunner will never get his mind right. It’s part of his charm.”

  Slider’s laughter is rare and made me smile. “Gunner and charm are two words that definitely don’t belong in the same sentence.”

  “Agreed.”

  Since all I have is my motorcycle Gunner very kindly offered me the use of his truck to load up on supplies for my remodel. He had a very strange look in his eyes when I took his keys.

  My mind wandered all during my shopping as to what that look was all about. I replayed the exchange over and over in my head.

  He closed his hand around the keys when I reached for them. “It’s going to cost you.”

  I put my hands on my hips bracing for his next round of ridiculousness. “I’m afraid to ask.”

  “You should be. It needs washing, and bring her back with a full tank.”

  I rolled my eyes and launched my hand out palm up. “Give me the damn keys.”

  “There’s more.” There’s also a devilish sparkle in his eyes that’s starting to look a lot like flirting.

  “I’m not sleeping with you.”

  “You’re already sleeping with me.” He reminded me.

  “You know what I mean. Even Slider warned me you’d break my heart. Forget it. I’m not the brightest bulb in the box, but I’m smart enough to know better than to get too close to you. Now give me the damn keys and stop messing with my head.”

  “As long as I’m staying here, you don’t date. No men. Got it?”

  I gave him a look and shook my head. “You really are an idiot, and you need to move out. This can’t be healthy. How old are you?? And seriously, I didn’t have time to date in college. I have a Masters in the time it takes most people to get a Bachelors. I plan to date a lot. Like every day a different guy.”

  He slapped the keys down in my hand. “Just so we understand each other.”

  “I’m nowhere near understanding you Gunner, but I’m not stupid enough to bring another guy around with you up my ass.” I closed my hand around the keys then closed my eyes. “That came out wrong.”

  “Maybe, but it made for a very nice visual.”

  I smiled remembering the way I kicked his ass all the way to the bathroom where the door became his only protection. “Asshole.”

  I made good use of his
truck and loaded up. If I can borrow it two more times I may not need to buy a truck as soon as I thought. Gunner to the rescue again. He reminds me of Deadpool. The un-superhero.

  It took me the rest of the day to load and unload his truck, get it washed, and clean the lobby enough to paint. My stomach reminded me I’d gone too long without food so I dug out the rest of Red’s lasagna and ate it cold standing behind the counter.

  Gunner pulled up before I could finish like he knew there was food and now would be a good time to show up. If it wasn’t for the fact that I know he’s not a Colson, I’d wonder. They all eat like pigs and only seem to get stronger and broader. Gunner has gotten bigger, but he’s not quite Colson big.

  The bell over the door rang as he opened the door startling him. I almost choked when he batted it down. “The fuck??”

  “It’s a bell so I can hear people coming in if I’m in the back.”

  He flicked it off as it lay dying on the floor. “Get rid of it or next time I shoot the fucking thing.”

  I’m still laughing as he approaches eyeing my food. “No, you can just get used to it.”

  “I’ll set the chime on the alarm so you know.” He offered stealing my fork.

  “No. I like the bell better. The chimes are too office like. People come here to get away from the office.” I explained as he prepared to finish what I probably shouldn’t anyway.

  When he didn’t respond I went back to work ripping out carpet.

  “Jesus Violet. Are you gutting the place?”

  “Down to the bare necessities. This carpet is shot, and concrete is cooler in the summer months. I’m going to stain and seal it.”

  He turned and stepped back as the dust kicked up. “Can you wait until I’m done eating??”

  “No. I’m going to run out of money quick, so the sooner I get this place ready the faster I can open it.” I reefed on another section landing on my ass, again.

  He looked around noticing all the cans of paint and other supplies. “How much did all this set you back?”