Gunner: Tempest Elite MC Book #3

by Reagan Phillips

  Shit. I've never been the cruel kind, but resisting Lexa is bringing it out of me. She's got to find another place to stay before I either break her heart or lose my control and make a mistake again.

  I slam the books closed and lean back with my coffee. I can't think clearly enough to be any good right now.

  I won't be any good to anyone until I get Lexa out from under my roof and remove the temptation for good.

  Chapter 5

  Lexa

  Our ride to the club is quiet.

  I passed Gunner's bike in the garage on the way to his truck and wondered if he wasn't forced to chauffeur me around if he'd have taken it instead.

  I'm cramping his style, and apparent from this morning, irritating the hell out of him.

  At the club, he sees me to the clinic set up in the back and brings me breakfast before disappearing for the rest of the day.

  My first two clients are no-shows. I expected it since they hadn't had the chance to meet me yet, and Everly explained their distrust in anyone with a medical degree. I saw much of the same during my time internship at the prison.

  My third appointment, an older member with a titanium knee, did show. We spent most of our time with me, giving him direction and telling me how Everly didn't do things the same way I was. In the end, I got five good minutes out of him before he claimed he'd already done too much and needed to ice his leg.

  On my way to the bathroom, I found him sitting at a table in the bar with his leg propped up on a chair and drinking beer before noon.

  "Hey, doc." I turn and find Bear coming down the hall toward me. "Are the boys treating you all right?"

  All but one, I want to tell him. "Two no shows and my ten o'clock is icing his leg in the bar. All in all, a better day than I expected."

  "Good to hear," he says. "Listen. My guys are all good men. They'd put their lives on the line to save you if you were ever in trouble. But some of them left the real world a long time ago, and that distance can make them crude." He leans in closer. "Anyone gets out of hand, you come straight to me. I won't tolerate it in my club."

  "Everly already prepped me on what to expect."

  "I'm just making sure you know. We respect women in my house. Members who don't are taken care of."

  I'm not sure if I should thank him, or be scared he felt the warning needed repeating. I settle for nodding before I excuse myself to the bathroom.

  Everly is in the bar when I come back out, and as soon as she spots me, she squeals my name.

  "Lexa. How has today gone?"

  "I had one client show, so I'm calling it a win." I glance over to him, still icing himself at a table.

  Everly laughs. "That's one more than I had on my first day." She pulls out a stool for me, and I climb up. "I'm waiting for dad to finish in the back so I can share our good news. How did you guys get along last night after we left?"

  I have to fight to not roll my eyes. It's my natural reaction to the question. "It was quiet," I say instead.

  "See. I told you it wouldn't be an issue."

  Gunner steps out from behind the bar, and Everly's face lights up. "Did the doctor have good news this visit?" he says with a tinge of worry in his tone. After all, he's a father, and it's sweet how he worries over Everly even though she's grown and married and about to become a mother.

  "Better than fine, though Kyle is still processing it all."

  Gunner and I glance at each other. It's only for a second, but the electricity that passes between us could light a city block.

  "Well?" I ask to cut the tension. "Is it the boy you hoped for?"

  Everly smiles and nods her head. Her eyes are brimming with tears, and I can't tell if she's about to cry or laugh.

  Gunner looks at her, confused. "That's great, hon. Is Kyle processing not having a daughter?"

  Everly pulls her hands up to her chest like she's so excited she can barely hold it all in. I want to ask her what is going on, but she blurts it all out before I can.

  "No. I get my boy, and he's getting his girl. We're having twins."

  "Twins," I repeat happily while I hear Gunner utter the same word in disbelief.

  "Everly, I am so happy for you." I'm not sure if I should be glad or concerned, but she's so thrilled that it's hard to be anything but excited.

  Gunner comes around the bar and stands in front of her. "Everly, did you know this was a possibility?"

  "No." She's still beaming. "But if I had, I would have wanted it. Aren't you happy for me?"

  She searches his eyes, and my heart drops in my chest. She's looking for his approval, but Gunner is stalling. When I think he's going to disappoint her, he pulls her into a hug and congratulates her.

  "There is a problem, though," she says once we're all seated with Gunner back behind the bar, making us glasses of water. "The doctor wants me off my feet as much as possible and sooner rather than later." She looks at me. "That means I'll need you to take over fully much sooner than we expected."

  "That's not a problem," I reassure her. Besides, keeping busy will keep me out of Gunner's hair, which will serve us both better.

  "It means you might not have as much free time to look for a place to live, and I won't be able to help you as much on the search."

  "Also, not an issue."

  Gunner places two glasses on the counter. "I can help. On my afternoons off. I already know a few places to start."

  I glance at him, wondering how he expects to keep his distance while driving me around apartment hunting.

  "Thanks, Dad. I guess we better get lunch and to the office if you're going to be ready for our one o'clock. It's more important than ever for you to meet my regulars now."

  I nod, but I'm still watching Gunner, wondering what he is thinking. I know he wants to get rid of me, and I can't pretend our conversation this morning didn't hurt. But how does he plan to keep his distance when we spend our evenings together apartment hunting?

  Did he make the promise to give Everly one less thing to worry over in her state?

  Before I can give the question much thought, Everly is on the move again. She tells Gunner she will have me home in time for dinner, and then she fills me in on our next client as she walks.

  I feel Gunner's eyes on me as we leave, but I don't dare look back. The sooner I can get a place of my own and out from under him, the better. I just need to find a way to accomplish my goal without causing Everly any more stress than necessary.

  Gunner

  I don't like the worried expression on Bear's face.

  He's been gone most of the day with Hawk, our road leader, and now that they are back, they both have concern deepening the lines on their faces.

  Hawk is a man of few words, so when he takes a seat at the bar and says nothing, I don't read much into it. On the other hand, Bear isn't one to hold back from me, so when he sits down and stays quiet, I know something is up.

  "What's up, prez?" I hear Scout ask from his position at the front door. He's sensing the same guarded mood I am, only I've known Bear long enough to keep my mouth shut until he's ready to talk.

  Bear growls in response and takes the stool closest to me. "Got any plans for tonight?"

  I shake my head. "Not important enough, they can't be changed." If whatever comes out of his mouth next gets me out of an hour of riding around with Lexa, I'm all for it.

  "Good," he says and points to the beer tap. "I'm calling Church, and I need every patched member present. I need you to call in the citizens and have the prospects on standby. Put them on guard until they're needed."

  I pour him a beer, then another for Hawk, and slide it down the bar toward his seat. "Trouble with the Devil's again?"

  Bear takes a swig and wipes his mouth before he answers. "They roughed up a few Dark Angels last night on our turf. Waited outside a movie theater to jump them. We've been asked to make a show of force in solidarity."

  "Shit," I moan. "Anyone, we know?"

  Bear takes his beer and gulps before h
e slams it down on the bar. "Chains and his ol'lady, Snake, and a newly patched citizen," Hawk answers.

  A spear of anger cuts through my ribcage and tightens my chest. Chains and Bear became close over years of PTSD counseling. They are still tight, and I know hearing the news had to have pissed Bear the hell off. I don't know how he's holding it all in, but I'm sure Bree has something to do with calming him down. "How's the girl?" I ask.

  "Bruised up pretty good, but nothing was broken. She's a scrapper, and Chains was able to get her away before things got too rough, but that meant leaving Snake and the new citizen to fend off a pack of Devils alone. Snakes at the clubhouse with their butcher, but the other guy had to be taken to the hospital."

  "Fuck. They went after the girl on purpose." I can't imagine making a choice between Everly and my men. There's no question, Everly will always come first. But, at what cost to the club? In the service, we had a code. We never left anyone behind. "We better keep the women close to the club then."

  "Hey." Bear knocks on the bar, getting my attention. "I know you're worried about Everly, but I don't want this spread around until we can talk in private. I don't need all the ol'ladies and sweetbutts breathing down my neck about safety. We need to come up with a plan. We'll keep them close, but make up a reason for it, so they don't panic. When we need to, we'll tell them the truth."

  "Everly's going to be staying home now anyway." That just leaves Lexa to keep an eye on.

  Bear finishes his beer before he motions to Hawk to follow. At the edge of the bar, he turns back. "Hey. Ever's appointment was today. How'd things go? The baby alright?"

  "Babies" It still doesn't seem possible, even saying it out loud. "A boy and a girl. She's having twins."

  Bear's eyes widen before he smiles. "Damn. She's never been one to do anything simple. I'll call in and check on Kyle once I'm done with Hawk. Congrats, gramps."

  "Thanks. Though if anyone else calls me that they're going to earn a sucker punch to the jaw."

  "Fair enough. Oh, and Gunner?" Bear adds. "Might be best to keep a close eye on the new therapist since she won't understand the dangers of her association with the Tempest Elite. She could be easy for the Devils to approach while in town."

  "Already on it." And I am. How much more can I watch out for her than having her living under my roof? But, I'm not sure Bear understands that I'm more of a threat to her than any rival motorcycle clubs. "I don't want Everly to worry about this too much. She's already been told to stay off her feet. Kyle and I have agreed for her, baby needs must come before the club."

  "We will keep an extra guard on Kyle's house and the practice in town then. I'll make sure they know how to stay out of sight."

  "Lexa will be spending most of her time at the clinic in town with Everly taking time off."

  Bear grins at me. "We won't have a problem finding a volunteer to keep an eye on Lexa. I've already had several members ask if she's taken."

  Members have been asking? I want to know who. I want to hang a banner over the damn bar that she's off-limits to everyone with a patch or a dream to ever have one.

  I have half a mind to tell Bear that she's not on the market, but I stop myself. Who am I to make that decision for her? Maybe after breaking it off with her boyfriend, a biker is just what she needs for a rebound.

  "What did you tell them?" I know Bear can read my frustration. I don't hide my emotions well around the men I served with.

  "That her situation is none of my damn business, but since she's staying in your house, you'd be the one to ask." He stares at me until I'm watching him just as intently. "I'm not making any assumptions, Gunner. But it'd be fine with me if you found yourself a little side piece. Fuck, you've earned it. And if she happens to be the settling down kind, well, it's time."

  I lean in over the bar, and this time, don't hide the anger in my voice. "She's Everly's friend. That alone makes her off-limits to any member. Including me."

  Bear raises his hands and backs away. "Hey. Whatever you say. As I told the membership, she's your responsibility."

  I nod, and Bear and Hawk head off in the direction of the meeting room. I take out my cell and send Kyle a text to meet a few minutes before Church so we can discuss the plan for Everly. She knows too much about how the club works to fall for whatever story we tell the sweetbutts. She'll take a little extra work on our part.

  Then I text Everly that dinner will be late, and she and Lexa should fend for themselves.

  The one silver lining to this impromptu meeting, I won't have to spend tonight sitting across the table from Lexa, pretending that I don't notice how perfect she is. I won't have to lie to Everly that everything is alright. I won't be accused of being hard and unyielding when all I want is to keep the people I care for safe.

  Chapter 6

  Lexa

  I know what it is to slowly go insane. That's what the last several days have been for me. The repeated pattern of waking in anticipation of finding Gunner already in the kitchen making coffee and hoping with each new morning, he will find it in his heart to forgive me.

  Living with a man you're attracted too and know you can never have is hard enough. But, cohabiting with a big, burly, brooding biker who you know finds you just as attractive as you do him without being able to act on it is the worst kind of torture.

  Most mornings, we meet like this in the kitchen. Each pretending to not notice the other. The truck ride into the club is usually quiet except for the talk radio Gunner listens too. You'd never expect a man like him to be so intuned with politics and worldly debate. It only adds to my attraction.

  Once we're both inside the club, I find refuge in the clinic room while he always brings me more coffee and something to eat before he disappears for the day.

  He and Bear seem close, and I rarely see one without the other around the club, which makes today stand out in my mind. Today, it's Bear that checks up on me before my first appointment, and it's Bear who brings me coffee even though I'd left Gunner in the bar only a short time before.

  My first appointment shows right on time, and we work through the exercises to help his shoulder injury. He was shot in the upper arm during a road fight he says and re-injured it a few weeks ago when he took a spill on his bike. He's harmless enough and even asks me if I have dinner plans.

  My second visitor is a bit more reluctant to have a strange woman touching him, but once I get him on his stomach and can roll my arms up his back a few times, stopping his spasms from his flexors, he relaxes and even follows a few of my directions.

  My third appointment doesn't show at all. Everly's clients are still getting used to someone new, and judging by the few I've gotten to know, they all have good reason to be a bit wary of strangers. Some of these men have had every misfortune possible thrown in their path, and Tempest Elite is their refuge. I'd never dream of taking that security away from them.

  Then there's Gunner, I muse while sitting at the bar waiting for my next client before I head to the clinic in town.

  What tortured past is he hiding from? What misfortune brought him to Tempest Elite?

  Everly has told me stories about how the club was established by men returning from the Gulf war and how her father and others became the second generation of members. Now there are more joining after returning from recent service. Most have been wounded mentally or physically. Some found returning to lives they'd left behind too much to cope with.

  It's heartbreaking to look around the bar and see these strong, dedicated men and know they came home broken.

  "Done for the day?"

  I turn at the voice coming from behind me. It's a man I've seen with both Bear and Gunner often. "I am. For here anyway."

  He walks behind the bar and helps himself to a bottle of water. He's not as tall as Gunner, and he's slimmer, but just as built and covered in ink.

  "I hate to do this to you," he says after retrieving a second bottle and holding it out in front of me. I take it, and he continues. "But if you've g
ot a free second, I have a favor to ask."

  "Sure," I smile. It's not typical for anyone from the club to come to me for help. I'm enamored by the fact he seems to trust me. "What can I help you with…" I pause for his name.

  "Scout, Ma'am"

  I frown. Scout at least got five years on me age-wise, and I'm okay with never being referred to as a ma'am again in my lifetime. "Lexa is fine, Scout. Nice to meet you."

  "Lexa," he half-smiles, half laughs. "Everly usually helps me out with this." He drops his bottle to the bar and tugs at his shirt, pulling it up over his head. I can see the tightness in the muscle before he points it out. I can also see the six-pack he's been hiding under his leather jacket. "Usually, I can stretch it out, but today it's pulling on my neck."

  "It's a pinched nerve." I stand so I can get a better view. "You need to release the muscle, so it stops pressing down on the nerve underneath. Then a simple anti-inflammatory over the course of a few days should do the trick to relieve the pain."

  "Release the muscle?" His cheek twitches. I know he's in pain, and I can't stand it. That's why I got into this field to begin with. After a car accident left me laid up in bed for weeks, I only regained the use of my legs because the physical therapist at the hospital wouldn't let me quit.

  "Here," I say and step behind the bar for a better look. I take his shoulder between my hands and feel around until I find the band of tight fibers. Then, I press my thumb into him as hard as I can and lay all my weight against him.

  I'm damn near falling into him to get the right amount of pressure, but after a few seconds, I feel the tendon give, and Scout's shoulder sags under me. Scout lets out a groan of relief. It's satisfying to hear, and I use the palm of my hand to rub the spot I just released.

  "You'll be sore for a few days, and you're welcome to come in anytime it gets stiff on you. If you can stop by the clinic in town, I can get an x-ray and create a treatment plan for the scar tissue that's causing your muscle to constrict.