He studied me, cataloguing every inch of my body. But I didn’t have to be worried he was about to ravage me. Oh no, not always-in-control Gunner. He was analyzing me, making sure I wasn’t hurt. Guess I was a job for him once again.
As soon as the Irish were out of sight, two other guys dressed in black tactical gear appeared out of nowhere. One had dark olive skin, a shaved head, and was bigger than Gunner, something I didn’t think was possible. The other one had a surfer vibe going on with his tousled blond hair and lean body.
I also knew them both. Carter and Blake.
“That’s it? I would have thought the Irish would put up more of a fight,” Carter—aka surfer guy—said, grinning at me, displaying an even row of blindingly white teeth. “Freya, good to see you again.”
Maybe if I pretended this wasn’t happening they’d just disappear.
“I’m taking her to the safe house,” Gunner instructed once he tore his gaze away from me.
I whirled around, hands on my hips, changing my mind on the whole ignoring bit. My dad could have sent anyone, yet he chose Gunner. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
He grunted and shrugged, making me think he agreed. Next thing I knew, he’d put his shoulder in my belly and lifted me up.
My head was dangling dangerously close to his firm ass, and my hands went to his back, gripping his shirt.
“Are you insane? Put me down,” I shrieked, outraged at being manhandled.
“Not happening. Now stop screaming. I’d hate for someone to call the cops.”
Apparently done discussing this with me, he turned to Carter and Blake.
“Go back to base and report in. There was a camera across the road and at the flower shop on the corner. Get the footage,” Gunner instructed.
“You got it, boss,” Carter said. They jogged across the road to a black SUV and drove off.
“I can take care of myself,” I declared. “I don’t need you.”
He huffed. “I saw how well you took care of yourself. Almost got yourself kidnapped, spitfire.”
“I would have gotten away if you hadn’t blocked my path,” I hissed.
He grunted but didn’t reply.
Great, I just loved listening to unintelligible grunts. Felt almost like I was back home with my brothers. They seemed to have a problem with the English language as much as Gunner did.
After a short and uncomfortable walk, we stopped next to another black SUV. He beeped the locks and put me in the passenger seat. His face was close to mine when he put my seat belt on, his hand grazing my belly and hips.
The fleeting touch made my whole body tremble. You’d think after five years I’d be over this bullshit, but the body wanted what the body wanted and all that crap. Because from the moment I’d first seen Gunner, he’d taken up camp in my heart and soul, and it appeared he hadn’t let go since.
“Don’t try and run. You’ll just make this whole thing uncomfortable for both of us,” he said.
I glared at him. “I’m sorry to be such an inconvenience. But I have an idea that would make your life a lot easier. Let me go, and I promise to stay out of your way.”
He closed the door and my hand immediately went to the handle, finding it locked with no unlock button.
We were pulling away from the curb and on our way before I even had a chance to undo my seat belt.
“So, what now? You’ll lock me away until whoever’s Wheaties my family pissed in decides to either back off or mysteriously disappear?”
“The Irish aren’t just going to go away.”
I sighed, realizing this must have been more serious than I first thought. Usually my family just made whatever problem they had disappear or threw money at it. Guess this time they really screwed up.
And the Irish? Who in my family was stupid enough to get involved with them?
“Dad knows where I am?” I asked, even though he clearly did since he’d sent Gunner to watch me.
