Page 42 of Gunner

Chapter 19

When Lacey wokeup from a very fitful sleep, she saw Jack in the corner of her room. He was reading something on his phone and frowning, but he must have felt her eyes on him because he looked up.

“Morning. How do you feel?”

Lacey tested out moving her head, and apart from a slight headache and a sore throat, she felt okay. “Morning, Jack, and okay, I think.”

“Good. Gunner had to pop out and sort out living arrangements. He should be back shortly.”

Lacey blushed that Jack had read her mind so easily.

“Sorry, I appreciate you being here, I just...” She let the sentence hang because she honestly did not know how to finish it.

“It’s fine, Lacey, I get it. Gunner is the one person you want to see when you wake up. He’s a good guy.” Jack looked away and then back at her. “I’m just sorry it took me so long to remember it.”

“It all worked out in the end, though right? I mean he’s safe now. You do have his back?” Lacey didn’t really have the energy to take on Jack in a verbal sparring match, but she felt bad for how everyone, including herself, had treated him.

Jack smirked. “Yes, Eidolon fully has his back, and bridges have started the process of healing. What about you? Have you forgiven him for Pax?”

Lacey inspected her fingernails as she considered that Gunner hadn’t exactly told her anything but on reflection, if Pax could forgive it and now so had Blake, then there was obviously more to the story than she knew. Acting rashly was not like her, but it had been an emotional response. “I think that’s between Gunner and me.”

“Fair point.”

Jack stood and moved toward her. “Your house is salvageable. The fire brigade managed to contain it to the ground floor mostly, but it’s going to take a lot of work and will most likely be months before you can move back in there.”

“Just as well I was going to redecorate. Do we know who did it, and was anyone else hurt?”

“Everyone is fine, and we’re still making inquiries.”

The door opened, and her face fell when she saw a nurse instead of Gunner.

“Miss Cannon, let’s change those dressings and get you home, shall we?”

Jack moved to the door. “I’ll wait outside.”

The nurse began to unwrap her hands, and Lacey let her mind go back over last night. She’d been lucky to get out of the house alive, and she needed to thank Waggs for saving her. She remembered Gunner being there in the ambulance and wondered how he got there so quickly.

Fifteen minutes later, with small coverings over the more significant cuts on her hands that had stitches and a prescription for pain relief and antibiotics, she was given her discharge letter. Alone in the room, she was contemplating calling Skye when Gunner walked in. He’d recently showered if his wet hair was any indication and had changed into cargo trousers and a black tee that fit perfectly over his broad, sculpted chest. He had a carrier bag in his hand which looked odd with his overall appearance of manliness.

“Morning, Cosmo.” He strode toward her and kissed her head with a smile on his face. “Ready to get out of here?”

“Yes, please.”

He placed the bag on the bed and pulled out joggers, sequin slippers, a long sleeve tee, a mini wash kit, and hairbrush still in its packaging.

“I wasn’t sure what you would need but thought if I brought the basics you can go crazy online when we get home and get you settled.”

Lacey smiled and leaned her head back to look at him. “You’re too sweet to me.”

Gunner raised his eyebrows and grinned. “Is that even possible?”

“I mean it, Gunner. After the way I was with you, and you still show up when I need you.”

He faced her fully as she sat on the edge of the bed, her feet dangling. Lifting a hand, he tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and caressed her face, making her lean into his touch. The scent of his deodorant and the shower gel he used surrounded her, and she felt her belly flutter with desire for him. This was what home smelled like—Gunner was her safety, her happiness, and the only place she wanted to be was with him.

“I have some things we need to talk about when we get home, and we’ll talk about Pax too, but let’s get one thing clear right now. I’ll always show up for you when you need me, and even when you don’t, until the day you tell me to stop. I realised this last week that I should’ve fought harder to explain things to you, to fight for what we were building. I love you, Lacey. Maybe I shouldn’t say that or even feel it yet but it’s the truth. I’m head over heels for you.”

Lacey went to speak, and he held his finger over her lips. “No, don’t say anything. Let me tell you what I need to when we get back and then you can tell me whatever is on your mind. It won’t change how I feel either way, and I want you to have all the facts first.”