Page 46 of Gunner

Jack shrugged, but Gunner knew it cost him. “What he did to you was worse. Talking of which, how’s Milla getting on?”

“I haven’t seen her, but from what I understand from Waggs, she’s doing well.”

“Haven’t you been to see her yet?”

“I haven’t had a chance yet with everything.”

“You should go and take Lacey before it gets so big you can’t get over it.” Decker was right, he knew that but seeing his sister was always hard, and since the rescue, it had been worse. Seeing his grandmother almost gutted him.

“Yeah, I’ll think about it.” Decker stood and clapped him on the shoulder.

“The things we avoid only become more powerful with time and avoidance, Viking.”

Gunner remained silent but watched him go. “You reckon he ever takes his own advice?”

Jack was watching where Decker had gone. “I think his demons make ours look like child’s play, and that’s why he keeps them locked away so tight.”

“Hmm, maybe.”

“So, you down with this plan?”

Gunner assessed Jack and considered the plan. Osbourne was more likely to buy it if he’d been accepted completely.

“His men are still watching me, or at least they were before I whisked Lacey into hiding. They know I was in an out of here a lot and Bás is playing his part too, so yeah, I think it is a good plan. Do you think the Queen will have us pull the trigger?”

“It’s what we do, so most likely. She isn’t afraid to do what’s needed to ensure the safety of the Crown.”

“True. Then, yes, I think it will work. Where are you thinking for the meet?”

“Blake is coming in shortly so we can iron that out. Can you stick around for that?”

“Yeah, Bebe is with Lacey, but I left her sleeping.”

Jack sat back and rested his hands on his belly. “Things good between you two now?”

One thing about Jack he may be a perpetual bachelor, but he cared about his men and their happiness. “Yeah, they are. Better than good actually.”

Jack cocked his head, a smirk on his face. “Am I hearing wedding bells?”

Gunner chuckled. “Maybe but not yet.”

“Fucking hell, I’m gonna look like a penguin if you assholes keep making me wear the suit.”

“Might be you one day, Jack.”

“No chance. I see what marriage did to my mum. I’d never risk pushing this life on some poor unsuspecting woman.”

“Best find a suspecting one then, boss man.”

“Yeah, like those are everywhere I look. What I need is a strong independent woman who is also willing to accept my job comes first.”

“Yeah, good luck with that.”

“All joking aside, I’m glad things are working with you and Lacey. I hate the shit that happened to you and that we didn’t know about Milla so we could protect you. Will beat himself up over that failing on his part.”

“I should’ve been honest, but it was good old-fashioned pride that brought me low. If I’d admitted what happened with my sister, then it wouldn’t have happened, but I was ashamed for my part in what happened to her and hid her away. That’s on me.”

“I guess we all learned some big lessons.”