Gunner wasn’t surprised Brick had remembered. His father had been in the Ruthless Reapers MC, as had Brick’s. His father was never going to win any father-of-the-year awards, but that never mattered. The MC had always been Gunner’s real family.
After high school, he became an MC prospect. Brick had recruited him after getting him out of jail for punching some random tourist at a bar. He’d told Brick about Paige and the cold goodbye she gave him.
Remembering his pathetic, whiny, and out-of-control self all those years ago made him wince. “Yeah, that’s right. I never forgot her. I kept tabs on her all this time,” he said. “I knew the moment she moved back in Grace. When I saw her entering the bookstore, I decided to talk to her. We had coffee.”
“So, are you planning on seeing this woman?” Brick asked.“She sounds like bad news.”
“She might have her share of problems, and she told me she’s not ready to date. I have a feeling her ex-husband did a number on her.”
Brick’s gaze darkened. Like Gunner and other self-respecting members of the MC, none of them took well to abusers. “You’re still determined to have her?” Brick asked.
“Paige is the only woman I ever wanted,” Gunner said.
“Gunner, I don’t mean to insult you, but you’ve never really been in a long-lasting relationship,” Brick pointed out.
Gunner sipped his beer and bristled. Brick was no saint either. “Those women I’d slept with before didn’t mean anything to me. Paige is the one I’ve been waiting for my entire life. I’m serious about this one, Brick.”
“Serious enough to make her your old lady?” he asked.
“That’s right,” Gunner said with a nod. “She’s not ready to date? That’s fine with me. I’ll wait, but she better not make me wait for too long.”
“This woman hurt you once, Gunner. How are you sure she won’t do it again?” Brick asked. The concern in his voice touched him a little.
“I just have to convince Paige that her place is with me. We were teenagers then, just a couple of clueless kids. Things are different now, except—” Gunner paused, thinking.
“Except what?” Brick prodded.
“I’m not certain, but I have a feeling her ex-husband might be a problem. Paige never said it out loud, but I can’t ignore the feeling that something’s not right. They’re divorced, but the club has dealt with men like Richard Montgomery before. They don’t give up their possessions easily.”
“Paige’s ex-husband is a Montgomery, as in Montgomery Industries?” Brick whistled.
“Yep. He’s a piece of work. I quickly Googled him before the meeting. If you don’t mind, I’ll ask Whizz to dig up some information on him,” Gunner said.
“I don’t mind. This woman seems important to you. But I need to meet her, get a sense of her character.”
Gunner growled at that. Sure, Paige seemed comfortable enough talking to him. If another biker showed up and started sniffing around her, she might end up getting spooked.
“Hey, don’t worry. I’m just going to introduce myself as your friend,” Brick said. “I want what’s best for you, too, Gunner.”
“Fine, just make sure you don’t frighten her off,” Gunner mumbled.
“By the way, if you need any dating advice, you can always come talk tome,” Brick said.
Since Brick just found his old lady months ago, Gunner wouldn’t say no to his offer. Sure, he’d fucked plenty of women, but he never really dated anyone seriously.
Paige deserved romance if that was what she wanted. One man had already destroyed her. Gunner swore he’d do right by her.
Chapter Three
“You look like you could use a break,” Gunner said. The biker set down the take-out coffee from the diner on the counter, along with a brown paper bag. He had been bringing her coffee and lunch every day of the week.
A flutter started in Paige’s chest. “Thank you, I need the extra caffeine boost,” she admitted.
Gunner frowned, then studied the dark circles under her eyes. “Still can’t sleep?”
Paige shook her head. She’d played down her insomnia because she didn’t want Gunner to worry about her. She watched him look around the shop.
Agatha had gone out for lunch, but she let them have lunch in the store. The store was Paige’s safe haven. Being surrounded by all these wonderful books comforted her.
