Untamed Hunger Page 9

  “I don’t know.” He was quiet for a minute. “I have a confession to make. I lied.”

  She struggled against his weight to sit up. He rose up on one arm, letting her squirm out from beneath him. “Wait, what? You lied? About what?”

  “About liking you.”

  “Huh?” Her face went numb. This wasn’t really happening. Not now, not with Gunner. She sat up against the head of the bed, pulling her knees to her chest.

  “The truth?” He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, resting his elbows on his knees, looking at the floor.

  She managed to nod.

  “It’s more than just this…” He waved his hand over the bed. “I mean I like the sex.” He glanced over at her, and she swore he was blushing. “I really like the sex…”

  “But?” She flushed, her face growing hot.

  “It’s more than like… I think it’s a lot more, actually.”

  “You know, on second thought, maybe you do suck at this. What are you trying to say?”

  He gave her a wry smile. “If I had to put a word to these feelings I have for you?” He reached out, fingers brushing against her cheek. “I think I love you, Claire.”

  Her heart skipped a beat, then sped up. “Oh. Well…”

  He leaned forward, kissing her softly. “And I don’t expect a declaration of love from you, or anything like that…unless you want to. Really. I’m not that needy.” He chucked against her lips, before pulling away to lock eyes on her face.

  But in his eyes, she did see a need, and her heart swelled with emotion. “I think it’s possible I might love you, too. It’s not just the outrageous sex either.”

  He smiled and then grabbed her around the waist, pulling her down to the bed. He leaned over her, pinning her to the mattress.

  “So if we have more outrageous sex, will that help you come to a decision?”

  She reached up, tracing the curve of his cheek, as he rose above her. “There’s no harm in trying.”

  18

  Gunner had shaken her awake the next morning, sitting on the bed. He was freshly showered, and dressed. She rubbed her eyes groggily, squinting against the bright sun that filled the cabin.

  “What time is it?” Her voice was husky with sleep.

  “Still early, but later than I wanted it to be. We need to get going. Adrian may be sick and wounded, but he’s still dangerous. You’ve got time for a shower and a cup of coffee, then we need to hit the road.”

  The mention of Adrian’s name cleared the fog from Claire’s head. She climbed out of bed, grabbed a change of clothes, and hit the shower. True to his word, Gunner had a cup of steaming coffee waiting for her.

  “Where are we going?” She took a sip of coffee, then turned to pack a few of her belongings in her duffel. The leather satchel was where she’d dropped it, and she compulsively opened it, rifling through the contents. She latched it, breathing out a sigh. When she raised her head, she found Gunner looking at her, one eyebrow raised.

  “What’s in the bag?”

  “Bits and pieces of my former life, I guess.” She shrugged. “The only pictures I have of my mom and dad, old friends…some letters I got, back before I knew better than to let someone know where I was.”

  Gunner nodded, then pointed across the room to a small shelf.

  “The only pictures I have of my dad.” He gave her a smile filled with memories. “Most of them I took when I was a kid, so he’s lopsided, or I’d cut off the top of his head.” The smile faded. “But they’re all I have left of him.”

  “None of your mom?”

  Gunner’s eyes dropped, and he turned away, looking out the big window. She winced. Obviously she’d hit a nerve.

  “I’m sorry, Gunner.”

  He shrugged. “I never knew her. No one talked about her much, including my dad. She wasn’t part of my life.”

  Claire set down the leather satchel, and closed the distance between them. She slid her arms around his waist, resting her head on his back. He covered her hands with his, and they stood for a long moment, the quiet of the cabin surrounding them.

  Gunner led Claire back down the mountain path. When they came to the spot where Adrian had dragged her, she hesitated. He turned, and saw the fear on her face, as she scanned the forest.

  “I can see him, all bloody and deformed, hiding behind every leaf and branch. I half expect him to lunge out at us, and attack.”

  “He’s not here, Claire. You’d be able to smell him. And stealth isn’t his style, you know that.”

  She didn’t look reassured by his words, but she moved on down the path.

  He left her while he made his way through the brush to his motorcycle. As he came around the corner on the bike, he saw her standing by the side of the road, looking down at the skid marks Adrian’s car had left. Her arms were wrapped around her body, her face drawn and pale. They hadn’t talked about what he’d done to her or said in the car. She hadn’t offered, and he didn’t want to push her. When she was ready, he’d listen.

  He pulled up, and she wordlessly climbed on the bike. Then he turned the bike around, and they headed back to the city.

  “I want to see Reece.”

  They’d stopped at a rest stop. Claire stood on the grass, working the kinks out of her back. Shading her eyes against the sun, she looked at him for a long moment.

  “I don’t have anywhere else to go. My apartment…” She shrugged. “I’m never going there again.”

  Gunner pulled out his cell, and made the call. The relief in the older man’s voice was clear, and Gunner felt a pang of distress. It hadn’t occurred to him that Reece would be worried, and for a minute he was overwhelmed by the thought.

  The bike shop was dark, except for a dim light at the back of the shop. Gunner took the bike around the back, parked it in the alley, and together they headed to the side door of the building.

  Reece was sitting behind his desk, a half-empty bottle of whiskey, and a glass in front of him.

  “Hey, Gunner. You’re a sight for sore eyes. Claire, I’m glad you’re safe.” He came around from behind the desk, engulfing Gunner in a bear hug. There was a brief, awkward moment where Reece looked at Claire, then pulled her against him in an equally strong embrace.

  “Sit down.” He motioned them toward the wooden chairs in front of the desk, as he sank back into the chair behind his desk.

  “I expect you both have questions. I’m not sure I have any answers that are going to help, or if you’re just going to end up more confused by the end of it at all, but I can tell you what I know, and what I’ve learned from Malone.”

  “You’ve had some of these answers for a long time, Reece. I think it’s time I know everything there is to know. It’s my history, you know?”

  Reece waved his hand, and nodded. “Yeah. I know. Been dreading this conversation since you called.” He poured whiskey into his glass, tossed it back, and set the glass back on his desk.

  “I don’t really know where to start. None of this is easy.” He looked at Gunner and Claire, and rubbed his hand across his eyes. Gunner thought Reece suddenly looked a hundred years older.

  “You know Victor’s a powerful Alpha. And Adrian’s his son…only he’s not Victor’s only son, as you now know.” Reece pointed at Gunner. “You’re his kid, too. Adrian’s half-brother.”

  Reece set his elbows on the desk. “You never knew your mother. None of us did. We knew your dad…the guy you thought was your dad...knew his whole clan. Never had any problems with them. Then, your dad turns up dead. Hell, the whole clan turned up dead. And you…there you were, with no home. So Malone took you in.”

  The glass was full again, and Reece took another drink, staring for a minute into the empty glass. His voice was distant with memories. He went on, almost to himself. “You were a hellion, no doubt. Took off as soon as you could, but you always came back.”

  Gunner leaned forward. “Reece. Do you know who killed my dad? Or why?” Reece looked up at Gunner, his tired
eyes bloodshot.

  “I do. I’d hoped I’d never have to tell you any of this, kid. Or who it was.” He turned his eyes toward Claire, and Gunner caught the glint of tears. “And I’m sorry to be the one to have to say this, to both of you. But so help me, it’s the truth.”

  Gunner stole a glance at Claire. She was starting at Reece, brows drawn together. Her confusion was just as deep as his.

  “Claire, it was your father that Victor sent to kill Gunner’s dad…and to kill Gunner.”

  19

  Claire made a strangled noise. Gunner turned to her, reaching for her hand. The world suddenly felt unstable, like he’d downed the whiskey, not Reece. He shook his head, and tried to focus on Reece, trying to convince his mind to accept the man’s words.

  “So Victor had my clan killed? And then my dad? Why?” Even to his own ears, his voice sounded strange, unreal. Pretty much everything he’d heard sounded unreal.

  “No, son. You have it backwards. Victor wanted you dead, wanted you out of the picture. This was before he knew Adrian was sick. He didn’t want you showing up, looking to challenge Adrian as Alpha. The accident…your father’s murder…it was supposed to be both of you that got killed. The clan…he went after them, systematically, looking for you. Killed them, thinking they were hiding you. But he didn’t know you’d come here, that Malone took you in.”

  “And my father? Why did Victor have him killed?” Claire gripped Gunner’s hand, eyes locked on Reece.

  “He didn’t do his job, didn’t get it done. Didn’t kill our Gunner here.” He gestured toward Gunner. “Don’t do Victor’s work, suffer the consequences.”

  Claire pulled her hand away, folding her arms across her chest. She sunk into her chair, eyes on the floor. They sat in tense silence, Gunner desperately trying to understand what this must be like for Claire, trying to understand what this meant for him, and for them together.

  “So what about Adrian? What’s wrong with him?” Her voice was distant, rough with emotion.

  “The kid’s sick, no doubt. From what I heard from Malone, it’s the reason behind the whole marriage between the two of you. Get him married, get you pregnant …put another Alpha in line. Someone other than Gunner. Adrian’s not long for this world, and you know better than anyone how crazy he is.”

  Claire slumped in her chair. Gunner looked over at her. Her face had gone pale, her breathing shaky.

  “So I was nothing more than an incubator to carry the next Alpha? So much for true love.” Her laugh was short and bitter. She turned to Gunner.

  “What now, Gunner? What do we do? I don’t want to run anymore.”

  Gunner leaned toward her. “You’re not running anymore. You’re with me, remember? I’m not going to let anything happen to you, not going to let Adrian, or Victor get to you. Trust me. I’ll keep you safe.”

  He saw a flash of uncertainty in her eyes, but he didn’t know what else he could say to make her understand just how much she meant to him. She held his eyes, and he saw the confusion clear, the uncertainty fade. She squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and drew in a deep breath. Then she smiled, and the doubt was gone. She squeezed his hand.

  “I trust you…with my life. And Gunner…I love you.”

  Gunner’s world came to an abrupt halt for a heart-stopping moment, and everything he had heard from Reece, the truth about his father, his history, it all faded. Claire had said the words, she loved him, and for that moment, it was all that mattered.

  He turned to her, holding out his hand. “I love you, too, Claire. With all my heart.”

  She reached across to him, closing the distance between them. As her hand disappeared in his, he felt her fingers trembling, and he squeezed tightly.

  “No more running, Claire.”

  “Gunner…” Reece’s voice pulled him away, and he turned.

  “Remember, you’re still a wanted man.”

  “What?” Gunner asked, confused.

  “Victor still wants you dead. You’re still very much a threat. To Adrian, and to Victor himself.”

  Gunner shook his head, brows furrowed. “But I don’t want to be Alpha. Never will.”

  Reece nodded, his face drawn tight. “That doesn’t matter. They’re going to come after you…especially since you’re involved with her.” He jerked his head toward Claire. “You’re a marked man.”

  Gunner sat back, frustrated. Beside him, Claire made a noise between a sob, and a sigh.

  “Gunner…I can’t let you…”

  He stood, pulling Claire up from her chair. She came toward him with a gasp. His hand lifted, the backs of his fingers smoothing her cheek. “You’re not letting me do anything. I’m standing by you because this is where I want to be. Now and always. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. No more running, remember?”

  He whispered against her hair, and she felt the warmth of his breath wash over her skin. “You have my word, Claire. I love you, and we’ll get through this together. I will never leave you.”

  Her head lifted from his chest. “No more running,” she agreed.

  He held her tightly against him, the beat of her heart thudding against his broad chest. She fit perfectly in his warm embrace, and she knew it was exactly where she belonged.

  20

  “It’s not much, but I call it home.”

  Gunner held the door for Claire. Glancing nervously one last time down the hall, she stepped inside his apartment, setting her duffel beside the door. Behind her, she heard the click of the lock, then the sound of the deadbolt shooting home. They were on the second floor of a brick apartment building not unlike her own.

  “It’s fine…I’m so tired right now, I can’t see straight.”

  The door opened into a small living room, with a small kitchen table set to one side. A galley kitchen was to her right, the foot of a bed visible through a door to her left. She glanced around the space. It was messy but clean, with books set on almost every surface. In the corner of the room, a battered electric guitar leaned against the wall.

  “I know. It’s been a hell of a ride, hasn’t it?” Gunner dropped his backpack on the floor.

  “You play?” She gestured toward the guitar.

  “Oh, yeah. Sometimes. A few guys from the shop, we play. Typical garage band stuff, nothing fancy. But we do okay.” He gave a dismissive wave of his hand before turning away. There was more than a hint of pride in his voice, and Claire thought he was probably very good.

  “You hungry?” Gunner asked.

  “Yeah. Starving. Anything’s fine.” She dropped onto the couch, kicking off her shoes as Gunner headed into the kitchen. “Work your assembly magic, and I’ll be happy.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  Claire listened to the comforting sounds of Gunner banging on cupboards, rattling things around. She leaned her head back, closing her eyes, relieved to be someplace safe, at least for the moment. But her thoughts refused to stop spinning, her mind replaying everything that had happened since she’d met Gunner. So much had happened, so much had changed. Her world had been turned upside down in more ways than one.

  It seemed impossible that they had just met. He was practically still a stranger, more unknown than known. She’d trusted him with her life, and so far, he’d done a damn fine job of keeping her safe. But after what had happened with Adrian in the forest, she wasn’t so sure Gunner alone could keep her safe. Besides, he was a marked man now too, as far as Victor was concerned. She didn’t think it would make much difference to Adrian if he killed Gunner because Victor wanted it that way or because Gunner had taken her from Adrian. Either way, it was the two of them against a whole world of hurt.

  “So, what now? Where do we go?” She opened her eyes, sitting up on the couch. Gunner appeared in the kitchen doorway, a knife in one hand, a jar of mustard in the other.

  He held up his hand, brandishing the mustard. “We eat lunch.” Then he smiled at her, and the knot of tension in her chest loosened a little.

  “We
don’t panic, Claire.” He walked toward her. “Reece told us a lot of stuff that’s tough to understand, but what we don’t do is react by running. We think about what to do. We’ll talk about it after we eat, and get some sleep.” He leaned down, kissing her on the top of her head, before disappearing back into the kitchen.

  They ate sandwiches in silence at the small kitchen table, and when they were finished, Gunner cleared the dishes. He came back from the kitchen, and held out his hand to Claire.

  “Come on. You look exhausted.” He led her to the bedroom. Gunner glanced around the room. “Guess I’ll have to fire the cleaning lady.”

  The blinds were drawn, the room dark. The room was vaguely messy, the bed rumpled, but it still looked so inviting.

  “Well, it’s not like you left expecting company. I don’t mind.” Despite herself, Claire yawned. She clapped a hand over her mouth.

  “I’m sorry. That was rude.”

  Gunner reached out, and pulled her against him. “No apology needed. You’ve been through a lot. We both have. We need a good amount of sack time.”

  Claire lifted her head, eyes meeting Gunner’s. “But what about Adrian? I can’t sleep knowing he’s out there, that he’s searching for me…for us.”

  “He’s out there. But we’re safe here. Before we left his shop, Reece said he’d send some of the clan members over, have them keep an eye on the building.”

  “But I didn’t see anyone.”

  “That’s the point. You won’t. Neither will Adrian. If he shows up, he’ll have to deal with them as a surprise. And from experience, I know if you get them riled, they’re hell on wheels. You don’t have to worry.”

  Claire held Gunner’s eyes a moment longer. The strength she saw there and the conviction in his eyes steadied her nerves. She breathed out a sigh, letting herself relax against his body. She rested her head on his shoulder as his arms went around her.

  “It’ll be okay, Claire. Trust me. We’ll get Adrian taken care of, one way or another.”