Wayward Soul by Kim Young, K. Renee Page A

of my grip and spins to face me. Pointing her finger in my chest, she starts to yell, "Fuck you, Gunner! This is all your fault. That guy only came after me because of you ! You made me part of something I don't want to be part of. How could you? My door is broken, and I have members of the Wayward Saints in and out of my apartment. I just want my life back. Why are you even here? Didn't you hurt me enough yet?" Tears are starting to fall down her face.
    Her fists are balled up and she looks like she's about to swing at me. Even though her huffing and puffing is quite cute, she ’ s upset and she has every right to be. It is my fault those guys came after her, but she needs to know I will always protect her whether we are together or not.
    "Beauty, I know you're mad right now, but I would never put you in harm's way on purpose. You mean the fucking world to me and I will always make sure you ’ re protected. I made sure my guys were watching your place. I'm here because I care about you and want to make sure you ’ re okay."
    Her lip trembles and I know she's going to cry even more, so I pull her to my chest. She tries to fight me, but I wrap my arms around her. I whisper in her ear, "No matter what happened between us, you will always be under the protection of the club." I can feel her body tremble and her tears are soaking my shirt. I hate I'm always the one making her cry. Maybe ending things between us really is the right thing to do. I just want her to be happy.
    We stand like this for a little bit before I hear voices and something drop on the floor in the other room. Must be one of the prospects that's supposed to be fixing the door. Casey ’ s trying to look over my shoulder, but I keep blocking her. Her tears are starting to dry up and she doesn't look as upset. She rests her head on my chest and I can feel her take a deep breath.
    "Case, I just want you to be happy. I hope you know that." She nods against my chest.
    Josh comes and knocks on the door, making her jump out of my arms. "Gunner, the door's almost done. You want us to get one of the guys to set up an alarm?"
    She shakes her head, so I tell him once it's done, they can leave. He nods his head and says good-bye to Casey. I want to break his neck for even talking to her.
    Her voice cracks when she speaks again, "Gunner, this doesn't change anything." I kiss her head and pull away, seeing tears running down her face. I kiss her lips and walk out the door.

    I spend the next few nights drowning in booze at the house. The club whores are slinking around me, but don't actually come near me because I flipped out on one of them the other night.
    She wasn't my beauty and I didn't want her touching me. My brothers seem to be keeping their opinions to themselves, which is good for them. The first one of them to open his big mouth will get his face beat in.
    I've been sitting at the bar all day when Johnny finally comes up. "Hey, fucker. You done wallowing yet, or are you still being a bitch?" he says, smacking my shoulder.
    "Fuck you!" I slur, trying to get up from my stool. I start to fall, but he steadies me.
    "Fuck, Gunner. You ’ re sloshed. Let's get you to your room before one of these bike bunnies tries to rape you."
    I can't help but laugh. "You and I both know I probably couldn't get it up anyway, ” I say, holding onto him.
    He leads me to my room and pushes me onto my bed. I hear the door close, but I don't even bother looking up. Fuck. Even my bed smells like her.
    Before I know it, I'm passed out.

Chapter Nineteen

    It's been six months since I last saw Gunner and I am still as miserable as the day I walked away from him for the second time. I can't get him out of my mind, but I still won't let myself call or text him. I try to remind myself that his life is dangerous and unsafe, but I miss him so damn much.
    To top things off, I miss my best friend, too. Hell, Anslie and I barely talk anymore. I hate that she married Charlie. I shouldn't have