Ramping Up by Zoe Dawson

Author:Zoe Dawson
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2016-06-19T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Helena

“I see that we need to take a different tack here. I’ll let Ray know,” Gunner’s father said softly.

“Mr. Smith. Gunner has made his decision, and harassing him is not going to help anyone. It’s best you just let this go and accept—”

“I don’t believe you’re trying to manage me. Skateboarding. Un-fucking-believable!”

Gunner was now braced in a gunslinger’s stance, his jaw set at a determined angle. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. This was the source of his pain, this animosity between them. It was clear that Gunner had downplayed his relationship with his father and that I would need to contain this. Find out what was going on with him, if he would open up to me. He seemed so distant; I figured it had to do with protecting me from whatever threat he envisioned his father posed, along with the fact that Ray Canton was in the mix. That was a terrible combination of volatile bastards. I hadn’t forgotten he’d threatened to take one of my clients. Now I knew who he had his sights set on.

“Gunner?” I said, my voice dead calm and damned serious. He didn’t relax his vigilance; if anything, he got more intense. “Gunner.” He looked pale, too pale. I was scared of the protective stance and the feral look in his eyes.

“You’ve worn out your welcome, Dad. Just for the record, if you ever lay a hand on Lena or disrespect her again, I will take you apart,” he said, his eyes challenging his father to even try anything else.

His father’s expression went sly, as if that had been what he was waiting for. “I’ll see you soon, my boy.”

Gunner’s fists clenched, and he took a step forward, but I moved in front of him, grabbing him around the waist. “Just…let him go.” I could hold on to him for-freaking-ever if that’s what it took. I could stand here and stare at him, his face inches from mine. Yeah, I could do that for the rest of my life if that’s what he needed. I gave a quick glance over my shoulder and felt a small measure of relief. His dad was retreating through the house and out the front door; even then Gunner did not relax.

“He’s gone.” I turned my attention back to him.

“For now,” he said, wearily. He looked shattered.

I wondered if he was on the verge of a meltdown.

“I’m chill,” he said, giving me his full attention. Right. He looked about as cool as a volcano.

“I doubt that,” I said. “Listen to me.”

His expression was pained. “This is not going to be good.” He reached out and snagged a tendril of my hair, letting it slip slowly through his fingers. “I’m usually not so…I’m-going-to-kick-your-ass tough. I don’t fight or get into pissing matches.”

I was staring again. Full throttle out, imminent disaster, and suddenly I was feeling a little weak myself, and vulnerable, and stretched a little thin in the emotional safeguard department. Too thin. I blinked, then blinked again and hardened my resolve against the unwelcome wave of emotion welling up inside me.

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