Sin City Temptation (Kimani Hotties), page 10
I might as well get up.
He slipped into his briefs and reached for his phone. It was really too early to be calling anyone, but he dialed anyway. For the past three years, it had been tradition for him to call his father on this day.
“I was wondering when I’d hear from you,” his father said after answering the phone on the first ring.
“Hey, Pops. Did I wake you?” Gunner fluffed his pillow and lay back on the bed. His brain was awake, but his body was wound tight. “So how’s the family? Have my niece and nephew worn you out yet?”
His father had retired earlier in the year and had volunteered to help Gunner’s sister around the house when her husband was deployed to Afghanistan.
“They’re great kids. I can’t believe how big they’re getting and how smart they are. Brina has been helping me learn how to use my new laptop, and Sam is going to be the next Aníbal Sánchez. That kid has a serious arm on him and lives and breathes baseball.”
Gunner smiled. “You definitely sound like a proud grandpa.”
Silence fell between them before his father spoke. “Your grandpa would have been seventy-five today. I sure do miss that old man.”
“Yeah, me, too,” Gunner said, his voice heavy with emotion. It had been three years since his grandfather passed away from pancreatic cancer. The cancer had gone into remission for a number of years, then came back with a vengeance, taking his grandfather’s life within months. There wasn’t a day that went by that Gunner didn’t think about him, especially during this time of the year. He had been Gunner’s biggest fan and the one who spearheaded his career.
“Dad would have been so proud of the man you have become. Like I am. I know I don’t tell you this often, but I am so proud of you, son.”
“Thanks, Pop, the feelings are mutual.” Growing up, their family didn’t have much, but there was no doubt that his parents loved him and his two sisters. “So have you talked to Mom lately?” His parents divorced a couple of years after Gunner’s youngest sister moved out. Unlike many other divorced couples, his parents were still the best of friends.
“Actually, I talked with her yesterday and she’s well. She’s still enjoying her missionary work in Haiti.” After the divorce, his mother pursued her life-long desire to travel the world and help people who were in need. Gunner’s father and sisters weren’t too happy with her decision, but Gunner supported the life change, encouraging her to do it while she was still able.
Gunner slipped into his running clothes while he and his father talked for a few minutes longer.
“Okay, Pop, I’m going to head out for a run, but I’ll talk to you soon.”
Gunner finished dressing, grabbed his keys and fifteen minutes later, he was hitting the pavement. He hated leaving without letting Trinity know, but he had been itching for a run for the past couple of days and today was the perfect day to get out. He always got like this on his grandfather’s birthday, as well as the anniversary of his death. Besides, she would have insisted on going with him and he needed some time to himself, and some time away from her.
Who wouldn’t miss the man? He had been Gunner’s confidant, his mentor and the person who had bankrolled his first poker tournament.
A smile found its way to Gunner’s lips as he glanced over his shoulder to check for oncoming traffic before crossing the busy street. A warm feeling of gratitude washed over him whenever he thought about all the good times he and his grandfather had together. His grandfather had taught him everything from fishing to how to change the oil in his car. Most important, he had taught him the game of poker. Before Gunner went off to college, very few weekends passed that they didn’t play Texas hold ’em or five-card stud. It was both of their favorite pastimes. After Gunner graduated, he had looked into playing in his first live poker tournament, only to find out that it would cost ten thousand dollars to participate. His grandfather fronted the cost and it turned out to be the event that had jump-started Gunner’s career.
Gunner looked up and realized he had run a lot farther than planned. The sun had made its ascent, and there were a few more cars on the road. He turned to run back the way he came, but slowed again when an eerie sensation crept up his spine. What the hell?
He glanced back, but didn’t see anything suspicious or anyone following him. He shook his head and chuckled. Apparently, Trinity’s overprotection and the crap involving his poker-playing opponents were making him paranoid. All right, man; don’t go getting all soft.
Gunner approached a stoplight and slowed, but continued to jog in place. Using his forearm to wipe the perspiration from his forehead, he blew out a couple of breaths. He needed to pick up his pace. Otherwise, Trinity would be awake and he would never hear the end of it from her. Not only that, it was at least eighty degrees and he felt like he was jogging inside of a sauna.
The light changed to green and the same eerie sensation returned. Gunner glanced over his shoulder. A dark sedan with tinted windows crept down the street, but he didn’t think much of it. People got lost in the area all the time.
He turned at the next corner and nodded as he passed a couple of women pushing baby strollers. Seeing them made him think about the family he hoped to have someday. On his next birthday, he would be thirty-one, and he was finally ready to settle down. Trinity immediately came to mind. This was the first time in his life that he could actually envision sharing his life with a specific woman without it freaking him out.
“Look out!” someone yelled.
Gunner glanced back in time to see the dark sedan speeding in his direction.
Damn.
He kicked his legs and pumped his arms as they propelled him forward, but not fast enough. The car closed in on him. Panic rioted through him; his heart hammered loudly in his chest and sweat dripped into his eyes. He ran faster, pushing himself harder, trying to put some distance between him and the vehicle. Just as he cut across a corner lot, the car jumped the curb. He couldn’t get out of the way fast enough. The car nipped the side of his body. A guttural howl like that of a wounded bear started in his gut and shot out of his mouth. His body went sailing through the air before crashing into some bushes, a searing pain shooting through his side.
The other vehicle sped off and, before Gunner could catch his breath, a small crowd of people surrounded him.
“Are you okay?”
“Somebody call 911.”
“Stop! Don’t move him.”
Everyone spoke at once and the constant chatter slowly drifted to the background. Gunner squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth against the throbbing in his leg and hip, trying unsuccessfully to relax his muscles and catch his breath. After a few deep breaths, he sent up a quick prayer of thanks. At least he was alive.
His next thoughts were filled with thoughts of Trinity.
She’s going to kill me.
* * *
“I am going to kill him,” Trinity seethed when she checked the three-car garage to see if any of Gunner’s vehicles were missing. She had scoured the place up and down in search of him, hoping that he hadn’t left the house as she suspected. This is ridiculous! How am I supposed to guard someone who refuses to follow my rules?
She stepped outside and into the backyard. She was pretty sure he wasn’t out there, but it had been the only place she hadn’t checked. Where is he? Anger had been the dominant emotion when she first suspected he wasn’t there, but worry was starting to settle into her bones.
Trinity marched back into the house and locked the sliding glass door behind her. She dialed Gunner’s cell phone again, and again it went to voice mail.
“Damn him!” She paced in front of the kitchen counter, wondering where he’d gone. She didn’t know if he had called a driver or if he was somewhere on foot.
She jumped when her cell phone rang. “Gunner!” she answered on the first ring. Silence greeted her on the other end before anyone spoke.
“Nope, it’s me,” her brother, Maxwell, said. “Why would you be thinking it was Gunner calling when you’re supposed to be guarding him?”
“Because the stupid jerk snuck out of the house this morning without telling me.” She couldn’t believe that she hadn’t heard the door chime.
Irritation singed every nerve ending within her and she clenched her jaw shut to keep from spewing the curse words that were dangling on the tip of her tongue.
“How could you misplace your client so early in the morning? It’s not even seven o’clock yet and, knowing Gunner, if he had a tournament last night, you guys probably didn’t get in before two or three. Are you sure he came home with you last night?”
Trinity ignored the humor in her brother’s tone and sucked in a calming breath before she spoke. “Max, do you happen to know where he is?”
“Nah, I haven’t talked to him in a couple of days. I was actually calling to see how you two were making out.”
Heat rose to Trinity’s face when she thought about the kiss she and Gunner had shared. If her brother knew she had made out with her client, she would never hear the end of it, especially since said client was his best friend.
She cleared her throat. “We were making out just fine until this little stunt.” She returned to pacing the length of the kitchen. “I was planning to call you later today anyway. Do you guys have any suspects in connection to the incidents with the three poker players? Any witnesses, clues, anything?”
“We’ve talked to a few people of interest and a couple of witnesses from the first two incidents. Unfortunately, there’s nothing to suggest that the attacks are connected.”
Trinity cursed under her breath. She was starting to think that Gunner was right, that the incidents were connected.
“Well, keep me posted if you find out anything.”
“Will do. Call me back if Gunner doesn’t check in soon. He might be out jogging.”
An hour later, Trinity was in the kitchen wiping down the counters when the house alarm went off. Removing her small pistol from her ankle holster, she eased around the corner and into the hallway.
“I ought to shoot you just for the hell of it,” she said from the far end of the hallway when Gunner walked into the house. “You hired me to watch your back. How am I supposed to do that when you leave the house without telling me?”
“Trinity,” he breathed.
She holstered her gun and folded her arms across her chest, waiting for him to say more. When he didn’t, another smart remark teetered on the tip of her tongue, but then she noticed he hadn’t moved. “Gunner...what’s wrong?” A wave of apprehension swept through her as she eased toward him. The closer she got, the more closely her gaze traveled the length of his body. “Oh, my God! What happened?” She didn’t miss the pain etched on his face, the bandage on the side of his temple and the ripped pants.
“Someone ran me off the road.”
“What? When? How?” she rattled off, barely taking a breath. “Tell me what happened.”
Trinity led him toward the kitchen, ducking in the powder room for a hand towel along the way. Gunner sat on one of the bar stools and she noticed the slowness of his moves.
“Gunner,” she said, wetting the towel and then walking over to him. “We should get you to a hospital to have you checked out. A blood stain has seeped through the bandage on the side of your head.”
He started to shake his head, but stopped as if he were in pain. “No. Paramedics checked me out already.”
“And they didn’t take you to the hospital?” She stepped back, the anger from earlier returning. “What is wrong with them? You need to be checked out.”
“I refused. Told them I was fine,” he said in a monotone voice.
“You don’t look fine. I can’t believe they didn’t insist.” She dabbed at a few scratches on the side of his face and he flinched, glaring at her.
“I’m sorry. Tell me what happened.”
Gunner told her about his run and the eerie feeling of being followed. “When I looked back again, the car was barreling toward me.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t get out of the way fast enough. The car clipped my side and I landed on my right hip near some bushes.”
“Were you able to get a look at the driver? Did anyone get the license plate, a description of the car or anything?”
“Everything happened so fast. All I know is that it was a dark sedan with tinted windows. No plates.”
Anger crawled through Trinity’s veins. “See, if you hadn’t snuck out of the house, this probably wouldn’t have happened!” She pointed her finger at him, jerking it back and forth with every word. “When are you going to understand how this bodyguard thing works? You are not to go anywhere, and I mean anywhere, without me. Got it?”
Seconds passed as she glared at him and he stared back at her without speaking, his eyes focused on her lips. Trinity stepped back, ensuring that he wouldn’t suddenly kiss her the way he had before. She’d be lying if she said that she hadn’t enjoyed it, but there was no way she was letting it happened again.
“Gunner—”
“I heard you, Trinity,” he said with attitude. “I’m not to go anywhere without you.” He stood slowly, cursing with every move he made. Why he was being so stubborn about going to the hospital, she wasn’t sure. He could barely walk.
“Maybe you can get cleaned up in the bathroom down here so you won’t have to tackle the stairs.”
He stopped, cursed and held his side before he began moving again.
“I really think you should—”
“Forget it, Trinity. I’m not going to the hospital.” He walked slowly out of the kitchen with her following close behind. “All I need is a long soak in my tub and maybe a stiff drink.”
“But I thought you didn’t drink.” She almost bumped into him when he stopped suddenly. According to him, he had consumed enough alcohol while in college to last a lifetime.
“I don’t, but I could use one.”
“I can’t believe you can joke considering what you’ve just gone through. Do you need me to help you up the stairs?” She stood next to him, her hand on his lower back.
He shook his head. “I think I can make it.”
“Then what can I do to help?” If she couldn’t talk him into going to the hospital and getting checked out, she wanted to do whatever she could to make him feel better.
“You can come upstairs with me and wash my back.”
She heard the humor in his voice and narrowed her eyes at him, her hands on her hips. “That’s not going to happen. So try again. What can I do to help you?”
He brushed a lock of hair from her face and pushed it behind her ear, something she did often. Seconds passed before he spoke.
“Find the bastard who tried to kill me.”
* * *
Gunner stepped out of the Jacuzzi tub and wrapped a towel around his waist, feeling better than he had a half an hour earlier. He looked at himself in the mirror. He removed the bloody bandage from over his right temple and examined the cut that looked worse than it felt. His mother always said he had a hard head. Today proved her right. The bruise on his legs and hip would probably linger for a couple of weeks, but the mental images that kept flashing before his eyes were going to be a different story. He couldn’t shake the fear of seeing that car plowing toward him with every intent of killing him. He had no idea who would hate him enough to come after him. But when he got his hands on the person behind all of this, he was going to make them sorry they ever targeted poker players.
* * *
Trinity balanced the tray of food with her left hand and knocked on Gunner’s bedroom door with the other. She figured he’d probably be hungry and had made him a sandwich and added some pasta salad that was leftover from the day before. Knocking again without getting an answer, she wondered if he’d fallen asleep.
She opened his door slightly and called out to him with still no answer. Stepping inside, she glanced around the huge space and walked farther in when she didn’t see him. He must still be in the bathtub. She placed the tray in the sitting area on the mosaic table that was in front of the love seat. He would see it the moment he came out of the bathroom.
Just as she turned to leave the room, the bathroom door opened.
Oh. My. God. Trinity stood frozen in place, her pulse pounding in her ear, heat rushing through her veins. In all of her twenty-eight years, never had she seen a more magnificent sight than the naked man standing before her. When God was handing out body parts, he clearly saved his best for Gunner.
She finally released the breath that was lodged within her, but couldn’t divert her gaze from the perfection standing only six feet away. A muscular chest and broad shoulders that tapered down to flat abs—she couldn’t believe he’d been hiding such flawlessness beneath his T-shirt and worn jeans. And with the thick package he was working with, it was no wonder women vied for his attention back in college. A body like his should be showcased for the world to see, or for at least every woman with a pulse.
“I guess if you’re going to guard my body, you might as well see what you’re guarding.” He eased across the room as if walking around naked in front of her was the most natural thing to do.
At his dresser, he pulled an item from the top drawer and stepped into a pair of sleek black boxer briefs. When he turned and faced her, Trinity’s heart fluttered wildly and a wave of dizziness draped over her like a heavy quilt. Her hand flew to her chest and she leaned against the side of a chair in his sitting room to catch her breath. She couldn’t stop her gaze from zeroing in on his semi-erection pressed firmly against his briefs. His thick, tree-trunk legs were spread apart as if making sure she got a good look. Gunner in sexy underwear was just as enticing as him naked.
