Gunnin' for You (Rolling Thunder series Book 4) (14 page)

Emma grinned thinking that would be fun—a road trip of sorts. “I have some friends who’ll help us load the trailer. They helped me move out. I’ll give them a call, you’ll love them.”

“They aren’t guy friends, are they?”

“As a matter of fact, they are. Two of them are hot, hot, hot.”

Chapter Nineteen

After the sun had been up a couple hours, they packed their overnight bags into Gunnar’s truck. His mood felt lighter than he’d felt in a few days.

“I’ll run in and fill up a couple travel mugs and be right out,” Emma said as she strutted back to the house.

Gunnar watched the sway of her ass and a grin split his face. “I’m a lucky fucker, that’s for sure,” he mumbled to himself.

He walked to the back of the Rolling Thunder trailer he’d borrowed from his dad to check the locks on the tailgate. The chirp of his phone broke into his thoughts.

Tapping the “answer” icon he said, “Yeah?”

“So Emma’s house burned down, huh?”

Gunnar froze at the voice on the other end. That voice grated on his nerves. At a loss for words, his breathing picked up, the hammering of his heart vibrating his whole body and the slight trickle of sweat forming on his scalp threatened to bring him to his knees.

“No words I see. I told you to come and see me, but you didn’t. I told you I wouldn’t take no for an answer. Believe me now?”

Gunnar’s jaw tightened, his back ramrod straight as his eyes instantly went to the door Emma had gone through.

“What. Do. You. Want?”

“Ahh, so you can speak.” Chuckling. “So, I expect you to meet me at Dianna Simpson’s house. You know it, right? Your biological father’s home?”

“He’s dead.”

“Yep, he is. But, we need to discuss some of his activities before his death and a certain little box of goodies you have that belongs to me.”

Gunnar’s lip curled into a sneer. “I don’t have
any
thing that belongs to you or anyone else.”

“Ahh, but you do. It was wrongly given to you and I want it back.”

Gunnar watched Emma step out of the garage door. Her beautiful face creased into the most brilliant smile and her blonde hair flowed down her back, swaying as she walked. The halo it created around her head seemed as though God himself was telling him she was an angel sent especially for him.

Quickly looking at the pavement under his feet, he ground out. “I’m leaving town this morning and won’t be back until Tuesday. It’ll have to wait until then.”

“Right, Daddy Dog gave you his trailer to take out of town.” More chuckling over the phone as Gunnar’s eyes roamed the surrounding houses and the street. He didn’t see anyone sitting anywhere watching.

Hearing Emma’s boots tap on the pavement of the driveway, Gunnar quickly added into the phone, “I’ll call you when I get back. We’ll talk then.”

Quickly tapping the
end call
icon, he shoved his phone into his back pocket while reaching out his hand to take the cup of coffee Emma offered. She tilted her head to the side as her eyes roved his face.

“You all right?”

“Yes. Yeah. It’s fine.”

Her pretty brows furrowing, she pursed her lips then nodded a couple of times before sipping her coffee.

Gunnar turned, jerked on the trailer closures and twisted his head towards the truck as he briskly strode to the driver’s side and climbed in.

Emma hurriedly followed his lead and climbed into the passenger side of the truck.

“You’ve been getting these mysterious phone calls lately and they upset you. Won’t you tell me about them?”

“It’s nothing. Just some jerk. Don’t worry about it. You have enough to deal with right now.”

Twisting her lips, she stared out the window. She wanted to say more, but she didn’t want to pry either. Actually, she wasn’t sure what her place was with him. They were sort of living together now, but they didn’t really
know
each other in the respect that they knew all things about each other. And she did have a lot to deal with right now. But her conversation with Molly kept rolling around in her head.
Joci said Keith, our biological father, used to get mysterious calls at all times of the day and night, and then he would disappear for a while.
At least he hadn’t disappeared. Yet. But Greg had gotten weird calls just before she caught him cheating. She didn’t want to think of Gunnar cheating on her, but these calls were starting to get on her nerves.

“So, these friends of yours, were they also friends of Greg’s?” Gunnar flicked a gaze at Emma.

Emma took another sip of the strong coffee in her hand and smirked. “No, they hated Greg. Thought he was an asshole. I don’t know why I didn’t see it sooner. I guess it was just easier to stay than to leave—until he cheated on me, that is. These are friends I met when I first moved to Chicago. Grace lived across the hall from me for a few years and we became friends right away. She met Steve and they moved into a different apartment. Then there’s Trey and Jon. I met Trey at work; he’s a paralegal too, and I met Jon when Trey met him and they started dating.”

Gunnar thought about that for a while. He was a nervous wreck today. He was usually pretty confident in himself. But meeting Emma’s friends was important. If they didn’t like him, they would let her know, and that could make her think less of him. Especially since they had all hated Greg and told her about it. If they didn’t like Gunnar, she might find it necessary to listen to them this time.

Watching the look crossing his face, Emma chuckled. “They’re going to love you, Gunnar. You’re nothing like Greg.”

Gunnar glanced over at Emma and saw her grin. He nodded his head once and watched the road ahead of him.

Emma sat up and slid her left foot under her right leg on the seat and twisted her body so she was looking at Gunnar.

“Do you think Janie would have thrown that Molotov into Ron and Ashley’s window?”

Gunnar’s brows furrowed. “I really don’t know, Em. I’ve told you, I don’t know her or anything about her. And how would she know where they live?”

Emma’s face scrunched up, “From hospital records. She knew I was living there with them. We talked about it when Tyler was born.”

Gunnar’s eyebrows rose as he thought about it. “I don’t know what to say. I guess we should tell Uncle Tommy about her so he can take a look at where she was when the fire started.”

As they drove into Chicago, the GPS woke Emma. She opened her eyes to see they were close to the hotel. She stretched and looked over to see Gunnar watching her breasts as she stretched.

“You have a one-track mind.”

He snorted, “You’re the one sticking her tits out. Not my fault I enjoy the view.”

Emma grinned and sat up straighter.

“So…this hotel. Do I want to know why you know about it? It isn’t special in some way, is it?”

Emma giggled. “Yup, pretty special. I’ve had some great times there.”

“Fuck.”

Emma laughed out loud. “Gotcha. Jon is the manager at the hotel, and I’ve been there with him and Trey for parties in the past. Jon comps rooms when they’re available and I’ve stayed a couple of times after a party and once after Jon and Trey had an anniversary soiree.”

Resting on her elbows, Emma leaned over the console, offering Gunnar a full view of her fantastic cleavage due to her tank top slipping down. “I’ve never stayed there with Greg or any man for that matter—other than Jon and Trey.”

Gunnar glanced over at her. He looked at her cleavage and then back up to her eyes. He loved looking at both, but her eyes were mesmerizing. Deep brown eyes framed by thick black lashes.

“Okay.”

Gunnar turned the truck and trailer into the parking lot at the hotel, parking a distance away due to the length of the trailer. He and Emma jumped out of the truck and started walking towards the entrance. As soon as they were in step with each other, Emma wrapped her arms around Gunnar’s waist and squeezed him tight.

“Thank you again for helping me with this. I really appreciate it.”

Gunnar stopped, and facing Emma, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and squeezed her back.

“I meant it when I said you don’t have to thank me.”

“There you are. I was figuring you would be here soon.”

Emma turned with a smile on her face at the familiar voice. She ran forward and jumped into the arms of a man Gunnar hoped was Jon. He caught her easily and laughed with her as a slightly jealous Gunnar watched.

Emma turned as soon as the man set her down. “Gunnar, this is Jon. Jon, this is Gunnar.”

Gunnar walked forward and shook Jon’s hand. Jon had a nice firm handshake and sparkling blue eyes looking right into his. Tall and lean, Jon’s sandy brown hair shone in the sun as his perfectly tanned face split into a brilliant smile. Even Gunnar had to admit he was good-looking.

“It’s nice to meet you, Gunnar. Emma’s told us all about you and your family. I think our girl is smitten,” he said, winking at Emma.

“Nice to meet you. I’m afraid she hasn’t told me as much about you, but hopefully we’ll get to know each other better in the next day or so.”

“Count on it. Are you ready to check in?”

Emma and Gunnar both nodded as Jon walked them into the hotel. He took care of their check in and went outside with them to help them with their bags. Jon personally walked them up to their room and smirked as he opened the door. He stood back to let them walk in ahead of him and chuckled when he heard Emma shriek.

“Oh my God, this is beautiful!” She spun around, admiring the room.

“I upgraded you. I hope you enjoy this suite. It’s way popular with the newlyweds.”

Gunnar looked around the room and smiled down at Emma. “I don’t know. Do you think you can be comfortable here?” He unsuccessfully furrowed his brows and tried to frown.

“I’ll make do. You?”

Gunnar laughed. “I’ll make do, as well.”

Jon chuckled. “I’ll leave you two to freshen up and use the facilities. I have one more thing to take care of before I can leave. I’ll call Trey and have him head over to the storage facility.” With that, he ducked out of the room.

Gunnar gently grabbed Emma’s hand and began pulling her toward the bed when her phone rang. Gunnar ducked his head, plopped a kiss on her lips and nodded toward the bathroom as she pulled her phone from her back pocket.

“Hey, Grace. Where are you?”

“I’m at the mall. Where are you? I’m trying to decide between trying on another outfit or not.”

“Not. We just checked into the hotel and are leaving to go to the storage facility and start loading up my stuff. Jon is calling Trey and we’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

“Okay. I don’t need to spend any more money anyway. See you in about half an hour.”

Chapter Twenty

They heard squealing and both looked up in time to see Grace running toward the unit. “Brace yourself, babe,” Emma said to Gunnar with a smile on her face. She walked toward Grace and they hugged fiercely.

“I’ve missed you so damn much, Em.”

“I’ve missed you, too. Oh, look at you. You look so good.”

“Oh, I haven’t even shown you the best part of me. Look.” Grace opened her loose fitting sweater to a little bump on her belly. “I’m pregnant.” She squealed a bit louder.

“Oh my God, Grace.” Emma gently placed her hand on Grace’s belly gently and stared at her friend. “When are you due?”

“November. I found out about a month ago. We haven’t said anything to many people. I wanted to be through my first trimester before we said anything. But that’s officially tomorrow.”

Emma hugged Grace again. When they pulled away, Gunnar had walked over and Emma smiled at him and then Grace.

“Grace, this is Gunnar. Gunnar, this is Grace and baby,” she said motioning towards Grace’s barely-there baby bump.

Gunnar held out his hand only to have Grace slap it away and hug him instead. He chuckled as he pulled away and Grace looked up into his face with big eyes.

“Holy dimples. Shit, Em! He must get his way all the time with dimples like that.”

Emma threw her head back and laughed. “He does, but lucky for me he doesn’t abuse it.”

Steve, finally catching up with Grace, came forward and shook Gunnar’s hand. “Steve.”

“Nice to meet you. Gunnar.”

“Sorry guys, we aren’t trying to be rude,” Grace smirked.

“Yes, I could see you eyeing up Gunnar. Nice, babe.” Steve’s short business haircut gave the impression he held a professional job. His light tan slacks and button-up shirt finished the appearance, but the easy smile and quick wink at Gunnar removed the stuffy impression and put Gunnar at ease.

Grace smacked his shoulder. “I wasn’t eyeing him up. Besides, I doubt he does knocked-up girls.” She smirked. “Right?”

Gunnar shrugged as they turned to a car approaching. Emma grabbed Gunnar’s hand and pulled him over to meet who he assumed was Trey.

A tall, broadly built man got out of his Lexus with a smile on his face for Emma. He leaned down and pulled her in for a hug and reached quickly for Gunnar as soon as Emma released him. “Gunnar, this is Trey. Trey, Gunnar.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries and decided to get a move on. Three hours later, the storage unit was cleaned out, the trailer was locked, and they all agreed to go home, shower, change, and meet at the hotel for dinner. Trey and Jon followed Gunnar and Emma to the hotel. Jon was letting Gunnar park the trailer in their large storage garage behind the hotel so no one would break into the trailer or damage it in any way.

“Gunnar?” Emma shoved at him, sound asleep and snoring after several strong drinks last night. The beeping sound of his phone felt like a spike being driven into her skull. Note to self, stop drinking at four drinks. Maybe three, but for sure four.

“Gunnar. Please.”

“Hmm.” Gunnar rolled over and pulled Emma into his body.

“No. Gunnar, turn your phone off. The damn thing is splitting my head in two.”

Running a hand down his face, Gunnar reached over to the nightstand and grabbed his phone. The beeping signaled a text message. Gunnar hit the button to stop the insufferable noise and tossed his phone back on the table.

Emma sat up and rubbed her temples. “God. My head is banging like a drum. What time is it?”