Chapter 13

After Dash and Rachel left. Gunner decided he wanted to drink a little more. Kaleb and his girlfriend found another table to suck each other's faces. My clock read nine-thirty. I was wasting time here. I wish Dash told me the name of the cop I would have seen him myself.

His last mission must be significant because he left without a second thought. While Gunner was at the bar I slipped out of the table and left the bar.

I had a shift at noon to prepare for anyway. I wanted to know if Mr Dean was okay or if he had any more visits. Since Dash was gone I'd have to take the bus home.

"Zora!" Gunner called.

I kept walking but he was a wolf and was faster than me.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Home. You can stay and drink I have work at noon."

"No, I promised to take care of you."

"I don't need it. I'm not your favourite play toy anymore."

He chuckled nervously. "Don't pay attention to her."

"So you never said it?" I folded my arms and smirked.

"I may have. We got super wasted. I'd still like for you to be my play toy, Zora." His wolf flashed in his eyes. He backed me against a car.

"I know a few games we can play." Gunner ran his nose down my throat and rested his face on the opening of my shirt. His massive body pinned me against the car. His body radiated heat that made me weak.

"Gunner," it came out in a soft moan.

"Yeah, baby tell me everything you want. I'll make your wish come true."

I battled against the dominating feeling to give in.

"Please take me home," I said rapidly.

"What?" Gunner froze.

"You said you'd make my wish come true."

"Well, can't you think of anything better?"

I giggled. "Take me home, okay?"

He grumbled and opened the door behind me. "Fine get in."

He climbed in on the other end. "What were you doing with Dash anyway?"

"We're friends. We were hanging out."

"What type of friends?" Gunner demanded.

"Careful, you sound jealous, Gunner."

He glanced at me and grinned. "So what if I am? Shifters have a jealous nature that includes Dash's friend Rachel."

I swallowed. "Were they involved?"

Gunner nodded. "You can say that. She-wolves are territorial regardless."

"Good to know," my voice cracked.

A little while later we arrived at the mansion. I needed to get the grass trimmed and the trees pruned.

"Sure you don't want me to wait and drive you to work?" Gunner offered.

"My shift starts at noon."

He sighed. "I have a meeting."

"Thanks for the ride," I smiled.

He leaned against his seat and smiled. "You have gorgeous eyes."

He reached out and stroked my cheek. "I wish I told you that a long time ago."

"It might have been more effective than your other methods."

"I know something that'll work."

Dare I ask, "What?"

He leaned in when I didn't hesitate he leaned closer. His lips brushed against mine. A little stunned that Gunner kissed me, my eyes remained open. He deepened our kiss and pulled me closer. I shut my eyes and kissed him back. He ran his hand up my thigh and grabbed my hip.

"You taste better than I imagined," Gunner said against my lips.

I responded with a moan. Gunner chuckled, he left my lips and sucked my neck.

"Zora," Gunner moaned.

I raked my fingers through his hair and melted into him.

"You're so good," he said.

"And you're- Oh gosh!" I gasped.

"What?" Gunner pulled back.

"Gunner I have to go. I have to get ready for work."

He found my hand and squeezed. "I'll see you later right?"

I nodded. "We're always bumping into each other anyway."

He chuckled. He kissed me one more time and let me leave. I traced my lips as I walked up to my front door.

So that's what it feels like to kiss Gunner Sullivan.

***

I scanned the register when I got to work searching for any weird names. The good thing about living in a small town the visitors were always the same old suspects. He hadn't had visitors lately and the other guests had the usual visitors over. Mia's funeral was scheduled for this week on Friday.

I didn't want to attend I felt responsible for her death. It should have been me here. Maybe she would be alive. Despite knowing Mr Dean hadn't had visitors I went to check on him anyway. The one time the poor man has someone to visit him they only want to intimidate him.

I knocked and entered. I found him rocking on his chair by the window. He smiled when he saw me which must mean he's having a good day.

"Good afternoon! Lovely day to be outside, isn't it?" He asked.

Since Mia's death, the elderly have been avoiding their strolls but I couldn't turn down the sweet old man's smile. We got him into a wheelchair and wheeled him outside.

"It feels like I haven't been outside in ten years. Why is it so empty today?" He asked.

I bit my lip. He didn't remember Mia's death.

"Well there was an incident and no one wants to be outside right now plus there's a bingo game on at two."

Mr Dean nodded. "Yes, the young girl's murder. Any news?"

So he recalls that too.

"Not yet, but the pack's been pretty unstable recently."

"I think I know why."

"You do?" I stopped wheeling him near an oak tree.

I walked to his front so I could meet his eyes.

"Does anything have to do with the Pandora?"

His forehead wrinkled. He looked over his shoulder and up towards the home.

"You shouldn't know anything about that child. It's a dangerous thing many people have ended up dead."

"I heard the man who visited you ask about it. I think he wants me dead now."

"You've got to be careful then. Stop coming here."

"Wherever I run he'll find me, Mr Dean. What's a Pandora?"

"It's an object. A powerful one, no one knows where it's hidden. There's supposed to be a map and that's what people are after."

"The man who visited you wants the map too, right?"

Mr Dean nodded. "I don't know where the map is, I'm telling you. There's a place that carries a lot of information. I never got the chance to go because I was put here."

"Where is it? I could check it out for you."

He looked at the building again. "Do you have a pen and paper?"

I pulled out my phone instead and waited for Mr Dean to give me an address.