GUNNER
We catch up on the last year's events. Helena fills me in on the situation with her parents' debt, and I listen carefully to every word. She's learned to navigate legal waters I never could.
She went the legal route with help from Tyson's and Scooter's father's lawyers. Since she was a minor when her parents signed her as guarantor, and they actually forged her documents to say she was over eighteen, she didn't have to pay anything. The boss of the loan company got arrested with his associates for blackmail, kidnapping, assault and attempted murder. He got charged with other business crimes too, but Helena didn't bother finding out what. She's not interested in that world anymore.
Then we talk about her fights in Berkeley. In less than a year, she's already established her position in the underground ranks there. The girl's a natural fighter, always has been.
"Why do you keep fighting?" I ask.
"It's a way to release stress. And it pays better than a part-time job, so I can concentrate on studies without worrying about money."
Practical. That's Helena. Always thinking three steps ahead.
She also explains what happened last summer with Scooter leaving. I laugh hard at that story.
Apparently, Tyson took Scooter to train him. Wanted the kid to be able to get himself out of trouble. And since he's dating none other than Ghost, he can't bring shame to her reputation by being weak. Tyson's words, not Helena's. She expresses more than once how much the whole thing annoyed her. They had plans for the summer and her dad destroyed them.
But she got over it fast when Scooter's parents revealed they bought an apartment in Berkeley so the kids could live together. I'm genuinely surprised hearing that. Not many parents let their kids move in together straight out of high school. Must be nice having that kind of trust.
After that, Helena tells me about Cristy. She went to study medicine at University of California. She's been staying in San Francisco.
"I already reached out to the brothers from the SF Chapter of Iron Brotherhood to watch over her."
I sigh heavily in relief. Cristy's safe. And Helena notices, of course she does. The girl doesn't miss anything.
"You like Cristy?"
I sputter my drink, coughing hard.
"What?"
"Don't play dumb. I know there's something going on. I noticed it last year to be honest, but I thought you two would figure it out."
She leans back in her seat, crossing her arms.
"So, spill. What's going on?"
"Nothing."
I say it casually, but she just raises an eyebrow. Clearly not believing a word.
I sigh, defeated.
"You do like her, don't you?"
It's not even a question. She wants confirmation of what she already knows.
"Then go for it! Why are you hesitating?"
I'm about to answer when she continues.
"If you say 'age gap', I'll kick you in the balls."
She warns with a hard look, and I believe her completely.
"Oh God! It is, isn't it?!"
She sighs when I don't respond.
"I can't believe it. You're so damn stupid!"
She's angry now, genuinely angry.
"What are you talking about?"
"It's not for me to say. But you better figure your things out before Cristy gets here."
My heart stops.
"What do you mean by that?"
Panic in my voice, raw and obvious.
"She's staying at my house for the summer. But let me tell you this, if you hurt her, you'll have me to deal with."
I barely register Helena's words. One thought consumes my mind, drowning out everything else.
Cristy is back.
The compound suddenly feels different. The air tastes different. Everything has shifted on its axis and I'm spinning, trying to find my balance.
"When?" I manage to ask.
"She arrives tomorrow."
Helena watches me carefully, reading every micro-expression.
"And Gunner? Don't screw this up. She's been through enough."
"What do you mean?"
"Not my story to tell. But you need to know she's not some fragile thing you need to protect. She's stronger than you think."
Helena stands, finishing her whiskey in one swallow.
"Scooter will be here soon. I should go meet him."
She pauses, studying my face.
"Talk to her. Really talk to her. You might be surprised what you find out."
Then she's gone, weaving through the crowd toward the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the weight of what's coming.
Cristy. Here. Tomorrow.
I signal the prospect for another whiskey. This is going to be a long night.
Wolf slides back into the booth, grinning.
"Those girls are gone. Took their stuff and everything."
He pauses, looking at me.
"You alright, brother? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Yeah."
My voice sounds distant even to my own ears.
"Just thinking."
"About Helena's friend? That little blonde from last year?"
I glare at him, but he just laughs.
"Brother, everyone noticed. You weren't exactly subtle."
"It's complicated."
"It always is."
Wolf signals for his own drink.
"But you know what's more complicated? Doing nothing and regretting it for the rest of your life."
He's right. I know he's right. But knowing and doing are two different things.
The club pulses around us. Music, laughter, the clink of bottles. The Iron Brotherhood in full swing. This is my world, my kingdom. I've built this life from blood and loyalty and hard decisions.
But none of it means anything if I'm too scared to take what I want.
Tomorrow. Cristy arrives tomorrow.
I have less than twenty-four hours to figure out what I'm going to say. What I'm going to do. How I'm going to handle seeing her again after a year of torment.
The whiskey burns going down, but it doesn't touch the fire in my chest. Nothing does. Nothing except the thought of seeing those eyes again, hearing that voice, being in the same room as the girl who's been haunting me for twelve months.
"You're going to go for it, aren't you?"
Wolf asks quietly.
"I don't know."
"Yes you do. You've already decided. You're just scared."
I look at my brother, my VP, the man who's stood beside me through everything.
"What if I mess it up?"
"Then you mess it up. But at least you tried. At least you'll know."
He's right. God help me, he's right.
Cristy is back. And this time, I'm not letting fear make my decisions for me.
This time, I'm going to fight for what I want.