Page 6 of Gunner (Iron Sentinels MC #3)

T he first thing Gunner noticed when he pulled into Dawn’s apartment complex was her car sitting lopsided in the lot. He cut the engine and swung his leg over the bike, his stomach tightening as he took in the damage.

All four of her tires had been slashed—deep, deliberate cuts meant to send a message. And if that wasn’t enough, a single note had been left on her windshield. One letter: J. There was no doubt in Gunner’s mind who was behind it. Jesse.

He curled his hands into fists as he fought the urge to tear across town, hunt the bastard down, and beat the ever-loving shit out of him. Instead, he forced himself to take a breath. Dawn didn’t need his anger right now. She needed reassurance.

He made his way up to her apartment and knocked. A moment later, she opened the door, her face tense. “Gunner?”

“Saw your car,” he said, stepping inside. “You okay?”

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I’m fine. Just pissed.”

Gunner shut the door behind him and crossed his arms. “This wasn’t random. Jesse did this.”

“I know.” She exhaled, rubbing her temples. “I should’ve seen this coming.”

“That’s exactly why I want to handle this.” His voice was rough, edged with the frustration he was barely keeping in check. “I need to loop in the club.”

“No,” she said firmly. “I can handle it.”

He gave her a look. “Handling it how, Dawn? You think the cops are gonna do something? They won’t. And Jesse’s only gonna keep pushing.”

She shook her head, her expression tight with worry. “I don’t want you getting caught up in this, Gunner. I can’t have this blowing back on you.”

His eyes darkened, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “That’s not your call.” He took a step closer, his voice dropping low, firm. “You really think I can just stand by and do nothing while some piece of shit stalks you? Slashes your tires? Sends you threats? Hell, no, Dawn.”

Her lips parted slightly, her gaze searching his. For a second, she looked like she might lean into him, might let him be the shield he was aching to be for her. But then she straightened, that stubborn fire in her eyes. “Just let me handle this my way for now.”

Gunner ground his teeth, everything in him rebelling against the idea of standing back while Jesse prowled around, unchecked. His fists curled at his sides, the urge to hunt the bastard down nearly overwhelming. But he respected her too much to bulldoze over her decision. Even if it killed him.

He blew out a slow breath, forcing his fingers to relax. “Fine. But the second this escalates, I’m handling it my way.”

Dawn hesitated, like she knew what that meant. Knew exactly what kind of man Gunner was. Finally, she gave a small nod. “Deal.”

But even as the word left her lips, he could see the worry flickering behind her eyes. And that only made him more certain that this wouldn’t be over until Jesse was handled for good.

Gunner forced himself to push Jesse out of his mind as Dawn led him into her apartment.

He didn’t want that bastard ruining their night.

Not when Dawn had gone out of her way to make things special.

The scent of something warm and savory filled the space, wrapping around him like an invitation to stay.

“Dinner’s almost ready,” she said over her shoulder, heading into the kitchen. “Make yourself at home.”

He watched her move, captivated by the natural sway of her hips, the way her hair slipped over her shoulder when she turned to check on whatever she had cooking.

Gunner had been with women before, plenty of them, but there was something different about Dawn. The way she pulled him in without even trying. The way he wanted to stay, not just tonight, but longer.

Shaking off the thought, he settled on a stool at the kitchen island, watching as she stirred something in a pot. “Didn’t take you for the cooking type.”

She glanced at him, smirking. “You don’t know everything about me yet.”

Yet . That word settled deep in his chest, warming something inside him. He liked the idea of learning more about her. About seeing all the sides of Dawn she didn’t show the world.

“Well,” he said, leaning his forearms on the counter, “color me impressed.”

She plated up their food—a rich, homemade pasta that had his stomach growling—and they sat at the small table, candles flickering between them.

It felt domestic in a way that should have made him uncomfortable. But it didn’t. Not even a little. They ate, talked, laughed. Dawn had a way of making even the simplest moments feel easy, like she wasn’t just tolerating his company but enjoying it. And damn, he enjoyed hers.

After dinner, they moved to the couch, her soft body pressing against his side as she curled up next to him.

Some action movie played on the screen, but he barely paid attention.

His focus was on Dawn—the way she smelled like something sweet and warm, the way her body felt so damn right tucked against his.

His arm rested along the back of the couch, his fingers grazing her shoulder lightly. Just enough to test the waters. When she didn’t move away, he let his fingers drift lower, tracing slow circles against her arm.

She shifted slightly, her breath hitching, and that was all the encouragement he needed. Gunner turned toward her, one hand reaching up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her gaze met his, something uncertain but wanting lingering in her dark eyes.

“Dawn,” he murmured, his voice rougher than intended.

She swallowed, her lips parting, but she didn’t say a word. Didn’t have to. He leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to stop him. When she didn’t, when she tilted her chin up just slightly, he closed the distance, pressing his lips to hers.

The kiss was slow, deliberate. Not rushed. He wanted to savor her, memorize the way she tasted, the way she melted into him.

Dawn curled her fingers into his shirt, tugging him closer, and he slid his hand to her waist, gripping her just enough to feel the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her top.

Heat flared between them, a slow burn threatening to turn into something wilder.

He trailed his fingers down her spine, pulling her flush against him, and she let out a soft sound that had every muscle in his body tightening.

But just as he was about to deepen the kiss, she pulled back, her breath shaky.

“I—” She licked her lips, looking up at him with a mix of want and hesitation. “I just ... I don’t want to rush this.”

He exhaled, forcing himself to dial back the hunger roaring inside him. He cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb along her jaw. “I’m not rushing you, sweetheart. But I’m not gonna lie—I want you.”

She let out a small laugh, a little breathless. “I kind of figured.”

He grinned, but then his mind shifted, darkening slightly. Because as much as he wanted to lose himself in her, he couldn’t shake the image of her slashed tires. Couldn’t ignore the nagging sense of unease in his gut.

Jesse wasn’t done. That much was clear. And Dawn, as stubborn as she was, had no idea what kind of man she was up against.

Gunner leaned in, pressing one last kiss to her forehead before pulling her back against his chest. “Get some rest,” he murmured, his hand rubbing small circles on her back. “I’ll stay until you do.”

Dawn didn’t argue. She let out a small sigh and relaxed against him. But even as he held her close, his mind stayed sharp.

Jesse had already made his move. And Gunner wasn’t about to wait around for the next one.

****

B ack at the clubhouse , tension simmered in the air. The Iron Sentinels had been dealing with their own set of problems lately, and tonight was no exception. The Rat Bastards MC had been getting bolder, encroaching on their turf and sniffing around their business.

Inside the meeting room, Gunner sat with Beast and the other senior members, discussing their next move.

“They’re testing us,” Beast said, his voice level but firm. “Pushing to see how far they can go before we push back.”

“We can’t just let them,” one of the guys said. “They’re already screwing with our shipments.”

“We won’t let them,” Beast assured him. “We’re just not making the first move.”

Gunner leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “We may not have to. Jesse’s been stirring shit up. If he keeps at it, he’s gonna give us a reason.”

“Who the hell is Jesse?” Beast asked, his tone edged with suspicion.

Gunner exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. “Some lowlife from the Rat Bastards,” he said. “He’s been harassing Dawn—slashed her damn tires last night.”

Beast’s gaze flicked to him, sharp and knowing. He wasn’t the kind of man who missed details, and right now, Gunner could tell he was seeing too much.

“That why you’re so worked up?” Beast asked, his voice deceptively calm.

Gunner clenched his jaw. He’d known Beast long enough to understand when the older man was fishing for something deeper, reading between the lines that Gunner wasn’t laying out in plain sight.

Beast didn’t wait for an answer. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “What’s going on, Gunner?” he pressed. “This about that girl?”

Gunner’s silence said more than words could.

Beast huffed out a breath, shaking his head. “Shit.” He eyed Gunner like he was sizing him up for a fight. “You really into her, huh?”

Gunner didn’t confirm or deny it, but the tightness in his shoulders, the way his fingers flexed restlessly against his jeans, made it obvious.

Beast cursed under his breath. “Listen, brother. You know how this life works. You get involved with her, and she’s in it, whether she likes it or not. That something you’re ready for?”

Gunner’s gut tightened. He didn’t need the reminder.

He knew exactly what kind of world he lived in—one where loyalty was everything—and enemies didn’t just come at you, they went after the people you cared about.

But the idea of walking away from Dawn, of leaving her to deal with Jesse on her own, was not an option.

“She’s already in it,” Gunner said, his voice like gravel. “Whether she likes it or not.”

Beast studied him for a long moment before shaking his head. “I’m telling you now, brother. Getting too involved with a woman right now is not smart. We’ve got enough on our plate.”

Gunner’s jaw tightened. “This isn’t just some woman.”

Beast’s lips curled into something close to amusement. “Oh, I know.”

Gunner didn’t respond. He didn’t need to.

The fact that he was even talking about Dawn like this spoke volumes.

He’d never given a damn about a woman beyond a night in his bed.

But Dawn had gotten under his skin. He couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Couldn’t stop wanting her. And he sure as hell wasn’t about to let Jesse, or anyone else, mess with her.

Beast let out a slow breath, his sharp gaze locked onto Gunner. “Just be careful, Gunner. Women like her have a way of changing a man.”

Gunner leaned back in his chair, rolling Beast’s words around in his head. He wasn’t a man who scared easy—he’d faced down rival clubs, taken bullets, and buried more brothers than he cared to count.

But the thought of Dawn having that kind of pull on him should’ve scared him. It didn’t. Instead, his mind drifted, unbidden, to images he had no business entertaining. Not just Dawn in his bed, tangled in his sheets, her bare skin pressed against his, but something more. Something deeper.

He pictured them in a home, maybe a place of their own.

Waking up to the warmth of her curled against him, her sleepy voice murmuring his name first thing in the morning.

Cooking breakfast together, her stealing a piece of bacon off his plate with a teasing grin.

Ending the day with her wrapped in his arms, the world shut out, knowing she was his and his alone.

The thought should’ve felt foreign, unnatural even, but it didn’t. It settled in his chest, solid and real, like it had been there all along, just waiting for him to see it.

Gunner smirked. “Maybe I don’t mind changing.”

Beast chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, we’ll see.”

But Gunner already knew Dawn wasn’t just some passing thing. She was something more and he wasn’t letting her go.