Gunner (K19 Security Solutions 2)

“I’ll talk to Doc.”

—:—

“Got a minute?” Gunner asked Doc, who was sitting on one of the sofas seemingly staring at nothing. No one else was around. Gunner wondered where they’d all gone, but now wasn’t the time to ask.

Doc nodded and motioned for Gunner to sit down.

“I know I fucked everything up today, but there’s still an op that needs to be carried out. At least I hope there is.”

“Nothing has changed Gunner.”

“How’s Pimm?”

“You’re not quite as deadly as you seem to think. He needed a handful of stitches, but you didn’t do any permanent damage.”

“Maybe not to his body…” he mumbled.

“There isn’t a man on our team who hasn’t been where you were this afternoon. The difference is to what degree. You and Pimm will figure this out. Maybe not right away, but eventually.”

“What about Shiv?”

“He’s pissed, but he’s also operating under the same stresses you are.”

“Kuznetsov? How come I’m the only one who knew nothing about her?”

“You aren’t, and it was by design. The bounty on her head is twice that of Raketa’s.”

“She wouldn’t give her up.”

Doc nodded, as though the news wasn’t a surprise.

“Do you believe Petrov is in Manzanita?” Gunner asked.

“Could be a trap.”

“She got another call.”

Gunner told him, word for word, what the caller said. Before he finished his sentence, he had a theory.

“How much do you know about Evasov.”

“Onyx and Monk are putting together a file as we speak.”

“What about Razor?”

“What about me?” he asked, coming downstairs with Ava behind him.

Gunner stood and walked over to her. “Long time, no see,” he said. He’d always have a soft spot in his heart for Razor’s wife, and by the look on her face, she felt the same way.

“I heard you had a rough day.”

“Pimm did. I didn’t.”

Ava led him back over to the sofa and sat down next to him. “I know you better than that, Gunner.”

“To be honest, I’ve never felt more ashamed.” The words were meant for Ava’s ears only, but he’d make the same confession to Doc and Razor.

“What do you want to eat, Avarie?” Razor asked from the doorway to the kitchen.