“No, actually that wasn’t what I was going to say, but I’m sure that didn’t help things,” I agreed. “Where I think you went wrong is all the way back at the club when we went to bring her back home. It was obvious she was having a good time, but you had to charge in and chase her out of there before she was ready. Then there’s the fact you still have yet to apologize.”
Ryker’s jaw dropped as he looked at me with the most stunned expression. “She expects me to apologize?”
Gunner burst out laughing. “Oh God, you’re never going to fix this if you don’t even realize that’s your number one problem.”
“Why the fuck are you even here, G-Man, or didn’t you hear that no one likes you?” Ryker grumbled.
Gunner just shrugged. “This is my effort to prove to her she’s wrong.”
“Yeah…” I mused aloud. “She’s not. Wereallydon’t like you for many, many reasons.”
“What the hell, man? I haven’t done anything to you guys. You can’t hate me,” Gunner shot back. “It’s because you’re jealous I get more attention from the boss since I’m so good at my job.”
I whipped a hand from behind my head and pointed at him. “That right there, what you just said, is what we fucking hate about you. It’s important for the boss to be pleased with our work, but you don’t need to crawl so far up his ass. You’re as high up the food chain as you’re going to get. Astin is the underboss and then there’s us… where else do you think you’re going to climb to?”
This is the part of Gunner I really couldn’t figure out—he’d reached the top of the ladder. Just be happy with that and do what’s asked of you. People would kill, literally, to be where we are right now, so why couldn’t he be happy with that?
“What are you talking about? I’m perfectly happy with my place in the Caprioni Empire. Why would you think I want more?” Gunner asked, the look on his face told me he was truly confused by my question.
Luca leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he stared Gunner down. “You’re shitting me. Is it possible you’re fucking clueless as to how you come across to everyone around you?”
“Clearly not since I’m asking,” Gunner retorted.
“Damn, that really sucks for you. Have you ever had friends in your life?” I asked, feeling like this couldn’t be the first time he’s encountered situations like this.
Gunner shifted in his seat, pulling at his shirt sleeves, clearly not liking the question. “No, not really. My mother used to say it was because my brilliance and work ethic intimidated them.”
Laughter erupted from me at his words. I laughed so hard I started to cry as I nearly fell off the couch in my hysterics. “Oh fuck me sideways, you’re mother gaslighted you so good that you still believe her to this day. I bet all the money I have in the bank she inflated that ego to where it is today. Let me guess, did you get gold stickers for everything you did? What about a participation award even if you fucking sucked?”
Gunner shot to his feet, glaring at me. “Don’t you dare talk about my mother like that… she’s a saint.”
“That’s impossible, only the Pope can label someone a saint, and that happens after they’ve died. Is your mother currently living?” Atticus asked.
Gunner blinked at him a moment then shook his head. “Yes, my mother is still decidedly alive and in perfect health.”
“Then she’s not a saint,” Atticus clarified.
“It’s a figure of speech,” Gunner explained, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “It just means she’s a person of pure intention such is the manner of saints.”
Atticus opened his mouth. I’m sure to correct something else he said, but Gunner raised a hand to stop him. “No, enough, Atticus. My mother is a single parent and raised three of us after my father was killed in the military. Think what you like of me, but I won’t allow you to speak ill of her.”
Ryker walked up to Gunner and patted him on the shoulder. “We get it now, man. Braxton can be an ass, but no one really thinks bad about your mom. Take a deep breath and maybe think about what we’ve all said. Our perception of you is that all you want is more power and recognition, but the guy I just saw stand up for his mom is someone I wouldn’t mind so much. Loyalty is something we all understand, but so far, all we’ve seen is a tendency to look out for only yourself.”
Gunner seemed to deflate a little at Ryker’s words, but they were the truth. The idiot might not be able to see the truth about his actions, but he could read people like none other.
“Yeah, all right, I’ll think about what you guys said. Have fun tonight. I’ve got some things to work on to get the testing done on the property,” Gunner said as he nodded to us and left the room.
“Seems we’re dropping truth bombs all over the place,” I said with a chuckle. “You got anything to share with us, Luca?”
Luca looked at me then shrugged. “Guess I should just say I wouldn’t say no if Astin invited me to her bed.”
“I’m shocked. Do you see this face, complete and utter shock,” I deadpanned. “Jace told me all about you calling him out at the gym, and your added information about… how did she put it? Oh yeah, the status of your dicks.”
“We had a moment, and who knows, I might have been able to talk my way into her shower if cockblock over here didn’t butt in,” Luca commented, giving Ryker a sideways glance.
Ryker crossed his arms and scowled at us. “You’re all dicks, you know that? I can’t believe you guys would do this to me.”
“Bro, a woman that powerful can have whatever or however many men she wants,” Jace reasoned. “Maybe you need to adjust your logic and be open to sharing. Astin’s been trapped in hiding for the first quarter of her life, so she’s not gonna be looking to settle down until she’s lived a little.”