Gunner: The Hacker's Code Read online

CHAPTER 2

  Gunner helped Nay climb onto his bike behind him. A black backpack strapped over her narrow shoulders held her laptop. Her red helmet bobbled on her head, attempting to hang over her eyes. He had tightened the strap as far as it would go, but she still looked like a bubblehead with it on. He wasn’t stupid enough to tell her that, however.

  “I’ve never been on a motorcycle before!” she yelled over the roar of his bike.

  He squinted as his sensitive earbuds reverberated from the loudness of her voice. She had no idea he could hear her whisper from five hundred feet away and that her attempt to make herself be heard over the bike’s engine was like clapping cymbals next to his head.

  Gunner glanced over his shoulder. “Well, then, I guess you’re in for a treat. Hold on tight.”

  Her arms wrapped around him, and she slid forward on the seat, her thighs hugging his. The pertness of her breasts dug into his back, through his shirt. He revved the bike, kicked it into gear, and shot off.

  She squeaked, and her hands fisted together in front of him. He grabbed them to make sure she didn’t slip free. They were small and warm, the skin soft.

  Gunner twisted the bike through the small streets of the neighborhood. Each bump made him more aware of just how well-endowed she was. Every time he took off from a stop, her legs clamped tighter to his.

  Shit. I’m enjoying this way too much.

  When they finally made it to Charleston Boulevard, traffic prevented them from moving at the pace he preferred—fast and faster—so he moseyed down the busy street. Eventually, Nay relaxed against him, and his brain finally got off the subject of her body and onto thoughts of her sister.

  He wondered why the cops had told her to back off. Knowing Nay, she probably didn’t. He’d seen her play with the other boys. Nay was a fighter to the dogged end. It was something he admired about her.

  A car cut him off, and he clamped down on the brakes, causing his bike to tilt sideways. Nay gasped, and Gunner shot his arm backward and wrapped it around her, getting his bike under control with the other hand still gripped to the handlebars.

  Fucking Vegas drivers. Never look over their damn shoulder before changing lanes.

  A few seconds later, after they readjusted and the opportunity presented itself, Gunner put on the gas and circled around the offending vehicle. As they passed it, he stuck his left hand out, giving the car the bird as they passed.

  Nay’s trill of laughter floated to him, and she copied him. He smiled, enjoying himself for the first time in weeks. He made it past a group of vehicles and increased his speed until they reached Buffalo Drive. Gunner turned past the building, eyeing the parking lot to get an idea of who was there. The bookstore’s windows were dark and two vehicles were in the lot.

  He continued around the block, parking in a neighborhood where he didn’t see any cameras. Nay climbed off the bike. When Gunner stood, he studied her as she struggled with the helmet’s fastenings. His baseball hat came off with his helmet. He shook his head, pushed his bangs out of his face, and replaced the cap.

  Nay stomped her foot and shot him a glare. “Well, are you going to help me take this stupid thing off or just stare at me?”

  Gunner considered the question. He realized he wouldn’t mind watching her and enjoy the show, but she’d probably get pissed. “Lift your chin.”

  When her pointed chin raised, he reached for the fastening. His gaze roamed from her rounded lips, to her chin, and down her smooth neck where her pulse pumped in an even pattern. His Designation on the left side of his neck tingled, saliva pooled in his mouth, and his canines moved slightly downward.

  “Shit,” he said under his breath and he stepped away from her.

  “What’s wrong?” She stared up at him, a frown marring the bridge of nose.

  He almost lowered his lids, afraid his eyes were glowing as his powers stirred.

  You need to get yourself in check, Gun.

  “Nothing. I caught a hangnail on the strap.” He clamped his jaw in an effort to get himself under control.

  I think it’s been too long since I’ve been laid.

  He calculated the date in his head.

  Yeah. Way too long.

  Gunner moved forward again, this time forcing his gaze to stay on the buckle. It finally snapped free, and he pulled the helmet from her head. Her hair, filled with static, crinkled and stuck up in the air.

  “Great,” she muttered, lifting her hands and smoothing the lengths.

  He locked the helmets to his bike and examined the area. “You up for jumping a few walls?”

  Nay shrugged.

  Gunner tilted his head. “There are some basic rules. First, don’t touch anything unless I say it’s okay to touch it. Okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Secondly, you walk exactly in my footsteps. No straying. No dillydallying. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  “Follow me,” he said, and he swiveled around, staying to the dappled shadows cast by the streetlights through the trees. Gunner scanned the houses to make sure no one peeked out of their windows. He entered a yard, hugging the cinderblock wall until they reached a gate.

  Gunner checked the gate and, finding it unlocked, tripped the latch. The metal protested with a loud screech when he pulled it open and he froze. Nay’s stilted breaths reached his ears. Forcing his hearing beyond the distracting girl behind him, he listened for any hint the gate had drawn any attention. When silence greeted him, he opened the gate slowly, only far enough so they could slip through.

  He edged into the backyard and peeked around the corner of the house. The vacant area had no signs of animals, and no movement came from inside the windows. Gunner could make out the sounds of a TV from somewhere within the home, but nothing else. He glanced over his shoulder at Nay. She huddled against the wall, her eyes like saucers.

  Gunner started up again, tiptoeing to the back wall. He peered over the top and saw the alley that ran behind the bookstore’s building. When he found no signs of cameras, he pivoted back to Nay, who was just behind him. He leaned over and cupped his hands. Nay blinked down at them. “Let’s go,” he whispered to her.

  She stepped into his palms. She was so light, her canvas covered foot barely registered. Gunner hefted her up, and she groped for the top of the wall. Once she had a good handhold, he pushed her up farther, and she lifted a slender leg over the top. He stood and she slipped, her behind swiping his chin. Gunner automatically brought up his hands. One caught her around the waist, while the other grasped her crotch.

  She gasped.

  Gunner lowered his eyelids. Crap. He adjusted his hand so it cupped her from behind instead. Careful not to use too much strength and send her careening over, he pushed her gently onto the top of the wall, and then followed her up. They both landed on the other side at the same time. “You okay?”

  She nodded, her face pink in the light shining from the street at the end of the alleyway.