Gunn(Bayou Springs Alien Mail Order Brides #2)(3)

 

Fifty years ago, a small but significant group of Azurites migrated to our planet. It had been a peaceful place, rich with vegetation, clean water, and plenty of wildlife. But that all changed when a fleet of their ships blew up and poisoned our air with toxic gasses. We'd had no choice but to leave, and that's how we ended up on Earth. Unfortunately, the Azurites had followed us.

 

Over the last ten years, more of them had left the planet Azure and had quietly migrated to our adopted planet. There hadn't been any more explosions, but they had slowly but surely started to infiltrate the local governments. And we'd learned they were a power-hungry group who took whatever they wanted, by any means possible. That was bad enough, but worse, we'd learned the Azurites had taken to feeding off the energy of human women like a drug. Or, in the case of Azurite-human hybrids, as a sort of 'fountain of youth' to extend their life expectancy. And because of that, many women were being oppressed in Azurite controlled cities. Audrey had made it her mission to save as many as she could. And I'd be damned if I sat back and did nothing. Whatever help she needed, she'd get.

 

"Gunn, is that true?" Theresa asked me, her eyes narrowed and full of suspicion.

 

"It's not what you think-" My gaze landed on the person who'd stepped up just behind Audrey, rendering me speechless. My heart skipped a beat, and my explanation got caught in my throat.

 

"Hello, Gunn," Kennedy said, her voice quiet and a little shy, not at all like the girl I remembered.

 

"Kennedy?" I asked stupidly. "What are you doing here?"

 

Her expression went blank, and she turned to Audrey. "Didn't you tell him?"

 

Audrey gave her a half-shrug. "I thought we'd surprise him."

 

"Dammit, Audrey," Kennedy said, the familiar fire sparking in her deep blue eyes. "You could've warned him."

 

"And miss out on that priceless look on his face?" She winked conspiratorially at Kennedy before turning back to me and slapping her hand on the counter. "Give me a Nebulizer."

 

I gaped at Audrey then scowled. "Get it yourself."

 

She raised one perfectly groomed eyebrow. "Testy aren't you? I thought you'd be happy to see the love of your life walk back through those doors and not only just return, but return ready to marry you."

 

"Love of your life?" Theresa said, more curious now that angry. "You mean to tell me there's a woman on this earth who's managed to get past the playboy exterior?"

 

"No," I said, my scowl deepening. "She's not the love of my life. She's just someone I used to date a long time ago." If Kennedy had been more, we'd have formed a tangible bond; one where we could sense each other's energy. Like Zeke and Opal had. But we hadn't. We'd just been two stupid kids who'd fooled ourselves into thinking we were soul mates.

 

I turned and stared at Kennedy. Raw pain flashed in her eyes, echoing the sharp stab in my chest, and I had to force myself to not jump over the bar and wrap her in my arms. The last thing I needed was to let her shred my heart again. I steeled myself and spewed out words I knew I'd instantly regret. "I always wondered how long it'd take for you to come running back. What happened? Were those city boys not quite man enough for you?"

 

That pain in her expression instantly turned to anger. She opened her mouth, no doubt to spit out a retort, but Audrey cut her off.

 

"Gunn! That's quite enough." The small woman pointed one finger at me and jerked her head toward the back door as she wrapped her hand around Kennedy's forearm. "Meet us at the house," she said, casting me a disgusted glance as she pulled Kennedy from the bar. "There are things to discuss. In private."

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"Shit," I muttered as I watched them disappear out the back door.

 

Theresa cleared her throat, reminding me she was still sitting there.

 

"Sorry about that." I stared at the spot Kennedy had just occupied, still seeing her there in my mind. "I guess it's safe to say tonight probably isn't going to work out."

 

"No. It isn't." She stood and tilted her head as she studied me, her expression contemplative.

 

"What?"

 

She gave me a small, almost regretful smile. "Now I get it."

 

"Get what?" I asked, hearing the impatience in my tone.

 

With a small shake of her head, she chuckled. "I always wondered why a guy with such a nurturing heart was determined to stay unattached." She glanced over my shoulder, eyeing the back door and waved a hand. "Now I know."