Page 23 of Brick (Chosen Few #5)

W alking away from Natalie while hot and heavy was enough to make his cock explode.

His junk ached as he moved down the hall to the front door.

After pausing to look out the window and confirm it was Zain and Taschen, he unlocked the door.

“Thanks for coming,” he said, as he stepped back to let his friends inside.

“What took you so long?” Zain grumbled. “We were standing there for like five minutes.”

“Shh,” Brick snapped. “Bray’s sleeping.”

Taschen winced. “Sorry.”

He jerked his head toward the living room and the guys followed him to where Natalie waited.

Her gaze jumped to his face the second he entered the room. Her cheeks were stained pink and her hair was a little messy. Her plump lips told the story of his kisses, but the uncertainty in her rounded eyes spoke a different tale.

His insides bunched. Dammit. Was she upset he’d acted on the attraction between them? No way he’d read that wrong. Her plea still rang in his ears: I want this.

“Hey, how’s the little guy holding up?” Taschen asked, as he sat in the love seat across from Natalie.

Some of the angst left Natalie’s face. “He’s good. I’m sure he’s confused and unsettled, but he seems to be handling things better than I hoped.”

Taschen nodded. “Well, he’s lucky to have you.” He shot his gaze to Brick. “You, too, shitbrick.”

Zain snorted.

Brick rolled his eyes. “Just keep them safe while I’m gone. Anything happens to either of them and I’ll shoot you in the head myself.”

Taschen grunted, but his eyes darkened with shame. Maybe Brick had overstepped with the comment, which referenced the time Taschen got shot in the head while watching Gigi. But he’d meant it. He wouldn’t be able to face himself if something happened to Natalie and Bray.

He’d just have to trust Taschen with his life—with his family.

“You ready to go?” Zain asked. He stood near the doorway of the living room, and his body language screamed his anxiousness to get the show on the road. He probably wanted to get back to Seattle and Dana sooner rather than later.

“Lemme get my vest on.” Brick made his way to the stairs and quietly ascended.

The floorboards creaked when he reached the second level.

The door to the main bedroom sat partway open, but Brick headed to the office at the end of the hall, where he’d left his AR-15, bulletproof vest, and comm device, wanting to keep everything as far away from Bray as possible and in the one room with a lock on the door.

The only weapon he’d kept accessible was the Glock he always carried, but he’d ensured it stayed out of the two-year-old’s reach.

He took off his T-shirt and put on the vest, then pulled the shirt back over his head. After sticking the earpiece in the pocket of his jeans, he scooped up his rifle. He left the office and paused at the top of the stairs, his gaze fixated on the main bedroom.

His heart twisted. How was it possible to fall in love so quickly? He’d never known unconditional love, but hell, when he looked at Bray’s big brown eyes, when he heard his ridiculous laugh...

He knew without a doubt he’d kill for the kid.

He’d also live for him.

As sure as he was that nothing would take him away from Bray, he couldn’t leave for battle, even one that paled in comparison to war, without one last look at his boy. He moved soundlessly toward the bedroom and eased open the door the rest of the way.

Light from the hall sent shafts across the carpet and illuminated the bed.

Bray lay on his side. His body looked so small beneath the fluffy duvet.

Brick got closer and knelt beside the bed.

The little boy’s lips were slightly puckered, and his curls spilled around his angelic rosy cheeks. So damn sweet.

He placed his hand on Bray’s head and gingerly pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I love you, little man,” he whispered. “I wish I could tell you that when you’re awake. When you’re ready. But I promise, I’ll always be here. Night, buddy.” He stood and stared down at the tiny sleeping form.

Fresh anger filled him.

Bray hadn’t asked for the hand he’d been dealt. He deserved his father. He deserved a family. And as far as Brick was concerned, Keetan was the one who’d stolen this from him.

And he’d damn well pay. Right fucking now.

***

Natalie wrapped her arms tighter around her as the stairs creaked.

Brick entered the room armed to the nines.

Though he hadn’t changed his clothes, his demeanor screamed war.

The outline of a bulletproof vest beneath his shirt made him appear even more stacked and menacing.

A rifle hung loosely in his grip. “Ready?” he said to Zain.

Her belly flipped.

All this was for her. The men taking up the living room, the weapons, and the determination in Brick’s face. He looked hungry for murder, and she couldn’t fathom the consequences of killing a cop.

She couldn’t let Bray’s father get put away. Not when they’d just found him. Despite her still-weak legs, she stood. “Can we talk for a sec?”

“Sure.” He jerked his head at the guys.

Taschen stood and followed Zain down the hall toward the front door. Brick stepped closer to her, catching her fingers in his. “You and Bray are safe. I wouldn’t leave if I thought otherwise.”

She rolled in her lips and stared down at their joined hands. In such a short time, Brick had become someone she could rely on. Geez, who was she kidding? She probably could have relied on him three years ago, but she’d been too scared to tell him everything—too ashamed of her past.

And they’d all paid the biggest price.

Tears flooded her eyes and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth as she tried to find the right words.

“Hey.” Brick placed the gun on the end table next to the couch and brought his hand up to cradle her cheek. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t want you to do this,” she blurted. “Bray just met you. If something happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”

He tilted her face so their gazes met. “Do you think I’d let anyone stand between my son and me? Between you and me?”

The wind left her lungs. Electricity arced through the air, and his brown eyes scorched her with promise. Commitment. She compressed her trembling lips as her brain once again fumbled words.

“Natalie, I know we’ve got a lot to figure out between the three of us. But I’m here for the long haul. That means I’ve got to settle this thing with Keetan.”

“If you kill him, you’ll go to jail.”

“I’ll handle it.”

One of the guys cleared his throat. She closed her eyes and swallowed. “Please be careful.”

He brushed his lips over her forehead. “Always. I’ve got too much to live for now.” He pulled back a fraction to meet her gaze again. “Wait up for me. We’re gonna finish what we started before those fuckheads got here.”

She smirked. “I guess that’ll motivate you to return.”

His eyes darkened, and he brought his mouth down to meet hers. The warmth of his lips made her surge to her toes. She gripped his wrist, and desire flared in her loins. Another impatient cough sounded from the front door.

She peeled her mouth from his, breathless. “I think Zain wants you.”

“I’ll kill him,” Brick muttered. He pecked her on the nose and backed away. “I mean it—don’t go to sleep yet.” He winked, snagged his rifle, and made his way to the front door.

Her heart hammered against her breast, and a shrill warning screeched in her head. The front door closed. She heard the lock snap into place, and then Taschen sauntered back into the living room.

He looked at her and grimaced, as if reading every stitch of her pain. “Don’t worry. He’s too annoying to die.”

She snorted and wiped the moisture from beneath her eyelids, then sat on the couch. “One could say the same about you,” she shot back. Okay, so she didn’t know Taschen from Tom, but if he was going to take a jab at her man—

Her breath hitched. Was she wrong to hope she and Brick had a future?

Taschen snickered. “That’s what they all say.” He ran a hand over one of the scars on his head. “I’m kidding. Brick’s a stand-up guy.” His tone became serious, gentle. “He’ll be a great dad.”

She nodded. “I can see that already.” She drew her knees onto the couch. “Brick mentioned you have a baby on the way?”

He grinned proudly. “Sure do. Sephie’s finally in the second trimester. It was rough in the beginning.”

She winced with sympathy. “I was sick with Bray, too. Sephie was lucky to have you there.” A wave of jealousy crashed against her—not toward Taschen’s expecting wife, but because she hadn’t had Brick beside her during those rough weeks.

Or during the joyful, happily terrifying moments either. She’d have traded Keetan’s snide, abusive ways for anything if she hadn’t been so stupidly afraid.

“I’m the lucky one,” he said, his eyes dancing.

She tilted her head. “I’m sorry they brought you here. I’m sure you’d rather be back in Seattle right now.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “It’s part of the job. I’m grateful Toth and Rami are so flexible. Hopefully this will all be wrapped up in the next day or two.”

She shrunk into the couch cushion. “I’m not holding my breath. Keetan is like a snake. He’ll make life hell until his last breath.”

Taschen’s lips twitched. “That could be sooner rather than later.”

“Momma!” Bray’s wail jolted her from her seat.

“Excuse me.” She made her way out of the room and jogged up the stairs. Bray’s sobs continued. “I’m coming honey,” she called.

His cries died down once he heard her voice. She pushed open the bedroom door and her gaze landed on her son. He was kneeling on the large bed. The hall light illuminated his tousled curls and wet cheeks.

“Hey, baby. Momma’s here.” She climbed onto the bed, and his little arms latched around her neck. She kissed his forehead and murmured reassuring words.

Settling on the pillow, she drew the blanket around them both. In less than a minute, Bray’s body relaxed and he was fast asleep again. She kissed his plump cheek, wiped his lingering tears, and gathered him close to her chest.

Sadness clenched her throat. He’d woken as if in a trance. Probably a nightmare. Which she’d expected after the trauma he’d endured. Just being separated from her would have been damaging enough.

Hate scorched her veins.

Screw Keetan. He deserved to suffer. And she had no doubt Brick would deliver a generous amount of tribulation.

But worry cinched her muscles. She needed Brick to come home.

For both of them.

***

“What’d you find out?” Brick asked Zain, as they hit the interstate. It was almost 8:30p.m., and the September sky was dark.

“Fucker’s at home. Chillin’ like he didn’t just take a kid from his mother.”

“He must’ve got the message from Justin by now.” Brick’s mouth twitched as he imagined Keetan receiving the news that Brick had taken back his son. He couldn’t wait to watch the bastard flounder as the next part of his sick plan was shot to hell.

Whatever flimsy evidence he thought he had against Natalie.

“You mentioned Keetan has a recording we need to get back.”

“That’s right.”

Zain stroked his dark beard. “Care to elaborate?”

Brick sighed. It was Natalie’s business. He didn’t want to share her personal story. But given that she was wanted on suspicion of manslaughter, he might have to offer his friend some context.

“Keetan’s sister died a decade ago. Natalie was there at the time of her death.”

Zain stopped at a red light and flicked his gaze toward Brick. “You telling me the murder accusation is true?”

“No,” he snapped. “She didn’t kill his sister,” he added, with emphasis.

Zain lifted one hand off the steering wheel, palm out in surrender. “Fine. Just checking. But you realize a recording wouldn’t be enough to incriminate her anyway.”

“I know. I’m sure it wouldn’t hold up in court. But it doesn’t matter. He’s been lording this over her for years. Even if it’s not enough to lock Natalie up, it would be enough to devastate her if it got out.”

“All right.”

“I don’t want that sonofabitch having a single tie to Natalie and Bray. Nothing that he could use to—” He snapped his mouth closed.

“To get them back?” Zain offered, his voice gruff but understanding.

“To hurt them,” Brick countered. Or to get them back.

“Fair enough. You and Natalie seem... cozy. Think there’s still something there?”

Brick shifted uncomfortably. He’d already told Natalie he wouldn’t let anything come between them. They still had a lot to figure out, however. Shit that could make or break whatever was starting.

“I want to be in their lives,” Brick finally answered. “We don’t know what that’s gonna look like yet.”

“Will she move to Seattle?”

Brick blew out an exasperated breath. “Dude.” He didn’t stifle the bite in his tone. “I literally just found her yesterday—just met my son today. I hope she’ll move. I plan to do everything to help them if it’s something she’s willing to do, but we haven’t discussed it yet.”

“Sorry. Just trying to wrap my head around the idea of you having a kid. I mean that in the best way. It’s good.” A beat passed. “I could see you guys together. Happy and shit.”

Brick snorted. “Thanks. Appreciate it.”

“No problem. You ready to pound her ex’s face in?”

“Can’t fucking wait.”