Page 28 of Brick (Chosen Few #5)

“A unt Owie!” Bray raced across the backyard and opened his arms for Ellie.

Natalie smiled as her sister picked up Bray and rained kisses on his cheeks until he giggled and squirmed to be let down before running back to race around the yard.

Natalie sat in a patio chair next to Brick while Ellie stood in the sun with her hands on her hips. While waiting for Ellie, the three of them had played outside. The warm sunshine—and Bray’s laughter—had rejuvenated her soul.

“It’s really nice here.” Ellie shielded her eyes to survey the backyard. “They even have a play structure. How fun.”

“Thanks for coming. He was so happy when I told him you were on your way.”

“I’m just so grateful he’s okay,” Ellie said wistfully. Her gaze went to Brick. “I have you to thank for that.”

“No thank-you necessary.”

“I guess not. But I’m happy you’re here. He deserves a great dad.” She sighed happily as a breeze rolled in and blew her dark hair across her cheek. Then her gaze zeroed in on Natalie. “You think this is a good idea? Turning yourself in?”

“She’s not turning herself in,” Brick said. “There’s no APB anymore.”

Ellie pinned her lips to the side. “I don’t trust it.”

Natalie chuckled. “You don’t trust the chicken at the grocery store but you still eat it.”

Her sister laughed and rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I won’t say I told you so.” The laughter left her voice. “In all seriousness, I’m just worried. This is Keetan’s workplace—I find it hard to believe this isn’t some ploy to get you there.”

Worry gnawed at Natalie’s insides. She knotted her fingers as her gaze drifted across the pretty green lawn to where Bray played with a stick in the dirt.

“I’m inclined to have the same concerns,” she finally said.

Slowly, she looked back at Ellie, whose eyebrows were pinched.

“But this has to end somewhere. Brick obtained solid intel that Keetan’s been suspended.

I just have to believe everything will work out. ”

Ellie nodded. “I get it. I won’t stop worrying, but I trust you both to make the right decision. We’ll be fine. Those scary-ass soldiers in there won’t let a fly in this house.”

Natalie laughed. “Nope. You’re stuck here till we get back.”

“Aunt Owie, push me,” Bray called, as he jumped up and down next to the swing. The backyard had been such a blessing. Bray had been outside most of the day, and Natalie suspected the only thing that’d get him back inside was food.

“Sounds good to me,” Ellie replied.

Natalie stood and embraced her sister. Ellie thanked Brick again, then the sisters walked to the swing arm in arm. Natalie gave Bray a kiss and told him she’d be back soon, but all he wanted was a push from his aunt.

She returned to Brick smiling despite her fear. “And now I’m chopped liver,” she said with a chortle.

Brick took her hand and led her into the house. “You’re not chopped liver. He’s just happy and that’s a good sign.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“That’s a positive way to look at it. I suppose if he were severely traumatized, he’d cling to my legs right now. Aunt Owie or not.”

They passed through the living room. Taschen sat on the couch and Zain paced, his gaze fixed on his phone. Everyone would be happier once they were on the return flight to Seattle—especially Taschen and Zain, who’d be going back to the women waiting for them.

Zain glanced up. “You’ll be good,” he said reassuringly. “No way Toth would give the go-ahead to send you in unless he knew for sure you were in the clear.”

Natalie forced a smile. “Thanks. I appreciate you both staying here with Bray and Ellie. I hope we won’t be long.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Taschen said. “Zain’s always in a rush, so ignore the worn carpet. Although if you guys are fine with it, we’ll probably fly back this evening.”

“Yup,” Brick said. “I’m sure we won’t need you. I’ll call when we’re on our way back.” He flicked his wrist to check the time. “Hopefully we’re home by five.”

“We’ll go sit in the back with them until they’re ready to come in,” Taschen said, as he stood.

Brick led Natalie to the front door. He picked up her purse from the table in the entrance and passed it to her.

She shook her head. “It’s okay. I’ve got my phone in my pocket. I don’t need my purse.” Nor did she feel like carrying it.

Brick placed it back on the table, then waved at the guys. “Thanks,” he called.

They stepped outside, and she inhaled a breath of air. God help them, this could be the best thing she’d done for her soul in ten years—or it could awaken a new hell.

Either way, she had to face the music.

***

Brick squeezed Natalie’s fingers on his lap as he steered into the parking lot of the police station. He found a space near the door. Her slim hand seemed so much smaller than usual, her demeanor almost shrunken. “Hey,” he said.

She turned to face him and her long blond hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her lips trembled a little at the corners, but she smiled.

“It’s going to be fine.”

She nodded. “It’s just... being here. Closer to him, which I know sounds strange. Keetan spent so much time here and everyone knows him. A lot of people will recognize me.” She shook her head and let out a breath. “It feels like I’m walking toward him, for god’s sake.”

He tightened his hold on her fingers. “Every feeling you’re experiencing right now is normal.”

She lowered her gaze. “I can’t wait to shake this hold he has on me.” She met his eyes, and determination flickered in her irises. “If it goes as well as we hope and I walk away from this unscathed, I promise I’ll never look back. We can go to Seattle right away if that’s what you want.”

He smoothed his hand over her cheek. “I want you to feel free. That means not doing whatever it is I want—it’s doing what you want. You get to decide the best thing for you and Bray. I just ask to be in the picture.”

She leaned forward. “You are in the picture. Already you’ve shown Bray he can trust you and be himself. That’s the best scenario I could ever ask for. The scenery we look at while we’re living doesn’t matter as long as he has his father.”

A sense of completion filled him. Days ago, he hadn’t known these two were missing from his life.

Sure, he’d thought about Natalie often, hoped and prayed he’d see her again or she’d reach out.

But he hadn’t been prepared for a built-in family.

He kissed her cheek. “It’s funny, because I never imagined how or when I’d have a family.

It just seemed unattainable. Finding out I had Bray hit me like a freight train, but hell, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. ”

Natalie’s lip quivered just a fraction. “That means a lot to me.”

“I know. You’re an amazing mother.” He ran his hand down her back. “Oh, and the scenery is pretty great. You’ll both love it.”

She giggled. “Good. Bray’s never been to the ocean.”

This time he kissed her lips. “That’s the first thing we’ll do.” His eyes sparked with excitement. “I also can’t wait for my mom to meet Bray.”

Natalie’s eyes rounded. “I would love that.” She dipped her head. “Bray’s close with Keetan’s mom, but after all this they won’t be able to keep their relationship. Mary is... spiteful.” She smiled. “But Bray will be excited to meet another grandma.”

He bit back any questions about Bray’s relationship with Keetan’s mom.

At the end of the day, if his son had been raised with a grandmother figure who’d loved him, he’d be grateful.

“Good. Of course I haven’t told her about Bray yet, but she’ll be over the moon.

” He straightened and reached behind his back for his Glock.

He tucked it into the center console. “Guess I can’t bring this inside unfortunately.

” He reached for the door handle. “Ready?”

Some of the hesitation left her eyes, and she nodded. He stepped out and made his way around the vehicle. He hadn’t mentioned anything to Natalie, but he’d bet his rifle that, having been suspended, Keetan was on a rampage. And if so, Natalie and Bray were his targets.

With Zain and Taschen at the house, he was confident Bray was safe with Ellie. But out here, Natalie was more exposed. She glanced up at him curiously as he tucked her under his arm. His palm itched to reach for weapon as he led her to the station, but he’d just have to do without.

Inside, the air buzzed with activity. They walked through a set of metal detectors. Bulletproof glass protected the front desk. An older woman looked up from her computer. “How can I help you?”

“We’d like to see the chief,” Brick said.

She frowned. “Do you have a meeting scheduled?”

“No—”

“Please tell him Natalie Shaw is here to see him,” Natalie said, her voice strong and unwavering.

The secretary gave a tense smile and rose from her desk. “Have a seat.”

Natalie turned and settled herself on one of the few unoccupied chairs against the wall. Brick sat next to her and placed his hand reassuringly on her thigh. Her fingers were knotted in her lap. He wished like hell he had some comforting words, but right now his brain was sharply alert.

Logic told him Keetan wouldn’t be here. Nonetheless, he scanned every face looking for both the suspended cop and Clyde and Justin from Club East.

The door separating the waiting area from the offices opened, and the woman motioned at them. “Come on back.”

Brick got to his feet. He placed his hand on the small of Natalie’s back as they walked through the door and down the hall in the direction the woman pointed.

“First door on the left.” She coughed as though she’d just finished a pack of smokes and returned to her desk.

In the main office area were multiple cubicles. Brick noted a door labeled Staff Only and another marked Washroom. An exit lay at the very end of the hall, and a few other offices were clustered around the chief’s. The nameplate on his door read Arnie Wiebe.