Page 37 of Brick (Chosen Few #5)

A minute later, the door slammed shut and the helicopter lifted from the beach.

She didn’t look out the window to search for Taschen and Rosealee.

Nothing in this world would tear her gaze from Brick’s seemingly lifeless form.

The slow, laborious beeping of a nearby monitor told her that somehow, he was still fighting.

Part of her wanted to see his eyes—they hadn’t opened since he lost consciousness on the dock.

She needed reassurance that he wasn’t going anywhere.

But the other part knew he needed every ounce of energy to survive.

As long as his heart was still beating, she wouldn’t dissolve into nothing.

She curled the blanket tightly around her shoulders. Tears misted her eyes. Brick’s skin was sallow, and his lips sported a blue tint. An oxygen mask had been fitted over his face. The medics continued to stabilize him. Taschen had managed to staunch the bleeding until help arrived.

Her mouth burned to hurl questions at the paramedics. Only one truly mattered—was he going to be okay? But she couldn’t distract them, and they probably wouldn’t have an answer.

Every beat of her heart called her to go to Brick’s side. Find his hand. Tell him he had to hang on.

One of the paramedics looked at her, his expression grim and sympathetic. “He’s stable,” he said, above the noise of the aircraft. “We should be at the hospital in thirty minutes.”

She swallowed and gave one sharp nod of acknowledgment because that’s all she could do.

The young man, probably no older than twenty-five, motioned with his head. “You wanna talk to him?”

She inched forward and grasped Brick’s hand. His long, thick, calloused fingers were cold in hers. Taking such a strong, capable hand and feeling nothing in response shocked her more than the frigid lake water that’d swallowed her up.

Tears fell. She didn’t stop them. Wouldn’t have been able to if she’d tried. Edging closer, she leaned down even though the action made pain shoot through her shoulder. She got close to his ear. “Hang on for me, Brick. I love you. And Bray needs you.”

He probably hadn’t heard. She squeezed his fingers nonetheless, praying he’d receive the message in whatever dark recess of his mind was active.

When her shoulder screamed too much, she settled back in her seat. Taschen had promised to meet them at the hospital and to call Ellie to let her know Natalie was alive.

Bray. Her poor boy probably missed her so much. She just wanted him in her arms. She wanted all three of them to be snuggled in bed with the sounds of mindless kids shows in the background.

She wanted a life with them, dammit.

***

Hours later Natalie lay in a hospital bed. She’d just gotten out of surgery. Although some of her muscles were still numb from the anesthetic, a slight burn began to sizzle around the gunshot wound. At least the bullet had been removed.

She’d declined pain meds because she needed to be alert and coherent in the event she got news about Brick. The last she’d heard, he’d received a blood transfusion. The bullet had also been removed from his shoulder.

Hell, if they lived through this, she might ask to keep both as souvenirs.

“Knock, knock,” Ellie said, from the doorway.

Natalie’s chin trembled as Ellie entered the room. Her sister’s phony cheery smile fell the minute she saw Natalie’s tears.

“Oh honey.” She rushed to her bedside. “I was so worried about you.”

Natalie accepted her sister’s hug and breathed in her floral shampoo, which smelled a hell of a lot better than the bleach the hospital staff sprayed everywhere. “I’m sorry you had to get up so early.”

She pulled away with a grin. “Are you kidding? I was already awake. That twisted son of yours had me up at five thirty!”

Natalie chuckled. “How is he?”

“Good. I didn’t want to bring him in until I saw you first. He’s eating pancakes with Zain in the cafeteria. Those two have become best buds. It’s quite the contrast, that big, scary-looking soldier with a chatty little boy.” She chuckled then folded her hand around Natalie’s. “How’re the drugs?”

She shook her head. “Shitty, because I didn’t take any.”

Ellie blinked. “You’re crazy.”

“There’ll be plenty of time to numb the pain after I hear about Brick.”

Her sister straightened. “Oh my gosh, they didn’t tell you? He’s awake!”

“What?” she cried, with both wonderment and annoyance. “I can’t believe Taschen didn’t tell me.”

“Well, I kind of strong-armed my way in here. Don’t be too mad at him. Let me flag down a nurse and we’ll get you a wheelchair.”

Fifteen minutes later, Ellie was wheeling her down the hall. She steered her into a large room. Taschen stood next to the bed, his arms crossed, but Natalie’s gaze went right to Brick.

The head of the bed was tilted up. Machines beeped. His eyes found hers, and he compressed his lips. “You should be resting.”

Ellie parked the wheelchair next to the bed. “We’ll leave you two a minute.” She jerked her head at Taschen and they left the room.

“You’re not happy to see me?” she asked, a little pained.

Brick reached for her hand. A large bandage covered the side of his neck, and he didn’t lift his head from the pillow.

“You’re all I’ve wanted to see since I opened my eyes.

” He squeezed her fingers. “I’m just so damn sorry you got hurt.

I was worried when you weren’t next to me. ” His voice was weak, tired.

“First of all, you didn’t shoot me. Keetan did. So you’ve got nothing to be sorry for.” She traced the edge of one of his rough knuckles with her thumb.

“You shouldn’t have been in the position for him to take you in the first place.”

Tears rushed to her eyes as she remembered the emotions that’d spiraled through her mind when she was with Keetan. Sadness. Worry. Regret. “I wouldn’t be here right now if you hadn’t come for me.” She pressed her lips to his hand.

His pained brown eyes flickered with remorse. “This is all I wanted. You back safely. I’m pissed you got shot, but I’ll make sure you heal. I promise.”

She shrugged her good shoulder. “Now I’m just as badass as you are. Besides, you got shot twice.” She brushed her fingers over his shoulder. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I got shot twice,” he countered dryly.

She smirked, but the image of him slumped on the dock would haunt her forever. “My god. It’s a miracle you’re alive. I’ve never seen so much blood.”

He tightened his hold on her fingers. “The bullet took a good chunk out. Thankfully it missed my main artery and just grazed the muscle.”

Knock , knock

Natalie steered her attention to the door. Chief Wiebe stood there, in uniform, his face somber. She gave an involuntary shudder. She might be out of the woods as far as Keetan was concerned, but there was still Shelby’s death to contend with.

Brick’s hand warmed. It was as if he sensed her need for protection. “What can I do for you, Chief?”

He entered the room, his mouth moving into a reluctant half smile. “Thought I’d check on you both. I heard what happened, of course. Natalie,” he said, nodding at her. “I’m glad you’re safe. Sorry to see you’re both injured.”

“Thank you,” Natalie managed. She didn’t want to talk to anyone but Brick. Didn’t want to relive the events of the previous night. But now that they were both out of surgery and coherent, they’d have to face the music and answer all the questions.

“Mind if I have a seat?”

“Go ahead,” Brick said. His terse tone told her he was on as high alert as she was.

Chief Wiebe dragged a chair close to the bed, sat and leaned back, then folded his hands over his solid belly. “Natalie, are you aware of what happened to Keetan?”

Some of the blood drained from her face.

Her stomach clenched around a pit of nausea.

Brick and Taschen were responsible for Keetan’s death.

No matter how honest she wanted to be, she wouldn’t implicate them if she didn’t have to.

“Last I saw him was when he shot me. I don’t remember seeing him after that. ”

“Well, I’m here to inform you he’s dead.”

Her eyes widened. Blinking away her pretend shock, she swallowed. Manners prompted her to offer condolences, but her tongue refused to speak the words “I’m sorry.”

Because she wasn’t.

“Taschen shot Keetan after he opened fire on Natalie,” Brick explained. “She fell overboard immediately, hitting her head on the way and knocking herself out. We pulled her out of the water and got her back to the boat—and you know what happened on land.”

Chief Wiebe cleared his throat. “Yes, that’s the other news I’m here to deliver.

Tommy’s in the hospital as well. His injuries aren’t life-threatening, and he’s got police supervision round the clock.

It’s been confirmed he and Keetan were working with Club East,” he said, looking pointedly at Brick.

“Once he’s well enough, he’ll be held until a court hearing. ”

“Tommy was with Keetan when he attacked me and kidnapped Bray, and there was a third person there as well. Did you find out who that was?”

The chief nodded, his face pinched. “Tommy admitted to everything and testified as to who was involved that night. The other officer is being investigated.”

She nodded, and numbness crawled over her skin. While the chief’s admissions gave her some comfort, there was Shelby’s death to face.

“Natalie, if you’re up to it, we’d like to have you taken back to your room to give your statement.”

“She’s staying right here,” Brick stated firmly.

Chief Wiebe pursed his lips. “I assure you—”

“No offense, but the last thing I’m going to trust is your department. Whatever information you need from Natalie or me will be given right here.”

The chief pressed his hands onto his thighs and stood. “Fine. I’ll have Officer Braden come see you if that’s okay, Natalie? I figured you’d feel most comfortable with her.”

After last night’s events, Rosealee was probably the only one of Wiebe’s team Natalie trusted.

A scampering of footsteps down the hall brought a smile to her face. “I see my momma!” Bray’s excited little voice turned the smile to tears.

“Sure,” Natalie finally said to Wiebe. “After we spend some time with our son.”

Zain entered with Bray in his arms. In her son’s little hands was a small plastic cup with a straw. Green juice sloshed safely inside the container.

“Momma!”

Zain set Bray on his feet and took the cup just before Bray flung it to the floor. Ellie entered the room behind them, her arms around her waist and emotion in her eyes.

Bray raced across the floor.

Despite the burning ache in her shoulder, Natalie leaned forward and welcomed Bray as he pounced into her arms. “Hi, baby,” she crooned. “I missed you, buddy.”

“I miss you, Momma.” He pulled back, and his large eyes, so much like those of the man she loved, studied her face. His gaze drifted to her arm, which hung in a sling. He touched the bandage peeking out from beneath the green clothing. “You have an owie?”

“Yeah, honey. It’ll be better soon.”

He swung his gaze to Brick. “He have owies, too.”

“Hey, buddy,” Brick said, reaching out to pat Bray’s back. “Did you have fun with Zain and Ellie yesterday? I saw you went on a big slide.” He accentuated the word big , widening his eyes.

Bray nodded eagerly.

Natalie frowned. “What slide?”

“A big one! Red and Dain went ‘Ouch’!” he said excitedly, demonstrating with his hands.

Brick laughed then reached for his phone, which sat on the table next to his bed. He turned the screen toward them to reveal a picture of Bray grinning in front of a huge red slide.

Natalie chuckled and looked at Zain. “Did you actually go down that?”

Zain’s lip curled. “Apparently I have a soft spot for cute toddlers, and now I have back issues I never had before.”

Ellie snickered. “Oh my god, you should have seen it. He tumbled out of that thing and scared all the kids.”

Bray laughed. “He a monster.”

Ellie’s grin spread. “That’s what one boy screamed. ‘Run, there’s a monster!’”

Zain rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I’m permanently banned from Joey’s Jump House. Hope you all find that hilarious. Remember that the next time you ask me to babysit.”

“I see again,” Bray said, reaching for Brick.

Gingerly, Natalie let her son crawl onto Brick’s bed. He snuggled into his lap and lay with his back to Brick’s abdomen, motioning to see the photo again.

“You okay?” she mouthed, afraid Bray’s weight might be too much.

Brick’s eyes met hers over their son’s head. He spread his large, brawny palm on Bray’s chest and tilted his head down to the miniature version of him. “Never been better.”

His smile melted her heart, and the gentleness of such a big, strong man in the presence of his son was her breaking point.

Tears rushed to her eyes, but she swallowed the emotion gripping her throat. They’d been through hell the last few days. The last several years, really.

But they were finally on the other side. Exactly where they were supposed to be.

Together.