Page 38 of Brick (Chosen Few #5)

B rick fought to manage his anxiety as he watched Natalie give Rosealee her statement. While the officer seemed gentle and considerate of Natalie, he didn’t like that he couldn’t hear what was being said.

Bray had shifted from Brick’s lap onto the bed and was now sleeping at his side.

Ellie had offered to take him back to her place, but both Brick and Natalie wanted him at the hospital.

With any luck, they’d be released soon. Zain had dropped Ellie off at home and said he’d wait at the hotel for the all-clear from Brick to fly back to Seattle.

Taschen seemed reluctant to leave, and Brick bet he was waiting to make sure Natalie made it through the statement and the cops left. Smart.

Brick had already given his statement to the chief, and Taschen had spoken to Rosealee earlier.

Taschen shifted in his seat next to the bed. “You worried about how this’ll all shake out?”

Brick scoffed. “Not really. With the corruption in that police department aired out, they’re going to be under fire. Even if they wanted to pin charges for Keetan’s death, they’d have a hard time with everything he’s done to Natalie, the testimony from Tommy, and the shit with Club East.”

Taschen nodded. “Right. But there’s something else you’re worried about, isn’t there?”

He tightened his arm around his son, feeling a surge of protectiveness toward his little family. “We don’t know how things are going to unfold regarding Shelby’s death.”

“Want me to talk to our lawyers? It might be a good idea to have them ready to offer representation.”

Brick’s attention drifted to the corner of the room.

“Do that.” His temper ratcheted up a notch as he watched Natalie, who still sat in the wheelchair.

She should be resting, not forced to be alert.

Before he could open his mouth, Rosealee stood, patted Natalie’s good shoulder, and left the room with a wave to Brick.

Natalie wheeled herself to the side of his bed. “That was exhausting.”

“I bet,” Taschen said, then looked at Brick. “I’m going to head out. Need anything before I go?”

He shook his head. “No, but I owe your ugly ass a thank-you.” He wouldn’t risk saying what he fully meant.

Not here, where anyone could overhear. Taschen’s killing Keetan was a load off his shoulders—and hopefully Natalie’s.

Part of him hated that he hadn’t been the one to inflict pain and death upon the person who’d hurt Natalie, though.

The person who’d scared her enough to keep her from finding him.

Taschen’s mouth firmed, and he placed a hand on Bray’s sleeping head. “Don’t mention it. You’d have done the same for me.” He made his way out.

Brick reached for Natalie and pulled her hand onto his lap. “I think I’m ready to get out of here. How about you?”

She sighed. “Yes. I just want to go—” She shook her head. “Never mind. Technically, we don’t have a home.”

“Natalie, you always have a home with me.” His voice was tight with tension. Hell, he’d thought they’d established the state of their relationship.

She smirked. “Technically you don’t have a home here either.”

He relaxed a little. “True. I’ll see if the rental is still available. Once we’re feeling better, we’ll go over what you want to take to Seattle with you.” He dipped his chin. “That is, if you’re still willing to move.”

“I want nothing more.” She bit her bottom lip. “But we still need things sorted out regarding Shelby.”

“I know. Let’s try to stay positive and focus on the life we want. Everything will work out.” It had to. He wouldn’t entertain any other outcome.

He picked up his phone and messaged the rental host, asking if they could extend their stay for another week. That might be more time than necessary, but they were in no hurry.

All that mattered was getting everyone rest until they were mentally and physically prepared for the move. Besides, surely Bray would want more time with Ellie.

Natalie hung her head. He set his phone aside. “Hey, what’s going on in that pretty head?”

She inhaled a shuddering breath and shifted her tear-filled gaze to the ceiling. “I wish I knew what was going to happen with...” She swallowed and looked at him. “With Shelby’s case.”

Brick’s heart clenched. “We’ve gotta have faith, honey. I know it’s hard right now, but I think if they wanted to press charges, they would have already.”

“Chief Wiebe asked me to come by the station tomorrow if I’m feeling okay. I’d go now if I didn’t need to spend time with Bray. I just want all this over with.”

He wrapped his fingers around her much smaller ones. The thought that someone could charge her with manslaughter—or hell, murder—was too much to bear. Not only was the accusation such a sharp contrast to everything Natalie embodied, it could ruin their lives.

He wouldn’t fucking allow it.

A minute later, the nurse came in.

“Where do we sign to get the hell out of here?”

***

Knock , knock , knock

Natalie stirred and rubbed her eyes. She lay in the king-sized bed at the rental.

Bray slept peacefully between them, and Brick’s light snores told her he was getting some much-needed rest. They’d left the hospital just before lunch, picked up takeout on the way home, after they ate, they decided they’d all benefit from a nap.

She peered at the clock on the nightstand behind Brick’s shoulder. It was almost 5:00p.m. Well, bedtime was screwed. There was no way Bray would be ready for bed at his usual early hour now, but at least they’d all slept.

Knock , knock

Natalie stiffened. That’s what’d woken her up. Someone at the door. She lifted the covers and slid out, then quietly made her way downstairs to the front door. Apprehension made her movements soundless, her heart in her throat. She hadn’t wanted to wake Brick, but now she wished she had.

She went to the window and peeked through the blinds. Zain stood at the door with a large brown paper bag in his hand. She exhaled and unlocked the door. The bright sunshine hit her eyes, which were still sensitive from sleep. “Hey,” she said.

Zain winced. “Shit. Did I wake you?”

“No, it’s fine. We need to wake Bray anyway. What’s up?”

He passed her the bag. “My fiancée, Dana, had me grab some food she ordered from one of the local shops. If you were in Seattle, all the ladies would bring you meals themselves, so this is second best.”

“Oh my gosh,” she cried, as she accepted the bag with her good hand. The aroma of chicken and garlic wafted to her nostrils. “Please tell her thank you. You have no idea how helpful this is. I had nothing planned for dinner.”

He winked. “S’all good. Dana has you covered. Taschen and I are flying home,” he said, jerking his thumb to the vehicle waiting in the driveway.

Taschen smiled and waved.

“You guys take care and give that little dude—”

“Dain!” Bray wedged himself between the doorframe and her leg. “Hi,” he said, a little more calmy.

Zain knelt. “Hey, buddy. I’m flying back to Seattle tonight, but I wanted to say bye. We had fun yesterday.” He lifted his hand, which Bray high-fived with exuberance. Then he reached for Zain to pick him up.

He scooped up Bray and gave him a hug, patting him on his back. “I’ll see you soon, champ.”

Bray wiggled down and ran back in the house.

Zain gave another wave and left.

Natalie closed the door just as Brick came downstairs. His arm was in a sling and his hair was disheveled. Though his eyes were slightly red from sleep, he appeared more rested. His color was back, along with his grin. “Whaddya got there?”

“Dinner.” She smiled, waving the bag. “Courtesy of Dana. And ohmigod, it smells amazing.” She made her way to the kitchen while Bray played in the living room with a set of toy cars Ellie had bought him.

She placed the bag on the kitchen table and pulled out the food. In a few minutes, they had plates piled with veggies, some kind of cheesy Tuscan chicken, and potatoes.

They ate around the table, then watched a show with Bray before giving him a bath and putting him to bed a little later than usual. Natalie came downstairs once Bray was asleep to find Brick on the couch.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, as she sat next to him on the sofa.

He extended his uninjured arm, allowing her to slide against his side.

“Okay. Tired. I’m just very nervous for my meeting with Wiebe tomorrow.” She tried to fight the smallness of her voice, but the effort was futile. She simply didn’t have the energy to hide her emotions.

She could walk into the police department tomorrow and not walk out.

Would they detain her? Could they? Perhaps there wasn’t enough evidence against her yet—but maybe enough to prevent her from moving to Seattle.

Suddenly, she wanted more than anything to leave Detroit.

Even if it meant leaving her sister behind.

Everything about this city reminded her of Keetan and the years she’d stayed with him under duress. She wanted to move forward. To leave her past here and start fresh with Brick and Bray.

“Taschen called Backcountry’s lawyers. If the meeting with Wiebe goes south, we’ll give them a call.”

She nodded despite the growing lump in her chest.

“It’s going to be fine,” he said reassuringly. “I know it.”

She lowered her lashes. “I have faith.” She rose from the couch and extended her fingers in his direction. “Let’s go to bed. I know it’s early, but we’re not accomplishing anything sitting here but making ourselves more exhausted.”

He grabbed her fingers, but stood without her assistance. They made their way up to bed and took their spots on either side of Bray. Five minutes later, Brick was snoring softly.

Natalie lay awake, Shelby’s face in her mind’s eye.