Brick shrugged.“I think Sephie understands our way of life.Ex-military guys need a rush of adrenaline.”
She smiled but suspected Taschen’s willingness to help came from a place deeper than that.Just like Brick, he and Zain were noble protectors.“What about Zain?Does he have kids?”
He shook his head as he cut off another chunk of steak.“No.He just got back from Afghanistan in April.”
She furrowed her brow.“Is that when he met Taschen’s sister?You said they’re soon-to-be brothers-in-law, right?”
“He actually met her in Afghanistan.Zain is Rami’s brother.Rami and his best friend, Toth, are co-owners of Backcountry Protection Services.Zain went missing a few years ago during a black ops mission.”He wiped his mouth and rested his fork on his plate.“Dana was working for Backcountry, and she managed to locate Zain and bring him back.”
“Holy crap.”She scooped some broccoli and potato onto her fork and placed it in her mouth.Butter and salt erupted on her tongue and she groaned.“This is so good, by the way.”
A bright, genuine smile reached his eyes.“Thanks.”
“Dana sounds a little intimidating.”
“She’s the sweetest.Maybe you can meet her.”
She took a bite of steak and chewed the deliciously tender meat.They’d have to talk about how to make things work.Brick needed to form more of a connection with his son, which meant one of them would have to move.Relocation was the least she could do to show Brick her commitment to giving him a relationship with Bray, but she couldn’t help the jitter of nerves at the idea of starting all over in a new place.She’d also have to find a way to provide.She had no money, and no post-secondary education.
She hated Keetan beyond words, but she’d always be grateful for the time she’d spent at home with Bray.She just wished Keetan hadn’t been part of their lives at all.That Bray’s real father had been involved.
“You okay?”
She swallowed and nodded.“Yeah.I’d love to meet your friends.”
“Toth has a kid, too.Him and Savannah, his fiancée, have a boy about a year old.Actually, they’re getting married next month.”
Regret churned inside her.All she’d ever wanted was a stable home and father for Bray.She might get the latter but not the former.“That’s wonderful.What’d they name their son?”
“Roman.Hey, maybe Bray and him can be buds,” he said, winking at the little monkey wiggling on top of her.
“Buds!”Bray shrieked.He climbed to his feet and jumped on her legs.
“Hey you,” she said, catching his little waist and plopping him back down to sit on her.“You’re going to fall if you do that.”
Brick laughed, and his eyes shone.He wore an expression she couldn’t place.Bray was definitely himself around Brick, which warmed her heart.Maybe it was because Brick was a quiet presence, or because he’d rescued him from the kidnappers.Whatever the reason, she was grateful—Bray was often shy around people.
She still had so many questions, none of which she was prepared to ask in front of Bray.She and Brick would surely talk about Keetan and the apartment where he’d been hiding Bray, but she didn’t want to say anything that could upset their son right now.
“What time is bedtime?”Brick asked.
She glanced at the clock on the stove: 7:22p.m.After Bray’s bath, she’d video-called Ellie so her sister could see that he was alive and well.She’d promised to call her the next day to arrange a visit.Then they’d all watched TV for a bit.The mindless kids’ show had settled her nerves and given Bray a chance to rest and hopefully feel comfortable in their temporary space.
“It’s past bedtime.We usually start our routine around 6:30p.m.”
His mouth quirked.“I think he’s wide awake.”
Bray picked up a handful of potato and smashed it into the table.Natalie absent-mindedly mopped up the mess, knowing it was like cleaning up with an open blender running.“He’ll crash hard.He always does.”
Brick’s gaze became thoughtful.Her chest constricted.There was so much he needed to learn.So much that came naturally to her because she’d been with Bray every waking second.
He cleared his throat and stood.“I’ll grab the dishes if you want to get him ready for bed.”
She got to her feet and placed Bray in her chair.“Why don’t I clean the kitchen?Give you guys some time together.”
Bray babbled and played with his food.Tilting her face up, she met Brick’s hard stare.
“You don’t have to do this,” he said softly.“I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m sure he’d rather have you.”
