“That bastard,” he said, exhaling.“I fucking swear—”
“I know, dude.You’ve got them now.Maybe you should consider moving them to one of our safe houses until this is over.”
It wasn’t a bad idea.Until now, he hadn’t thought that step would be necessary, but Dammit, he didn’t want to move Bray again so soon.He’d just extended their stay from two nights to four.Uprooting the child after such a traumatic experience would be tough on him.
“You there?”Zain asked.
“Yeah, just thinking.We’ve gotta catch Keetan.”But doing so could hurt Natalie.He swung his gaze to the staircase, and a surge of protectiveness came over him.He couldn’t let Natalie take the fall for Shelby’s death.He wouldn’t.She might have hurt him more deeply than anyone ever had, but this wasn’t about him.It was about Bray.
And goddammit, it was about Natalie, too.He needed to start being honest with himself.Something was there.Call it an old flame, call it the same spark that’d hit him when her angelic face appeared above his outside that bar in Fargo—or hell, maybe just call him weak.
He had a thing for Natalie.He’d had a thing for her three and a half years ago, and he’d had a thing for her when he found her in the parking lot.So whether he liked it or not, she was as much his priority as Bray.And that was about all he was mentally prepared to admit right now.
“I’m down.What do you have in mind?”
“He’s got something I need.Evidence on Natalie.”
There was a long stretch of silence.“What kind of evidence?”Zain finally asked, full of hesitation.
“The kind that could put her on trial for something serious.If Keetan’s not lying.He told Natalie he recorded her when she was upset and saying something that could amount to a confession.”
“Fuck,” Zain spat.“Well, let’s pay him a visit.If he’s got evidence, we’re gonna find it.”
New determination rushed through him.“Come back to our place.One of you will need to stay with Natalie and Bray while we find Keetan.”
Zain snickered.“Taschen’s going to hate being left out, but I call dibs on this one.Be there in twenty.”
Brick hung up.Movement at the corner of his eye brought his gaze to Natalie, who stood in the doorway of the living room.Her arms were pulled tightly across her waist, and concern etched her makeup-free face.“Care to tell me what’s going on?”
He got to his feet.“I need to head out.The guys will be here soon.Taschen’s going to stay with you.”
She glowered at him.“I heard that much.Tell me what I don’t know.”
He took two steps closer to her, bringing himself right into her personal space.He placed his hands on her hips, not giving a damn that his touch would show her more than he was ready to right now.
Her full, pouty lips parted, but she didn’t step out of his reach.Once again, her gaze hung on to his, her baby blues searing right through him.
“I’m going to find out if Keetan has the recording.And if he does, I’ll get it.”
She widened her eyes.“No.I don’t want you to do that.”
“Honey, it has to be done.”Well, hell.When had endearments become a thing?Maybe it was the result of having seen her holding his kid, or maybe just the pained look in her eyes right now.
She shook her head.“There’s no point,” she whisper-wailed.“If he has evidence, he’ll have more than one copy.”
Brick caught a lock of hair that’d escaped from her ponytail and swept it behind her ear.“Why do you think Keetan took Bray to that gang leader’s place last night?”
She furrowed her brow and shrugged.“Because he’s a useless piece of shit.”
He smirked.“True.But why is he hanging out with those guys at all?”
She lowered her gaze.“Yeah, I know.I’ve been thinking about that.But it’s not like we have proof he’s done anything illegal.Being friends with criminals isn’t a crime in itself.”
“No, but being paid by them is.”
Her gaze turned to ice.“What are you talking about?”
“Keetan’s been collecting bribes from Club East.He alerts them when allegations are made against the gang, and gives them the snitch’s name.”
