He’d just have to trust Taschen with his life—with his family.
“You ready to go?”Zain asked.He stood near the doorway of the living room, and his body language screamed his anxiousness to get the show on the road.He probably wanted to get back to Seattle and Dana sooner rather than later.
“Lemme get my vest on.”Brick made his way to the stairs and quietly ascended.The floorboards creaked when he reached the second level.The door to the main bedroom sat partway open, but Brick headed to the office at the end of the hall, where he’d left his AR-15, bulletproof vest, and comm device, wanting to keep everything as far away from Bray as possible and in the one room with a lock on the door.The only weapon he’d kept accessible was the Glock he always carried, but he’d ensured it stayed out of the two-year-old’s reach.
He took off his T-shirt and put on the vest, then pulled the shirt back over his head.After sticking the earpiece in the pocket of his jeans, he scooped up his rifle.He left the office and paused at the top of the stairs, his gaze fixated on the main bedroom.
His heart twisted.How was it possible to fall in love so quickly?He’d never known unconditional love, but hell, when he looked at Bray’s big brown eyes, when he heard his ridiculous laugh...
He knew without a doubt he’d kill for the kid.
He’d also live for him.
As sure as he was that nothing would take him away from Bray, he couldn’t leave for battle, even one that paled in comparison to war, without one last look at his boy.He moved soundlessly toward the bedroom and eased open the door the rest of the way.
Light from the hall sent shafts across the carpet and illuminated the bed.Bray lay on his side.His body looked so small beneath the fluffy duvet.Brick got closer and knelt beside the bed.The little boy’s lips were slightly puckered, and his curls spilled around his angelic rosy cheeks.So damn sweet.
He placed his hand on Bray’s head and gingerly pressed a kiss to his forehead.“I love you, little man,” he whispered.“I wish I could tell you that when you’re awake.When you’re ready.But I promise, I’ll always be here.Night, buddy.”He stood and stared down at the tiny sleeping form.
Fresh anger filled him.
Bray hadn’t asked for the hand he’d been dealt.He deserved his father.He deserved a family.And as far as Brick was concerned, Keetan was the one who’d stolen this from him.
And he’d damn well pay.Right fucking now.
***
Natalie wrapped herarms tighter around her as the stairs creaked.Brick entered the room armed to the nines.Though he hadn’t changed his clothes, his demeanor screamed war.The outline of a bulletproof vest beneath his shirt made him appear even more stacked and menacing.A rifle hung loosely in his grip.“Ready?”he said to Zain.
Her belly flipped.
All this was for her.The men taking up the living room, the weapons, and the determination in Brick’s face.He looked hungry for murder, and she couldn’t fathom the consequences of killing a cop.
She couldn’t let Bray’s father get put away.Not when they’d just found him.Despite her still-weak legs, she stood.“Can we talk for a sec?”
“Sure.”He jerked his head at the guys.
Taschen stood and followed Zain down the hall toward the front door.Brick stepped closer to her, catching her fingers in his.“You and Bray are safe.I wouldn’t leave if I thought otherwise.”
She rolled in her lips and stared down at their joined hands.In such a short time, Brick had become someone she could rely on.Geez, who was she kidding?She probably could have relied on him three years ago, but she’d been too scared to tell him everything—too ashamed of her past.
And they’d all paid the biggest price.
Tears flooded her eyes and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth as she tried to find the right words.
“Hey.”Brick placed the gun on the end table next to the couch and brought his hand up to cradle her cheek.“What’s going on?”
“I don’t want you to do this,” she blurted.“Bray just met you.If something happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”
He tilted her face so their gazes met.“Do you think I’d let anyone stand between my son and me?Between you and me?”
The wind left her lungs.Electricity arced through the air, and his brown eyes scorched her with promise.Commitment.She compressed her trembling lips as her brain once again fumbled words.
“Natalie, I know we’ve got a lot to figure out between the three of us.But I’m here for the long haul.That means I’ve got to settle this thing with Keetan.”
“If you kill him, you’ll go to jail.”
“I’ll handle it.”
