One of the guys cleared his throat.She closed her eyes and swallowed.“Please be careful.”
He brushed his lips over her forehead.“Always.I’ve got too much to live for now.”He pulled back a fraction to meet her gaze again.“Wait up for me.We’re gonna finish what we started before those fuckheads got here.”
She smirked.“I guess that’ll motivate you to return.”
His eyes darkened, and he brought his mouth down to meet hers.The warmth of his lips made her surge to her toes.She gripped his wrist, and desire flared in her loins.Another impatient cough sounded from the front door.
She peeled her mouth from his, breathless.“I think Zain wants you.”
“I’ll kill him,” Brick muttered.He pecked her on the nose and backed away.“I mean it—don’t go to sleep yet.”He winked, snagged his rifle, and made his way to the front door.
Her heart hammered against her breast, and a shrill warning screeched in her head.The front door closed.She heard the lock snap into place, and then Taschen sauntered back into the living room.
He looked at her and grimaced, as if reading every stitch of her pain.“Don’t worry.He’s too annoying to die.”
She snorted and wiped the moisture from beneath her eyelids, then sat on the couch.“One could say the same about you,” she shot back.Okay, so she didn’t know Taschen from Tom, but if he was going to take a jab at her man—
Her breath hitched.Was she wrong to hope she and Brick had a future?
Taschen snickered.“That’s what they all say.”He ran a hand over one of the scars on his head.“I’m kidding.Brick’s a stand-up guy.”His tone became serious, gentle.“He’ll be a great dad.”
She nodded.“I can see that already.”She drew her knees onto the couch.“Brick mentioned you have a baby on the way?”
He grinned proudly.“Sure do.Sephie’s finally in the second trimester.It was rough in the beginning.”
She winced with sympathy.“I was sick with Bray, too.Sephie was lucky to have you there.”A wave of jealousy crashed against her—not toward Taschen’s expecting wife, but because she hadn’t had Brick beside her during those rough weeks.
Or during the joyful, happily terrifying moments either.She’d have traded Keetan’s snide, abusive ways for anything if she hadn’t been so stupidly afraid.
“I’m the lucky one,” he said, his eyes dancing.
She tilted her head.“I’m sorry they brought you here.I’m sure you’d rather be back in Seattle right now.”
He folded his arms across his chest.“It’s part of the job.I’m grateful Toth and Rami are so flexible.Hopefully this will all be wrapped up in the next day or two.”
She shrunk into the couch cushion.“I’m not holding my breath.Keetan is like a snake.He’ll make life hell until his last breath.”
Taschen’s lips twitched.“That could be sooner rather than later.”
“Momma!”Bray’s wail jolted her from her seat.
“Excuse me.”She made her way out of the room and jogged up the stairs.Bray’s sobs continued.“I’m coming honey,” she called.
His cries died down once he heard her voice.She pushed open the bedroom door and her gaze landed on her son.He was kneeling on the large bed.The hall light illuminated his tousled curls and wet cheeks.
“Hey, baby.Momma’s here.”She climbed onto the bed, and his little arms latched around her neck.She kissed his forehead and murmured reassuring words.
Settling on the pillow, she drew the blanket around them both.In less than a minute, Bray’s body relaxed and he was fast asleep again.She kissed his plump cheek, wiped his lingering tears, and gathered him close to her chest.
Sadness clenched her throat.He’d woken as if in a trance.Probably a nightmare.Which she’d expected after the trauma he’d endured.Just being separated from her would have been damaging enough.
Hate scorched her veins.
Screw Keetan.He deserved to suffer.And she had no doubt Brick would deliver a generous amount of tribulation.
But worry cinched her muscles.She needed Brick to come home.
For both of them.
