Page 74 of Brick

She grabbed her sister’s shoulder and tugged. “Iz.”

Jonathan lifted his free hand. “It’s okay. I want to answer her.” His gaze met her sister’s. “I am trouble. It’s why I tried so hard to stay away from her, but there’s a reason we keep coming together. I’m tired of fighting it.” He stood straighter. “I want this. I want her. So, yes, I will take care of her. I will do everything in my power to make sure she’s not touched by who I am and what I do. Anyone who wants to do her harm will have to get through me first.”

Izzy gave him a cool once-over. “Good enough. Liv sees something in you worth taking a chance on. You’re welcome here as long as you do right by her.”

“Uh, guys?” She wiggled her fingers in front of her face. “I’m standing right here.” She shooed her sister out of the door. “See ya when you get back from your trip, Iz.”

Izzy smirked and waved as she walked away.

She closed the door behind her.

“Your sister’s going somewhere?”

“Only for a few days; some kind of martial arts expo. She wanted to cancel, but I’ll tell you what I told her: Don’t worry. We’ve already established Tre doesn’t know where I live, and Will is going to be watching me like a hawk.”

“She was right to question me, you know. She only wants to protect you.” His deep voice was quiet.

“I know. She’s been looking out for me for as long as I can remember.”

“You’re lucky to have her.”

“I am. She didn’t say anything I didn’t expect.”

He tucked another wayward lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m not going to give up on us.”

“Promise me,” she whispered.

He kissed the top of her head. “I promise, but I need you to promise something too. You’re going to be on guard when you go back to work tomorrow.”

“Oh, I promise. I already went through this with Will. He signed off on the security guard. He’s not even banging the drum for me to stop seeing you anymore. I’m surprised he didn’t want me to hire my own personal bodyguard.”

“It wouldn’t be the worst idea.”

Spoken like another overprotective male. “You two have more in common than you think.”

He hugged her closer against him. “Oh, we’ve got something in common. Both of us would take a bullet to keep you safe.”

***

Brick

Brick reported directly to his boss after he dropped Olivia back home. It had been two hours since Sucre had texted him, and though he’d answered him right away, the man did not like waiting for anyone.

“Ah, Brick.” Sucre rose from his throne and held his arms open. “Glad to see you could finally join us.” The boss reached to the table beside him, where two chocolate muffins rested. One was half-eaten. Sucre lifted the other and offered it to him. “Muffin? They’re sugar free.”

And unmistakably from the bakery where he shopped for his grandmother. Were those her muffins? He refused to ask, but his blood pressure soared.

Bowing his head, he played the game. “No, thank you. Sorry to keep you waiting, Boss.” When he got the call to come in, he’d texted Sucre he went out of town scouting for a hunting cabin. Olivia had done some quick research on her phone before he left her apartment, finding a few places for sale or for rent. He had a list in case Sucre pushed for more details. He’d wait until Sucre asked, though. Offering too much information without prompting would look squirrely.

Sucre sniffed. “I don’t know why you want to be out in nature. We’ve got everything you need right here.”

It wasn’t a question. He stared at the floor, waiting submissively for instructions.

“I have some new product coming in tonight. Go stand at the bar and look intimidating.”

Motherfucker. There wasn’t even a reason to call him in. Sucre had only done it to interrupt whatever he’d been doing.

Shaking his head, he turned toward his assigned destination.

“Oh, and Brick?”

He stopped.

“Maybe I do need to think about spending some time in the great outdoors. Send me some addresses.” His voice hardened. “Or better yet, show me the GPS in your phone.”

This is where it paid to be prepared. He had already cleared his history from the track and the falls and punched in four of the cabins Olivia had found on Zillow. He pulled up his GPS app and handed the phone over to his boss.

Sucre narrowed his eyes and gave the phone right back. “Just go. And next time, don’t keep me waiting.”

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