Page 87 of Brick

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Brick

Brick’s heart sank as he watched the horror play over Olivia’s face. He was such a fucking stalker, watching her through the window, hidden in the shadows of some tall bushes, but he couldn’t bring himself to knock on the door.

The mirror on the far wall revealed the nightmare that played on her screen. One of the nights he’d spent in Sucre’s “office.”

He barely remembered the details. In a small mercy, he’d had a lot to drink both before and after. But he remembered the worst of it.

Olivia’s hand covered her mouth, and her shoulders jerked forward. Her face twisted, and tears streamed from her eyes.

Hot shame washed over him. How could he ever face her after this?

It was one thing for her to think she knew the worst of him. It was another for her to see it with her own eyes.

Tires squealing in the parking lot had him crouching deeper into the foliage. Will strode to Liv’s front door and into the apartment without bothering to knock. She turned off the TV, jumping to her feet and falling into his arms.

Even if she had a broken heart, at least she’d be safe.

He shuffled back to his truck, the filth and despair of that night and others like it, threatening to drown him. The ride home passed in a blur.

Once inside, he shed his clothes and shuffled into the bathroom. He turned on the shower and climbed inside. He knew from years of experience, he couldn’t wash any of the memories away. Still, he tried.

As always, the water was lukewarm.

But the tears rolling down his face boiled blistering hot.

***

Liv

Jonathan didn’t call her Saturday night or Sunday. Afraid of who might answer his phone, she didn’t call him either. But she needed to talk to him about what she’d seen. It couldn’t wait another day.

Her stomach still churned over what played out on the video file she received. Not because she’d seen him in bed with someone else or even because it was a man. It was the absence of horror in his face over what he had to endure. The absence of anything, really. It was the dead emptiness in his eyes as he’d followed every command his boss had issued. A blank stare and an obedience without hesitation.

After bearing witness to even a sliver of their dynamic, she had no doubt there was nothing Jonathan wouldn’t do for his boss. The monster’s control over his creation was excruciatingly complete.

But that wasn’t entirely true now, was it?

He was risking everything to be with her, and not only did Sucre have some inkling about it, he was obviously displeased. What kind of punishment would he think of to fit the crime?

Heart in her throat, she drove to the house on Burgundy Street before her first class on Monday morning. She saw no sign of Jonathan’s blue truck. Still, she got out and peeked in the open front door.

Kane stopped working on the kitchen cabinets and ambled her way, his eyes pinched with concern. “Everything okay, sweetheart? Did Brick take a turn for the worse? I got worried when I heard he wouldn’t be in this week.”

All week? Could Sucre have him? “He looked fine when he left me Saturday morning. I mean, he was still sore and swollen, but he was walking around…talking.”

“Was it the last time you heard from him?”

She nodded miserably, debating how much to tell him. “I think his boss tried to call me. Sent me some really nasty videos. I’m really worried.”

Kane grimaced. “If it was really his boss, you should be.”

“I’m afraid to call him. I don’t even know where he lives.” What if he was hurt? What if Sucre was torturing him for information about her? She couldn’t breathe as the possibilities rained down on her.

“The best thing you can do for him is to sit tight.” He touched her shoulder. “I’ll go down to his neighborhood. I’m not sure which apartment is his, but I’ve been to his gym. Let me sniff around. See what I can find out. I promise, I’ll let you know, okay?”

She didn’t like it, but she didn’t have a choice. “Give me your phone, and I’ll put in my number.” Once he handed it over, and she’d saved her contact, she gave it back. “You’ll call me? As soon as you can?”

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