Page 19 of Edge of Danger

“Nick.” He rapped harder on the trailer. “This doesn’t have to end badly. Come in with us, and we’ll get it worked out in your favor without having to involve the cops.”

Weston gestured to the window where Nick was visible. His voice rang out in the night air. “I ain’t going back. I’ll shoot you dead before I let anybody take me back.”

Brax’s throat tightened, and he fought to control the tension ratcheting up inside him. One of them had to remain calm and in control.

“It doesn’t have to be that way,” he assured the man. “Notice how we didn’t bring bounty hunters or cops with us. We don’t want to put Darlene or your son in danger.”

“They didn’t do nothing wrong!”

“We know that. Which is why we’re only here to bring you back in. You missed your appearance and a warrant will be issued for your arrest. You know that. We have the trailer surrounded. It’s for the best that you come out now without putting up a fight.”

The baby cried. Not a baby, not anymore, but young enough to instantly bring Walker to mind. What would he do if he were trapped in a trailer with Walker, knowing there were armed men outside? Whatever it took to ensure the kid’s safety, without a doubt.

But how could he say goodbye to him? What if the entire reason he’d run was to be with his child, who he’d now be torn away from?

“Nick, I know you want to be with your family. I get that. But you have to keep them in mind. You’re right. They didn’t do anything wrong. They’re innocent in all this. But you’re dragging them into it now. Don’t you see that?”

Darlene’s crying mixed with the kid’s twisted the knife in Brax’s chest. “You’ve got to do what’s best for them right now, Nick. Which means coming with us. Not putting up a fight. We don’t want any gunfire with a woman and child in the house. And we don’t want to see you get hurt. If you serve your time, you’ll be with your boy in a few years. You try to run and you risk much worse.”

“Bathroom window opened,” Chance whispered in his earpiece. “Looks like he’s going to make a run.”

Weston went around back to prepare for it.

Brax muttered a curse. This was not the way things were supposed to go. “Nick, I need you to talk to me. Where are you? Come on, man. For your son.”

“Please. Don’t shoot him.” That was Darlene near the front door. Her voice was thick with emotion.

“We have no intention of opening fire. I promise you that. But I need him to come out without a weapon. We will defend ourselves if it comes to it.”

“She’ll convince him,” Luke predicted.

Brax wasn’t so sure. The man didn’t want to go to prison. Anybody could understand that.

“For your boy,” he nearly begged. “Let him grow up knowing he has a daddy who loved him enough that he didn’t do anything stupid at a crucial moment. Let him look forward to seeing you again, Nick. You can put this behind you someday. But you have to be smart now.”

His weapon was at the ready, in case their man came out shooting.

The lock flipped. “I’m coming out. I’m unarmed. Don’t hurt my family.”

Brax could’ve collapsed with relief. “We won’t hurt any of you.” Then, more quietly for the sake of his brothers, “He’s coming out through the front.”

Chance and Weston joined him and Luke in time for the door to swing open. “Hey, Nick,” Brax offered. “It’s good to see you.”

By the time he had Nick back in custody and awaiting his rescheduled court appearance, it was nearly dawn. Would Tessa be worried? He hoped she’d managed to get some sleep—the sofa in the reception area was comfortable enough.

Yet she wasn’t out there when he arrived at the office. He entered the code to unlock the door and turn off the alarm, his gaze sweeping the floor as he did. Where was she?

For the briefest moment, just a flash in the back of his mind, Brax imagined Tessa taking Walker and running. Disappearing into the night while he’d been miles away talking a bail jumper out of doing anything stupid.

But no. If she’d left, he would’ve gotten an alert that the alarm had been tripped. Knowing she had to be around somewhere, he could breathe easier as he walked from one room to another looking for her.

He found them in the break room on a pile of blankets on the floor. Tessa slept curled around Walker like she was protecting him.

Brax crouched beside them, content to observe for a moment or two. Walker slept peacefully, his mouth curved into a little bow. What did babies dream about? Diaper rash? No, not if they looked as sweet and comfortable as his nephew did.

Tessa didn’t look so peaceful. Her delicate brows were drawn together, her forehead pinched like she was in pain. What was she dreaming about? Nothing good, that much was clear, especially when she whimpered like a wounded puppy.

It would’ve been mean to leave her that way any longer. Being awake had to be better than whatever was happening in her dream.

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