Page 68 of Edge of Danger

“What do you want me to say? Yeah. I did what had to be done. I had my cousin fix things. He told me what to tell CPS, what they would listen to, and I told them. Bing, bang, boom, I got full custody of my son.”

“You lied to Child Protective Services?” Always good to have clear confirmation.

“Yes, okay? I told them she was an addict and fixed it so CPS would show up while she was high on something. She didn’t even know I had a buddy inject her as she was leaving work that night. I called CPS and had them go to her place, and they saw with their own eyes what a waste she was. It was easy after that.”

He had just signed his own arrest warrant. Brax took pains to calm himself. “And the judge who helped you get away with it is the same cousin who accepted my forged signature on those guardianship documents?”

Robert sighed. “Why do you have to make it sound the way you do? ‘Forged.’ I mean, come on.”

“I never signed those guardianship documents, yet he approved and signed them. He granted me guardianship sight unseen.”

“He knew you’re my half brother.”

“It doesn’t matter. I never met him, yet he was on board with doctoring those papers.”

“This is a waste of my time. I should’ve known it wouldn’t be enough for you to hand the kid over and be done with it. You had to let me know what a scumbag you think I am and how much you hate me.”

“I don’t hate you,” Brax insisted. “I feel sorry for you, if anything.”

“Spare me your pity.” Robert strode over to him, hands out. “I need the kid. I have places to be.”

“Brax?” Chance murmured in his ear. “Tessa and Hawkins are on their way in.”

Perfect timing.

Brax handed the car seat to Robert, watching with pleasure as his expression changed from snide arrogance to confusion. “What is this?” He peeled back the blankets, revealing the doll in Walker’s place. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m protecting people who aren’t scum,” Brax fired back.

A moment later, Hawkins walked in with Tessa behind him. Robert’s mouth fell open. He dropped the seat, the sound echoing in the empty space.

He turned to Brax, snarling. “What have you done?”

Meanwhile, Hawkins let out a satisfied breath. “You were as good as your word.” He turned to Tessa with a grin. “Thank you. And sorry for all the trouble I put you through. You can go.” He handed her a fat envelope.

Tessa withdrew a wad of cash from the envelope, counted it and exchanged a look with Brax before glaring at Robert. She didn’t say a word, only stood there with her arms wrapped around herself, hate burning in her eyes.

Brax let out a relieved breath when she backed out of the warehouse. A moment later, Chance reported, “She’s safe. She’s cleared the building and gone to her car.”

Robert turned on Brax, sweating like he’d just run a marathon. “Why would you do this to your own brother?” he snarled.

“You stole your son from his mother and used him as a pawn,” Brax snarled back. He didn’t have to pretend anymore. “You did everything you could to destroy her. How am I supposed to have sympathy for you? You deserve everything you’re going to get.”

“I agree.” Hawkins advanced, but Brax held up a hand to stop him. This wasn’t over yet.

“You can’t get the money he owes the Solomon family if you kill him,” Brax reminded him.

Hawkins shrugged, then took Robert by his shirt collar and drove a fist into his face once, twice. Robert dropped to the floor.

Hawkins turned to Brax. “If you wanted your brother alive, you shouldn’t have brought him to me. You probably know better than most how much he deserves to die—hell, what you just said now about his kid is reason enough. I’ve got my own personal issues with Robert.”

He kicked Robert in the ribs to punctuate his statement. “Don’t I?” he shouted, the sudden change making Brax jump. “I warned you I’d kill you if you didn’t quit saying the things you were saying. Making a fool out of me. Then you made a fool of the family. Of Gabrielle. That was all the reason I needed to go after you. They know I’m gonna kill you, Robert, and guess what? They don’t care as long as they never have to set eyes on you again.”

A chill ran through Brax.

Weston broke in. “That’s all the police need. We’ll pick them up once they’re out of there. Chance will follow them.”

“On my way out to meet them on the main road,” Chance confirmed.

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