Page 41 of Brick

"Jeez, you were about to scare that woman to death," I joke around when she’s out the door.

Brick shrugs a shoulder. "Sorry about that, on edge, I guess."

"Yeah... I get it." I pull away from him while he plucks out his phone and dials Light.

A second later, he goes to put his phone back in his pocket, but it rings while it's in his palm.

All I'm doing is waiting to get back in his arms, but when I see his face fall, I know whatever message has just come through is not good news.

"What is it?" I ask, trying to get him to focus on me and not what he's reading.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Shaking my head, I lift my hands to wrap around his face. "Don't you do that. We're in this together. In all things. Be honest with me. I can take it."

I don't want him to start seeing me as fragile. Right now, I may be weak enough that a stiff breeze can knock me over, but I won'talways be like this. I want to be Brick's partner, not just someone he feels like he has to take care of.

"Are you sure?" he questions, and I nod my head again to set his mind at ease.

"That was Dutch; he thinks Daly is going to make a play today for him. He wanted to know if I wanted to be there so I can see firsthand the threat has been taken care of."

I gasp at his words and feel myself stumble backward.

When Wendy's body went stiff in my arms, I thought that was the end of it, but I should've known Brick would never just let Daly get away with something like this. This is the same man who stalked and kidnapped his father because the justice system didn't properly avenge his mother. It makes sense that he'd do something of the same sort for me.

"You can't come, Luna. Please don't make me argue this. I won't let you be there," Brick quickly adds to his statement.

Part of me is pissed that I don't get to be the one to deliver that bastard's final blow; after all, he's the one who killed my sister. But I know Brick is right. It's going to be dangerous, and right now I don't think I'll be able to handle any more death.

"You'll take care of him for me?" I look back up at him and keep his gaze so he knows I mean what I say. "Make him hurt?"

The determination is thick on his expression. That fire I know rages deep inside of Brick reflects in his eyes.

"He'll wish he never touched a hair on Wendy's head before I'm through with him."

With a gentle nod, I wrap my arms back around Brick. "Then do what you have to do, just make sure you come back to me," I whisper, and feel him kiss the top of my head.

"Always, Sweetness. Always."

Eighteen

Brick

Ever since Dalywas able to get away from the rail yard after murdering Wendy, I've been on the hunt for him. I let Dutch know what happened, and he swore to me that the second he got his hands on him, I'd be one of his first calls. I wasn't sure that I could believe him. In the past, the relationship between the BCMC and the Seven-Oh-Sevens has been shaky at best.

I'm not sure if it's because Dutch feels like he owes me, but he's true to his word. The second I got the text message that Daly was on his way to Dutch, I knew I had to move fast. There was no way I was going to let this motherfucker get away from me again.

At first, I wanted to go alone, but even in my intense anger, I knew that wasn't the best move. I promised Luna I'd come back to her alive. I intend to make good on that promise.

I stand in front of the Seven-Oh-Seven's apartment complex, taking in the sight of the crumbling building. It’s a shell of its former self, paint peeling off the walls, windows boarded up, anda sense of decay hanging in the air. The stench of mildew and something far worse clings to the atmosphere, mingling with the faint odor of rotting garbage piled in the alley. I can see vermin scurrying around the trash, rats darting in and out of the shadows, as if they own the place.

I feel Torch and Hook flanking me, their presence solid and reassuring, but my focus is laser-sharp. I didn’t want the whole club here; I didn’t want Dutch to think this was an attack. No, this is personal. This is about retribution. My fists clench at my sides as the rage boils just beneath the surface.

Every instinct tells me to storm in, to find Daly and make him pay for what he’s done. I can almost taste the violence, the sweet release of finally getting my hands on him. I want to feel the thrill of confrontation, the satisfaction of revenge. The thoughts swirl in my head, and I force myself to breathe, to remain calm. For now.

“Let’s move,” I say, my voice low and steady, cutting through the thick tension in the air. I step forward, my boots crunching on the debris littering the ground. The door hangs crookedly on its hinges, a gaping mouth inviting us into the belly of the beast.

As I push through, the darkness inside swallows us. The hallway is dimly lit, flickering lights casting shadows that dance on the walls. The air is heavy, thick with the scent of neglect and despair. I can hear the distant sounds of shouting and laughter echoing from somewhere deep within the building, a reminder that life goes on in this hellhole.

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