Page 94 of Boulder's Weight

When did it start feeling so real?

I shake off the confusing thoughts and decide to find something productive to do.

Not doing anything only gives my fears room to grow.

In the main area, I notice Brick sitting alone at a table, cleaning a gun.

I hesitate, then approach him.

Though we've never spoken much, he's been assigned as my secondary protection detail when Boulder can't be with me.

"Mind if I join you?" I ask.

He looks up, surprise flickering in his eyes before he nods. "Free country, I guess."

I sit across from him, watching as he disassembles, cleans, and reassembles the weapon.

There's something hypnotic about the routine.

"Boulder says you're good," Brick comments after a minute of silence. "That you know your shit when it comes to security and evasion."

I'm surprised by the compliment. "I've had practice."

"Running from your brothers," he states rather than asks.

"Yeah."

Brick nods, focusing on what he’s doing. "Family's complicated."

"That's putting it mildly," I say with a humorless laugh. "What about yours?"

He shrugs, a gesture that seems designed to appear casual but doesn't quite succeed. "Don't have much. Mom died when I was young. Dad's in prison."

I look at him with new interest. "Mine too. Well, until he dies, apparently."

Brick's eyes meet mine, a flash of understanding passing between us. "Shitty dad club, then."

"Founding members," I agree, and we share a small smile at the dark joke.

"Boulder's a good man," Brick says suddenly, his attention returning to his gun. "It’s been an honor to be a prospect by his side."

I'm not sure how to respond to what he’s saying.

Is he kissing ass, or being genuine? Who knows. "Yeah, he is a good man."

"He's different since you showed up," Brick continues, his voice casual but his words deliberate. "More focused. Less reckless."

"So I've heard," I murmur, remembering Oakleigh and Astra's said something similar.

"It's a good thing," Brick says, snapping the final piece of his gun back into place. "Makes him better at his job. Makes him better, period."

I study Brick curiously. "Why are you telling me this?"

He meets my gaze directly. "Because you should know the effect you have on him. And because if you're playing some game with him, you should stop. Now."

My back stiffens at what he’s implying. "I'm not playing games."

"Good," Brick says simply. "Because that man, he’d burn down the world for you. I've seen how he looks at you, Kelsey. And that kind of loyalty deserves the same in return."

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