Page 29 of Brick's Retribution

"That, and others." I finger the medallion around my neck. "I was five when I watched men gun down my mother and brother in our own home. After something like that, everything else is just... Tuesday."

His expression shifts, softens almost immediately. "I'm sorry."

There it is again—that simple sincerity that bypasses all my defenses.

I turn away, uncomfortable with the way things suddenly seem to shift for us.

"We should eat something before we move on," I say, changing the subject. "No telling when we'll get another chance."

He accepts the deflection, turning to retrieve protein bars and some beef jerky from his saddlebag.

We eat in silence, each lost in our own thoughts.

The protein bar tastes like cardboard and chemicals, but I force it down, knowing I'll need the energy.

Brick checks his phone for the time. "We'll head out in twenty minutes. There's a town about thirty miles southeast. We can find a place to hole up for a few hours, maybe get some real food instead of this shit."

I nod, trying to ignore my aching muscles."What's our cover story?"

"Couple on a road trip," he says without hesitation. "Exploring the back country. Got lost, need a place to crash for the night."

"Will they believe that?" I gesture to his prospect cut, my designer clothes—hardly the typical tourists.

He nods, then shrugs off his cut, folding it carefully and storing it in one of the saddlebags.

Without it, in just a plain black t-shirt, he looks less like an outlaw biker and more like a ruggedly handsome adventurer.

"Better?"

I nod, unable to deny that he's even more attractive without the leather vest.

The t-shirt clings to his broad chest and shoulders, revealing the full extent of his muscular build.

The man is built like a brick wall—appropriate, given his nickname.

He gestures to my outfit. "You’re still good, look like a typical girlfriend. The flannel is fine, jacket is good."

The tension between us shifts, taking on a different quality.

For a breath, two, we simply look at each other, the danger momentarily forgotten as awareness crackles between us.

He breaks the connection first, clearing his throat and turning back to the motorcycle. "We should go. Stay close once we hit town. Don't draw attention."

I nod, gathering myself.

This is no time for... whatever that was.

We're running for our lives, pursued by unknown enemies with unknown motives.

Attraction is a distraction we can't afford right now.

As I climb back onto the bike behind him, fitting myself against his body, I can't help but notice how perfectly we seem to fit together.

My arms wrap around his waist, my chest pressed against his broad back, my thighs cradling his.

The engine roars to life, vibrating between us.

In the darkness, with only the motorcycle's headlight illuminating the path ahead, we could be anyone—a couple on an adventure, not a cartel princess and her unlikely protector fleeing for their lives.

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