Page 1 of Brick's Redemption

Chapter 1 Brick

Fifteen years earlier—

“You think she’ll like this?” Hesh asks, holding up a silver bracelet with dangling charms. A unicorn, an open book, and a flower are all hooked on it. “I don’t know if this is enough.” He frowns. “I think I need more.”

Shrugging, I have no idea how to answer. What do I know about a thirteen-year-old girl’s preferences?

“Shit. Give me some advice.” He gestures to the different charms and ignores the saleswoman, who taps her fingers on the glass and begins to look impatient.

I point to a star and a dog. “She likes stargazing and her dog.”

He nods. “Yeah. Okay, I’ll add those. Any others?”

I’m still not sure why he brought me along on this shopping trip for his daughter’s birthday. Ginny is a kid. A sweet kid, but still. I don’t want it to be weird that I notice things about her. It’s not that I’m checking her out. We’ve just had some interesting conversations. And when Brick told me to protect and watch over Ginny, I’ve done so, no questions asked.

Can’t help it if I know she likes caramel candy, keeps a handful in her purse, loves the outdoors like her old man, or sings off-key to her favorite songs. He’s the one who ordered me to keep an eye on her.

I peruse the charms, checking if there’s anything else she might like. I spot two more. “The ice cream cone and the heart. From you,” I hastily clarify.

Hesh smirks. “Yeah.”

I gesture to the plain ones. “Maybe get her name engraved or something.”

He grins. “I got just the thing.” While he’s spelling out what he wants engraved, I move along the cases. My stare falls on the expensive watches and other jewelry.

It doesn’t take long for his purchase to be completed, paid, and gift-wrapped. We leave the store with plenty of time to spare for Ginny’s thirteenth birthday party later today.

“You’re comin’, right?”

Uh. Maybe? “Hesh,” I begin, trying to find an excuse.

“Hey, I get she’s young, but this day is important to me. I want you there to help celebrate.”

Well, when he puts it like that. “Will there be beer?”

He chuckles. “Yeah. We’re keeping it in the fridge, separate from the coolers outside. Don’t want any kids sneaking shit on my watch.”

“Smart.”

“So, you’ll come?”

“Yeah.”

He slaps me on the back. “Good.”

Both of our phones vibrate with an incoming text. I check mine as Hesh flips his open.

“Church.”

I nod. “Pres wants us there asap.”

“Then we ride out. Let’s move.”

By the time we return to the clubhouse, we’re the last to arrive.

Thorn gestures to the seat as we enter. “About fucking time.”

He calls the meeting to order, and I sit at the table, glancing around at the men I’ve come to know and call brothers. We’re a ragtag bunch from different walks of life, experiences, and past traumas, but we’re bonded in ways most people will never understand.

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