by Karen Renee
Kenzie
WHEN I PULLED UP MY drive, Caleb’s car sat to one side.
“Daddy’s here,” Aubrey cried from the backseat.
“You’re right,” I said, even though I knew this couldn’t be good.
Aubrey scrambled out of the car as soon as I cut off the engine. She ran to Caleb and hugged him. “Hi, Daddy!”
“Hi, sweetheart. Where have you been?”
She grinned up at him. “The hospital. Mr. Brute is teaching me card scents.”
Caleb shot an unhappy look at me, but I ignored it.
“It’s card-smarts, honey.”
She looked at me, her arms still wrapped around Caleb. “It’s the same as common scent, right?”
I smiled. “Yes, but it’s ‘sense,’ no ‘t.’”
She did a big nod as she said, “Oh, I get it.”
“So, you and your boyfriend are teaching her to play cards?”
I nodded. “It was Go Fish, Caleb, but yes, we were playing cards.”
He pursed his lips, and I knew he was disappointed he couldn’t make a bigger deal out of this.
“Any special reason you came by?”
His expression shifted to a smile which looked more like a grimace. “Can we go inside?”
“Sure.”
Inside the house, I insisted Aubrey go take her bath and get ready for bed. She whined, but I couldn’t let Caleb’s surprise visit derail our nightly routine. I quickly set up the water for her, and found Caleb sitting at the kitchen island.
“She started taking showers at my place,” he said.
I nodded. “She mentioned that. So, what brings you by?”
He looked like he swallowed his tongue for a long moment. I couldn’t imagine what he had to feel awkward about. “I’m sorry.”
“Pardon?”
He sighed. “I’m sorry about dropping by your office unannounced today. And for apparently being a jerk while I was there.”
Part of me wanted to ask if he was playing a prank, but the regret in his voice couldn’t be denied.
“I accept your apology. May I ask what brought it on?”
A slight grin curled his lips. “Veronica and I had our first marriage counseling session. I... might have flown off the handle and mentioned dropping by the bank to find out you’d been shot.”
My eyebrows arched. “That seems kind of random. I mean, why would that come up during a counseling session—”
“It just did,” he snapped, then took a deep breath. “Sorry. It’s been pointed out that I’m not an easy guy to live with sometimes.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“Are you sure about this guy?”
I turned my head a bit, trying to get a read on Caleb. His eyes showed genuine concern.
With a nod, I said, “Yes. I love him.”
His brows drew together. “That isn’t the gunshot talking, is it? I mean, that’s a big trauma, and you just started dating him.”
I chuckled. “That’s a fair point, but I told him I loved him the night before the shooting, so no. It isn’t the trauma or anything.”
He looked at me askance. “It took over a year before you told me you loved me.”
I shrugged. “We were young. Well, I was definitely young. And I was too scared to admit to being in love, especially since I thought it might drive you away.”
He mouthed the word, ‘wow,’ then caught my eyes. “Wait. Telling this guy you love him didn’t drive him away?”
“No. But, that probably was prevented by the gunshot drama.”
“He’s good with Aubs?”
I grinned. “Yeah, he is.”
“She never stops talking about motorcycles now, so he’s made an impression.”
I lifted a finger. “No. That is compliments of Stephanie, his former stepsister.”
“But she said he gave her a ride—”
“Yes, but only because Aubrey was so determined to ride on Stephanie’s bike. He made her realize safety is extremely important.”
He stood and stepped closer to me. “He’s a criminal, though.”
I shook my head. “He’s never been convicted. And, even if I’m splitting hairs, he hasn’t done anything illegal since I’ve met him. Unless you count breaking the speed limit, but really... you and I break that particular law all the time.”
“Kenzie—”
“Caleb, he would never hurt my girl. And he would never hurt me, either.”
“You know this after a month and a half?”
“That he would keep me and Aubrey safe? You bet.”
The patter of Aubrey’s feet on the hardwood floors interrupted us. “All clean! And I brushed my teeth, Mommy.”
“Excellent.”
She looked between us. “Can Daddy read the next chapter of The Magic Treehouse?”
I arched a brow at Caleb. “If he has time, sure.”
AT NINE-TWENTY, I UNCORKED a bottle of white wine and poured a glass. Caleb had left forty-five minutes ago, and even though I didn’t go to work I felt like I’d pulled a twelve-hour shift.
As I swallowed the first sip, my cell rang. A number I didn’t recognize was displayed, but I thought it might be the hospital.
“Hello?”
“Hey, darlin’,” Brute greeted.
I smiled. “I was just about to call you.”
“With Aubrey here, I didn’t get the chance to tell you, Strickland’s been picked up.”
My jaw dropped. “That’s great news!”
He made a skeptical noise. “Don’t be so sure, babe. The detective said Strickland’s being held, but didn’t say he’d been arrested.”
I scoffed. “That could have changed by now, couldn’t it?”
He hesitated. “Maybe, but don’t forget Strickland’s been feeding Tovar info and bullshit for a while. Seems internal affairs is looking into Tovar, but I wouldn’t put it past him to do what he can to get Strickland released.”
“Well, so much for my excitement.”
He chuckled. “Sorry. But, I also wanted to be sure you’re taking care. You keep that house lit like a Christmas tree, babe. And be certain your doors are locked. Why you don’t have a security system baffles me, but we’ll get on that tomorrow.”
My head reared back. “Uh, ‘we’? You get out of the hospital tomorrow. You’re not going to be putting in a security system right—”
“Block, you met him after Thanksgiving, he’s the burly bald guy. But he’s good with security systems, and I’ll have him hook you up.”
“I’ll be at work tomorrow.”
“We’ll figure it out, Kenzie. It’s important. And, I don’t know if you noticed this last night, but we’ve got a prospect keeping watch at the end of your drive.”
“What?” I asked, moving to the front of the house.
He must have heard my footsteps. “Don’t peek at him, Zee.”
“Fine,” I huffed, but grinned. “You know me awfully well for only spending six weeks with me.”
“You say that like it’s a problem.”
“No. I guess Caleb dropping by has me thinking about it.”
“You talking about this morning?”
“No. That’s why I was going to call you. He was here when Aubrey and I got home.”
“What the hell for?” he growled.
I grinned because I loved when he got growly. “To apologize, of all things. Can you believe it?”
“Yes. Because that’s the right thing to do.”
“Well, it seems he’s opened his eyes, and maybe even his mind, to you.”
“Are pigs flying and I can’t see them?”
I laughed. “You’re a riot, Sam.”
“Nope. I’m in the Riot. But seriously, what brought that on?”
“His first marriage counseling session with Veronica. Guess he snapped when she pointed out he’s a tough guy to live with and... well, he didn’t give me specifics. But he said I was mentioned. So my hunch is that the counselor pointed out how he’s somet
imes inconsiderate.”
“You’re talkin’ to me, Zee. Don’t sugarcoat shit.”
I peeked down the dim hallway. “Well, I might have put Aubs to bed an hour ago, but that never means she’s fast asleep –this time of year especially. So, I wouldn’t put it past her to tip toe out here and eavesdrop.”
“Christ. Don’t tell her that Stephanie’s a master at eavesdropping.”
I laughed. “I shouldn’t share, but I think it’s in the female DNA.”
He chuckled. I debated what I loved more: the sound of him chuckling without hissing from pain, or the comfortable ease of our conversation. Then I realized it wasn’t a competition because I just plain loved him.
“You okay? You went quiet.”
“Yeah,” I whispered.
“Sure?”
“Yes. If I say any more about it, I’ll get all mushy.”
“Wouldn’t want that, since I can’t hold you while you do it. I’ll see you tomorrow, Kenzie.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Packed a Bigger Punch
Brute
Har slammed the gavel to get everyone’s attention. “I know we’re all happy to have Brute back in the clubhouse, but there’s serious business to discuss, brothers. Yesterday, Detective Dennizen dropped by my shop to say Strickland was being questioned. He also wanted Brute to give him dates and times when he interacted with both Strickland and Tovar.”
There were murmurs around the table. Before Har or Cynic, their Sergeant at Arms, could call everyone to order, the door flew open.
The prospect nearly cowered under the glares of the brothers. “Sorry, man. Really. But you gotta turn on the TV. News broke in to report a double shooting. I swear they’re at Strickland’s mom’s house.”
“Are you crazy?” Tiny demanded.
The prospect widened his eyes. “Respect, but I sat outside that place for hours for over two weeks. And, they’re saying it’s an officer-involved shooting.”
Cynic stood, glowering at the Prospect. “Fine. Thanks for the info, prospect. Now, shut the doors.”
Brute watched as Block dug a remote out of a credenza along the back wall. He aimed it at a small flat-screen mounted to the right of the doorway.
Once he found the right channel, a tall, African-American reporter stared solemnly into the camera. “We’re waiting for an official statement from the Biloxi Police Department. At this time, neighbors tell us multiple gunshots were heard just before noon today. The coroner’s van is on the scene, which indicates at least one fatality, but that is unconfirmed.”
Remote still aimed at the TV, Block pointed an incredulous look at Brute. “This can’t be. Weeks of that fucker givin’ you grief, and he and Tovar have a shoot-out? I can’t believe that shit.”
“One less thing to worry about, if you ask me,” Tiny said.
“Not so fast,” Roman said, eyes on Tiny.
Everyone looked to Har, when he spoke. “Roman’s right. It could be any officer in that house, and for all we know, it’s Strickland’s mom who fired shots. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Block shook his head. “Yeah, I get that, but why’d Roman say ‘not so fast’? He know something the rest of us don’t?”
Har gave a half-nod. “You might say that. Roman, why don’t you tell them.”
Roman nodded. “I found out more last night, but for the past week I’ve suspected I was being followed.”
Tiny slapped the table. “Jesus! Why would Strickland want to follow you?”
Roman shook his head. “Wasn’t Strickland.”
Brute narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
Roman stared at Brute for a long moment, and he knew Roman wanted to keep this to himself for some reason. “They’ve made an approach.”
Brute closed his eyes because at least four brothers turned sharp eyes on Roman. But it was Block who spoke.
“What’s this ‘they’ bullshit? Don’t you mean he?” Block paused, then chuckled. “Fuck me. A woman has been following you?”
Roman frowned. “Didn’t say that. The—”
“You didn’t have to,” Tiny said before he slammed his fist on the table. “We got nothing to worry about if some pussy’s following you.”
Roman looked down the table to Tiny. “Never underestimate a woman. She has video proof of me, and you, as it so happens, setting a fire which authorities mistakenly pinned on Wreck. The last thing we need is for that evidence to end up in the hands of the BPD.”
Tiny’s expression went stony. “Then we take her out.”
“No,” Roman snapped.
Brute whipped his head toward Roman. “What? You can’t stand underhanded women.”
Roman looked at Brute from the corner of his eye. “I can’t. But this woman deserves a lesson, not a killing or even a beat-down.”
Tiny slammed the table with his palm. “You’re always looking for your next piece of ass. But brother, I am not goin’ down because you want some gash.”
Roman whipped his head toward Tiny, and Brute noticed a muscle ticking along his jaw. “She’s not gash, and I don’t want a single piece of her. You’re not the only one who doesn’t want to serve time. I won’t let it come to that.”
Block pointed a stubby finger at Roman. “That should be ‘we won’t let it come to that.’”
Roman looked to Har, who gave another half-nod. “She needs a lesson. I’ll damn well teach it to her.”
Har cleared his throat. “We’re staying out of it so Roman handle it. But the moment things go south, we’re nipping this shit in the bud.”
“Because there’s a woman involved,” Tiny grumbled.
Har stared at him. “Because he’s a brother with a plan, Tiny.”
“THAT BLOND KID OVER there’s Corbin, isn’t he?” Brute whispered in Aubrey’s ear.
She turned wide eyes toward him. “How did you know?”
The way the kid’s father kept stealing glances at Kenzie was a dead giveaway, but he couldn’t tell Aubrey that. “Lucky guess.”
Kenzie wandered over from a line of tables loaded with food. Before she settled in the pew, she gave Aubrey a double take. “You have to join your den, honey.”
“Okay, but Brute’s going to help me roast S’mores, so you won’t have to, Mommy.”
“Fantastic. Look, Zoey just came in.”
Aubrey scrambled past Kenzie, and joined her friend.
Kenzie scooted close to him. “Thank you for coming to her Scouts banquet. You must be bored out of your mind. I’m sorry.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “Are you kidding? Laying in the hospital is the epitome of being bored. Besides, I’m enjoying this.”
She gave him a quizzical look. “Things haven’t even started.”
He chuckled while giving her a squeeze. “That’s what you think. Jared won’t be standing so close to you any more, that’s for certain.”
She looked around just as Jared shot another disgusted look at Brute.
He felt her gaze on him. When he failed to look at her, she nudged him and he gave her his eyes.
“Did you say something to him?”
He chuckled. “Babe, we got here five minutes ago. If he hadn’t been staring at us so hard when we walked in, I wouldn’t know him from Adam. But the way he’s been watching you told me exactly who he is. Though Aubrey confirmed it.”
Her jaw dropped. “You asked her?”
“No. I asked if the kid with him was Corbin.”
Her lips tipped up. “You are way too slick.”
He groaned, but leaned closer to her. “Don’t leave me openings for double entendres.”
An hour later, they gathered around a bonfire. Brute held a two-pronged roasting skewer loaded with marshmallows over the fire. “What color do you want, Aubrey?”
“What?”
He glanced down at her. “You want golden, golden-brown, brownish-black, or burnt?”
She giggled. “Burnt isn’t a color, but I like golden-brown.”
As if on cue, Jared and Corbin sidled up next to them. Jared gave Aubrey a pointed look. “Where’s your dad, Aubrey?”
“He works extra hard before Christmas so he can take the year off.”
“That would be the rest of the year, honey,” Kenzie said from behind them.
Aubrey turned to her. “Oh! You have the chocolate.”
“Is this your brother, Miss Kenzie?” Jared asked.
Brute gave him a look that said he had to be joking, but Jared only had eyes for Kenzie.
“This is Mommy’s boyfriend,” Aubrey said.
Jared stared at him, and Brute didn’t move a muscle. But his heart swelled as he fell in love with Aubrey.
“You ready for Christmas, Corbin?” Kenzie asked.
Jared looked away first, and Brute examined the marshmallows. “Get ready, Aubs. These jokers are roasted.”
Kenzie
FROM THE BACKSEAT AUBREY asked, “Can I be the flower girl at your wedding?”
Thank goodness we were in the driveway because my foot fell on the brake pedal like a lead weight. The car didn’t lurch, much, and Brute shot me a reproachful look.
I parked the car, and turned to face Aubrey.
Yet, when I opened my mouth, Brute spoke. “You bet, darlin’.”
I looked at him, my mouth agape. Shaking it off, I turned back to Aubrey. Even in the dimness of the car, her enormous smile lit up her face. “It’s late, we’ll talk about it more another time.”
Twenty minutes later, I left Aubrey to take her bath. Brute was stretched out on the couch with his eyes closed. I left him be since I didn’t know if I wanted to discuss his spontaneous and outlandish response to Aubrey or not.
“You better not be avoiding me,” he said, his eyes still closed.
“Wouldn’t say that. You want something to drink?”
“Am I sleepin’ over?”
I hung my head, wondering why I didn’t drive him home first. When I got in my car after the banquet, I simply went on autopilot.
“Babe, I was joking,” he said, sitting up.
I shook my head. “I should’ve driven you—”
“A prospect can pick me up.”
“You rely an awful lot on prospects,” I muttered.
He chuckled. “They gotta earn their way into the club. Chauffeuring me around is nothing. Come over here.”