by Freya Barker
Tse hasn’t quite come to a full stop when I jump out and start running and slipping down the boat launch.
“Brick! Brick!” I yell as loud as I can, scanning the waterline to my right and left to see if he’s climbed ashore.
Then I look back at the roof of the truck and it doesn’t even take a fraction of a second to make the decision.
I kick off my boots and jump into the freezing water.
CHAPTER 17
Lisa
“SIT DOWN.”
I shake my head at Nosh. If I have to sit any longer I’ll go nuts.
“I have to do something.”
He nods his understanding.
Thank God Finn is still blissfully unaware, sleeping in the stroller. Wapi is sitting at the bar, my eyes briefly meeting his serious ones before I duck into the kitchen.
I’m just pulling vegetables out of the large fridge for a hearty soup when Lissie walks in. I barely have the chance to drop the produce on the counter before I’m wrapped up in a bone-crushing hug.
“He’s fine,” she says, looking me in the eye. “You’ll see, it’s gonna be one of those stupid things you’ll be laughing about later.”
“I know,” I lie, just like I know she was. I can see the concern in her eyes.
“Okay, Nosh has the babies, Yuma is doing whatever Yuma does when he’s in biker mode, so I’m here to help. What are we cooking?”
What an unexpected, amazing friend Lissie has become. Already she knows me well enough to guess I’ve got to keep my hands moving.
Unfortunately, that still doesn’t keep my mind from churning out the worst scenarios. Top of the list is whoever killed Kelsey may have gotten their hands on Brick, and that puts the fear of God in me. People who don’t think twice to kill a young woman and her child, surely won’t blink an eye killing a silver-haired biker.
I’m not a fan of guns, but right now I wish I’d learned to shoot one.
For the past hour or so, Lissie and I have barely spoken while working side by side in the kitchen. The soup is simmering on the stove, and I have all the ingredients set out for a large pan of cornbread to put together closer to dinnertime.
I glance at the clock, it’s coming up on two. We should’ve heard by now.
Inside Finn suddenly starts crying and I’m almost relieved for something to do. I pull a bottle from the fridge, but Lissie pulls it from my hand.
“I’ll take care of this.”
Her eyes dart over my shoulder and I turn to find Yuma in the doorway, his face grim.
“Need you to come with me, Lisa.”
My knees almost buckle, but I force them straight.
“Finn needs—”
“I’ve got Finn, you go with Yuma.”
“But the kids are gonna be—”
“I’ve got it,” Lissie says softly behind me, giving me a little shove in my back.
My first steps feel like I’m wading through water.
Ouray
Fuck, that’s cold.
I keep my eyes peeled on the roof of the truck as I swim closer, my strokes already slowing down. At first I don’t see anything but when I get closer I notice him. He’s in the driver’s side; his head tilted back, face above the waterline.
Jesus, he has no color left.
I try the door, but it won’t budge. I turn my head to yell at Tse, but he’s already swimming toward me. Between the two of us we’re able to wrangle the door open and Tse is already leaning in, feeling for a pulse.
“I can’t f-feel anything, m-man.”
“Get him out,” I grind between my chattering teeth.
Lisa
“Tell me.”
Yuma turns to me as he starts his truck.
“Kaga called. They found the truck in the reservoir, Brick behind the wheel.” I suck in air through my teeth, my hands clenched in my lap. “They got him out, alive, but barely. He’s in the ambulance on his way to Mercy.”
Words won’t come but I nod and lock the fear that threatens to overwhelm me down. No time for that. He’s alive; that’s what I’m holding on to.
The drive to the hospital is a blur. When we get there, Yuma helps me out of his truck, keeping his arm tightly around me as he walks me into the emergency entrance. The moment we come through the door I see Ouray walking toward us, pulling me from Yuma’s hold into his arms.
“We just got here. He’s alive, darlin’,” his deep voice rumbles somewhere over my head. “He’s in good hands. They’re working on him now.”
He guides me to a waiting area and urges me to sit. Then he takes the seat beside me, Yuma sitting down on my other side; the two large men like pillars holding me up.
In a low voice Ouray recounts how they found him and managed to pull him from the water.
“He’s hypothermic. I have no idea how long he was in the water for, but according to Sumo long enough to lower his body temperature to a dangerous level.”
“How did he get in the water?”
Yuma asked the question but I’ve been thinking it.
“He had help.”
I swing my head around to look at Ouray.
“What does that mean?”
“Another vehicle had been there. We saw the tracks.”
Someone did that to him. Like someone ran his daughter and grandson off the side of the road.
Finn.
“The kids!”
I surge to my feet but Ouray pulls me back.
“Sit down, Lisa. They’re looked after. My guys are there and Luna has a team heading to the compound.”
I do as he says, and take my seat. I’m torn, wanting to be with my babies but needing to stay close to Brick as well. Ouray’s hand lands on my knee just as Sumo walks into the waiting area, looking at me as he crouches down before me.
“The attending will come to talk to you in a bit, but I thought I’d come and let you know what’s going on. They’re working to get his core temperature up, which was dangerously low. Right now they’re hooking him up to a heart bypass machine, which withdraws his blood, warms it, and then feeds it back into his body. It’s one of the most effective ways to warm him up safely.”
“Is he gonna to be okay?” I can’t help ask, desperate for good news.
“The fact he’s alive is a testament to his strength,” he says gently.
I note he avoids answering my question.
Brick
“Wake up, Mr. Paver.”
The voice is unfamiliar as is the hand on my shoulder.
I struggle to open my eyes but it feels like they’re glued shut. A steady beep can be heard but it sounds muffled, like I’m underwater. Sudden panic grabs me and I feel my body jerk.
“You’re all right, Brick. You’re gonna be okay.”
That voice I recognize. Rich and soothing. I try opening my eyes again and this time I manage a crack, but bright light has me force them shut again.
“Turn off the damn light.” Ouray.
A hand grabs mine and I try to wrap my fingers around it.
“Try again, honey.”
It takes a minute for her face to come into focus, but when it does a surge of emotion blurs her again. My last thoughts had been of her; cursing myself for the two years I wasted waiting for the right time, before I gave in to the darkness.
“Lisa.” I only manage a whisper.
“I’m right here,” she says, her lips moving against the back of my hand.
I can feel that. I’m starting to feel a lot of other things too; pain, for one.
Blinking my eyes a few times, I scan the dim room, spot a nurse on the other side of my bed, and encounter Ouray’s grim face at the foot end.
“Good to see you, brother.”
“Likewise. You need to—”
I’m launched into a coughing fit.
“Let’s have you sit up a little,” the nurse says. “Looks like you may have inhaled some water.”
She cranks the bed up and I immediately feel a little better. Then she li
fts a cup with a straw to my mouth.
“Warm tea. Probably not your favorite, but it’ll soothe.”
Tastes like warm piss to me, but I sip it anyway.
The woman asks me a few standard questions to gauge my mental capacity, then tells me a doctor will come and talk to me about my condition. The moment she leaves the room I turn to Lisa.
“What condition?”
“You came in with severe hypothermia,” Ouray answers instead. “Some of your toes and the fingertips of your left hand are frostbitten.” That explains the pain. “The doctor’s guess is you were in the water for quite some time before we got to you. You’re on an IV with fluids and antibiotics.”
Memories flood back of being submerged with concrete blocks on my chest time and time again.
“There were four of them. One waved me down, light hair, light eyes, clean-shaven, late twenties, early thirties.” I pause and take another sip from the tea Lisa is now holding to my lips. “Wasn’t until he pulled a gun on me I saw the three others. Those three wore balaclavas, two with assault rifles. The one interrogating me had brown eyes, almost black. Raspy voice.”
“Interrogating you?”
“Yeah. About a key.” I glance over at Lisa, who is listening intently, and I squeeze the hand I’m still holding in mine. For her sake I refrain from going into detail and limit it to, “Tried some creative waterboarding, but since I don’t fucking know anything about a key, I had nothin’ to say. Went on for quite a while.”
“Fuck, man. I thought you hit your face on the steering wheel going into the water, but I’m guessing that was them too?”
I meet his eyes so he can read my answer.
“You may wanna call your wife. They mentioned Sophia, someone’s gotta check on her.”
I feel Lisa’s hand spasm in mine as Ouray walks to the door.
Half an hour later, I’m recounting the snippets of conversation I recall, before passing out, to Luna and her boss, SAC Damian Gomez. They’ve already spoken to Sophia and alerted a team in Oregon to watch over her. Agents Greene and Barnes are at the Arrow’s Edge compound keeping an eye out there.
“This key; did they ever mention to what?”
“No. I keep thinking maybe Kelsey put something in a locker somewhere? Maybe a post office box?”
“You didn’t get any mail?”
I shake my head.
“Could be a USB-key,” Luna volunteers.
“Don’t have any of those either,” I admit. “Don’t even have a computer.”
“Anything else?” her boss pushes for more.
“They’re organized,” I inform them. “Professional, almost military. The guy doing the talking was clearly in charge. Built, about my height. Cold and calculated.”
“Any distinguishing features? Or clothes?” This from Luna, who’s been taking notes.
“No. All similar gear. GORE-TEX jackets, heavy boots, but no markings I could see.”
“Did you see what they were driving?”
I shake my head. I never did see a vehicle.
“If you think of anything, give Agent Roosberg or myself a call,” Gomez instructs me, then he turns to Ouray. “Walk with us?”
He nods at Lisa while Luna gives her a quick hug, whispering something to her. Then they’re gone and I’m alone with her.
“Them bastards tortured you,” she whispers, her head lowered and her body almost vibrating with emotion, although I’m not sure if it’s from fear or anger.
“Sugar, I’m fine.”
Her head snaps up, eyes spitting fire.
“You are not—”
“Mr. Paver, how are you feeling?”
A doctor, followed by the same nurse from earlier, walks in.
“Better,” I answer.
“Good. You weren’t in the best condition when you came in and we weren’t sure which way you were going to go. You’ve got a strong heart, Mr. Paver. Now, right now, your biggest problem is your toes and the fingers of your left hand.” I look at the gauze-covered fingers. “We warmed those even as we were warming your blood. We’ll have to wait to see the full extent of the damage done. I suspect your case to be mild, but it’s possible you’ll see blistering on the affected areas. We’re going to keep you here and see what it looks like in a few days; then we’ll make a decision on what to do.
“We also want to make sure you’re able to clear your lungs yourself, and have you finish the regimen of antibiotics before we send you home.”
Not looking forward to spending any time in here, but I’m also not stupid; if I insist on leaving now, I only become a liability to my family who already has their hands full.
“Fair enough.”
Lisa is still looking at me funny when we’re once again alone.
“What?”
“Didn’t think you’d be so agreeable.”
“Not gonna fight them on this, Sugar. I’m guessing I’ve given you all enough worry. Not gonna add to it.” Lisa’s eyes go liquid and she immediately turns her head away. “Come here, baby.” I tug on her hand with my good one, but she doesn’t budge. “Come lie down with me.”
“Bed’s too small for my fat ass,” she mumbles.
“Your ass is perfect and I’ll move over. Need to feel you close for a minute.”
She doesn’t resist this time when I tug on her hand, and I scoot over as far as I can so she can lie down beside me. I curl my arm around her and pull her close, shoving my face in her hair and breathing deep.
“Didn’t think I’d see you again,” I croak, my throat closing with emotion.
“Don’t say that.”
Her hands curls into the hospital gown I’m wearing and her face presses into my chest.
“Last thought I had was how much time I wasted. Was hanging on to the edge of tomorrow and almost lost it all.”
“Don’t…”
“Not gonna take that chance again, Lisa. You gotta know I love you.”
The heat of her tears soaks through the thin fabric.
“I know.”
CHAPTER 18
Lisa
I DIDN’T WANT to leave his side, but he gently reminded me of the kids.
According to the doctor, he’ll be here at least another day or two, and I can hardly leave the kids without seeing us for that long.
Durango PD posted an officer outside his room, in case whoever tried to kill him found out they weren’t successful and returned to finish the job. I shiver at the thought. Life without Brick is already unimaginable.
“You okay?” Ouray asks over his shoulder, navigating the truck Kaga and Tse dropped off earlier through Durango.
“No,” I tell him honestly. “I’m at a loss what to do. Kids have school tomorrow; do I let ‘em go? Will they be safe? Will Brick? I wanna be two places at once, but I can’t.”
He grabs one of my hands from my lap and gives it a squeeze.
“We’ll keep the kids home for now, until we get this mess figured out. Lissie will help with them and so can Nosh. Most of the brothers will be staying at the compound as well. We’ll have a guard at the gate around the clock.”
“What about the FBI?”
“They’re around, keeping an eye out.” He gives my hand a reassuring pat and puts his back on the steering wheel. “You hungry?” he asks, and I feel his eyes on me.
I haven’t eaten since…breakfast?
“Not really, but I can put something together when we get home.”
“I’m gonna swing by Sonic, I’m hungry. What would you like?”
Just like Ouray, to find a way to make sure I eat.
“I’ll have a cheeseburger.”
I automatically grab for my purse, but it’s not there and I remember running out of the clubhouse without taking it.
“I’ve got it, Lisa. Drink?”
“Sweet tea is fine.”
He pulls into the drive-thru and places our order. He catches me glancing at the dashboard clock, which shows eight forty-five.
; “Relax. Won’t take more than ten minutes to eat and another ten to get home. Just breathe for a few minutes, otherwise you dive from stress into stress and we both know you can’t afford that.”
The reference to my health is unexpected. I caught him watching me a few times this afternoon but I didn’t pay it much attention; I’d been too busy worrying about Brick than to worry about me. Maybe I should’ve.
Ouray is a good man, like Brick. They each have a rough way about them, but with big hearts. I trust both of them to do right by me.
While we wait for the food to be ready, I rest my head back and close my eyes, taking a moment to gauge how I feel. No dizziness and when I put my fingers to my pulse it feels steady and regular. Thank the Lord, last thing we need is me keeling over.
While we’re eating, my mind is going over Brick’s statement to the FBI. That key they’re looking for, Luna mentioned they hadn’t found anything in Kelsey’s car, but what if she put it on the baby somehow? Maybe in the car seat? I’m not sure where it is, the one we’re using Ouray brought when he first picked us up from the hospital with Finn.
“What are you thinking on so hard?” Ouray asks, licking mustard off his fingers.
“Wondering why those guys were so certain Brick had whatever they’re looking for. When you came to fetch us from the hospital with the baby, you brought a car seat, right?”
He looks at me quizzically, the remnants of his burger halfway up to his mouth.
“Went and bought one. EMTs kept him in his original seat when they brought him in to keep him secure, but it had been in an accident so potentially no longer safe. I’m guessing the hospital would’ve discarded it. Are you thinking…shit, never thought of that. Let me give Luna a call, because I’m not sure they have either.”
I finish eating my burger and end up eating most of the extra fries he bought while he calls his wife. Guess I was hungrier than I thought.
“She’s on it. She’ll check with the hospital,” Ouray volunteers when he hangs up. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah. I wanna see my babies.”
When we turn onto the driveway to the compound, I notice the gate closed and lit by floodlights. I jump when a figure steps out of the shadows beside the truck. It’s one of the brothers, Honon. Ouray rolls down the window on my side.