by Karen Renee
Aubrey’s head whipped up to me as she gasped.
I patted her back, hoping to calm her down.
She leaned toward him. “I’m sorry you were hurt, Mr. Brute.”
“Honey, I’m getting better all the time. They said I might go home the day after tomorrow.”
“That’s fabulous news,” I said.
“It is. I’d almost trade my bike for some uninterrupted nighttime sleep.”
“Did you see the bag?” Aubrey asked.
“We brought you some food,” I added.
A mischievous gleam hit his eye. “There marshmallow fluff involved?”
I felt blazing heat in my cheeks. “No. Don’t be silly,” I said, darting my eyes at Aubrey behind her back as a warning to him.
The gleam dulled, but not by much. “Bread pudding?”
I grinned. “No, but I’ll make it if you really want it.”
“I have many things in common with Har. But when it comes to that stuff, I’m with Steph. The more the better, the more often the better.”
I gave him a mock salute. “So noted.”
“Don’t get cute, Zee.”
Aubrey looked over her shoulder at me. “I don’t think he means that the way you do when you say it to me. Because you weren’t being sassy.”
Brute lifted her hand, forcing her eyes back to him. “She was bein’ sassy, but in a different way, sugar.”
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING here?” Lydia yelled from her office.
I shot her a look, and she shoved out of her chair.
“I know you’re turning yourself around and going home, Whitehall.”
I shook my head, then walked to my desk.
When I turned around, Lydia stood in front of me.
“Lydia, I don’t need to go home.”
She crossed her arms over her woolly, red sweater. “I know this is not a laughing matter, but if ever there were a time to call-in sick, recovering from a gunshot wound would be it.”
I set my purse and lunch box on my desk. “It was a graze, Lydia. No big deal.”
She threw her hands out to her side, and tilted her head toward the ceiling. “Well, thank God you didn’t go into law enforcement! It’s just a flesh wound, Sarge. I can hear it now.” She leveled her gaze on me. “Go. Home. This time of year, it’s not like you don’t have stockings to stuff and presents to wrap.”
My eyes skittered to the side. It actually wasn’t like that because I hadn’t started my shopping. It had been on my list of things to do after brunch with Brute, but being shot had derailed that plan.
Her eyes narrowed. “You haven’t even started shopping have you? Ha! Go. Get out of here.”
“You were shot?” Caleb asked, from just inside the front doors.
The concern and compassion flooding his face made him as handsome as the day I met him.
The look was short-lived as he arched a knowing brow. “Because of that gang member you’ve introduced to our daughter?”
Anger like I’d never known welled within me, but I knew Brute would tell me to keep my cool. I did my best to be calm, but I still narrowed my eyes at Caleb.
“No, because of the man posing as a private detective who approached you while our daughter was around. He’s the person who shot Sam and grazed me with another bullet, intended for Sam, I’m sure.”
“But if you’d stopped—”
“Am I hearing this right?” Lydia waded in. “She didn’t shoot herself and Sam didn’t do it either. Only a certifiable nut-job shoots people outside their home!”
Caleb looked from Lydia to me. “So, had Aubrey not been with me, she could’ve been shot?”
Leave it to this man to turn things around so he was a savior. Any retort I had would fall on deaf ears. Had Aubrey been with me, Brute probably wouldn’t have spent the night, but I wasn’t going to share that.
“We’ll never know, and that’s far from the point right now. This man is armed and dangerous, Caleb. So if you see him again, call the police. They’re looking for him.”
He stared at me for a long moment, and I knew he wanted to argue some more.
I shook my head. “What brings you by? I need to get to work.”
He looked pointedly at Lydia. “She just said you’re going home. I stopped by to discuss Christmas Eve, and if you’d be dropping off presents from Santa for your daughter.”
“And you couldn’t have called her about that?” Lydia asked.
I turned to her, stunned and impressed. She took the words out of my mouth, but I wasn’t going to say them because it would only anger Caleb.
“That isn’t the point.”
“Isn’t it though? I’ve heard about how you can’t be bothered during your workday, but she should have time for you when you arrive at her workplace?”
I put a hand on Lydia’s arm. “Lydia, if you could excuse us.”
She turned fiery eyes on me. “It’s a double standard, Kenzie. You need to—”
“I know, but this isn’t the time. Besides, the holidays are—”
“Oh, don’t give me that holiday mumbo-jumbo. You let it go now, and it will only get worse after the new year.”
I stared at her sternly for a moment before she turned on her heel and left. “I’ll be by—”
He shook his head. “I’ll just have Ronnie pick up your ‘Santa’ gifts Friday night. It’ll save you a trip.”
“You’re...” I started, but my words trailed off since Caleb stalked out, oblivious to me.
With a sigh, I snatched up my things and called out a goodbye to Lydia as I left the bank.
In my car, I called Brute’s hospital room. It wasn’t even eight-thirty yet, but I wanted to hear his voice. I just hoped I wasn’t waking him up.
“Hello?” he answered in a husky voice.
“Oh, no. Did I wake you?”
He chuckled. “Don’t matter. Someone wakes my ass up every half hour it seems like, so I was due. Besides, you waking me up is well worth it.”
I smiled. “You feel like a visitor? I could bring you breakfast if you want.”
“You all right? You sound funny.”
“I’m fine. See you soon, big guy.”
Twenty minutes later, I sat down next to Brute’s bed and dug food out of the fast food bag.
He unwrapped a breakfast sandwich, but his eyes were steady on me.
I aimed a demure smile his way.
“Spill it, Zee. Something’s up and filling my belly won’t make me ignore it.”
While I doctored my coffee, I spoke. “Caleb dropped by the bank this morning.”
“How would you know that?”
I looked up. “Because I was there. Though—”
“Why in the hell would you go to work after what—”
My eyes widened at him. “Lydia gave me my marching orders the moment I walked in the door. I was being obstinate, we were arguing at my desk and Caleb overheard Lydia say I was shot.”
His eyes skimmed my face like it was an open book. “Take it he wasn’t sympathetic.”
“For the very briefest moment when he first heard, yes. Then...”
Anger suffused his face. “That fucker did not blame you.”
My lips quirked to the side. “He pounced on the fact I didn’t cast you aside, but more than that, he took credit for the fact that Aubrey wasn’t with us.”
His eyes narrowed. “We wouldn’t have been—”
I gave him a closed lip smile. “I know, but I didn’t think he needed to know that.”
“Right,” he muttered.
We ate our sandwiches in silence.
He crumbled his wrapper into a ball. “Aubrey’s at school. What are you gonna do with your day off?”
“I need to hit Target or WalMart. I would’ve bought her Christmas gifts after brunch with you on Saturday, but... well, you know how that went.”
A nurse I hadn’t seen on Sunday bustled into the room. “Good morning. Your husband is recovering fast. Unless the doctor sees somethi
ng wrong, he should be discharged tomorrow. Exciting, right?”
“Oh, he’s not—”
“It is exciting, darlin’,” Brute said, grinning at me.
Someone knocked on the door. “This a bad time?” Har asked.
I leaned over and kissed Brute’s cheek. “I’ll call you later.”
As I left the room, I said to Har, “He’s all yours.”
He nodded at me. When I stepped into the corridor, warm hands wrapped around my biceps to prevent me bumping into someone. I looked up and saw Roman’s golden eyes smiling at me.
“No need to leave on our account, Kenzie.”
Being so close to him nearly left me speechless because he had a rugged handsomeness that took me by surprise. But he didn’t look near as good as Brute.
I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. “It’s not on your account. I’ve got to shop while a certain little girl is at school, if you know what I mean.”
He grinned and his eyes twinkled. “Have fun, then.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Card Smarts
Brute
As the nurse finished taking his vitals, Har settled into the chair Kenzie had vacated.
Once the woman left the room, Har said, “Dennizen dropped by my shop this morning. Strickland’s being held.”
“Held, but not arrested?”
Roman strolled inside the room, and closed the door. “Man might have been stupid to fuck with us, but he wouldn’t be stupid enough to keep a weapon used in attempted murder. Twice.”
He narrowed his eyes at Roman. “Twice?”
Roman’s brows jumped. “Way I see it, what he did to Kenzie was attempted murder, too. Accidental or not, either of those bullets were off by fractions and we’d be at someone’s funeral.”
Brute clenched his jaw because the thought of the world without Kenzie, or Aubrey growing up motherless, made him want to smash things.
“Right,” Har said, drawing Brute’s attention. “Dennizen asked if you would document the times you ran into or were approached by Tovar. And when you were approached by Strickland.”
Brute gave him a side-eye. “Serious?”
Har nodded. “He didn’t say exactly why, but I’m guessing he wants to cross-reference the connection between Tovar and Strickland.”
“I’ll do that. Not like I got anything better to do in this place.” He blew out a sigh. “At least we’re done with Strickland.”
Roman gave him a hard look. “You forget what you said at first? He’s being held, but not arrested. That bastard strikes me as being slippery as fuck, so don’t count on it.”
“You’re a ray of sunshine, Roman,” Brute muttered.
Har and Roman chuckled.
The door flew open, and Meg stormed inside. “You were shot? I mean, I know I’m not that important, but I only found out because I sent Julie a text. She had the courtesy to call me and say her boss had come to visit you here.”
“Lower your voice and cool your jets, woman,” Roman said, turning to her.
She squared her shoulders at him, and it was nearly cute. “I’m sorry, I don’t know if I can do that. It isn’t a normal Monday when you find out your boss got shot over the weekend!”
Roman looked past her to Brute. “She on a probationary period? ’Cause I don’t think she’s star-employee material.”
Brute chuckled, a jolt of pain shooting through him with the movement. “I can see why you’d say that, but I can only imagine how she dealt with Callie. And that makes her a star employee.”
Roman nodded. “True.”
“Meg, go back to the office. Hold down the fort. I left a message with Mr. Brown, but it’d be good if you’re there in case he calls. Or anyone with the city since it’s really unclear why Strickland would take that file.”
She sighed and looked defeated. “All right. But get well soon, Brute. Hospitals are the pits.”
“Shut the door when you go, please,” Har said.
When the door clicked shut, Brute gave Roman a dubious look. “I appreciate the good news about Strickland, but why are you here, Ro?”
“He had dropped by the shop just after Dennizen left, so I invited him to come with me. Thinks he’s being followed,” Har said.
Roman stared out the window for a moment before looking at Brute. “I’m probably just paranoid. Shouldn’t have said anything about it.”
“Fuck that,” Brute muttered. “Why do you think Strickland’s following you?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t say it was Strickland, but if he’s anything like Wreck was he probably doesn’t like people like me.”
Brute narrowed his eyes. “You mean bikers?”
Roman dipped his chin. “No. You know what I mean, people who don’t look exactly like him or what he thinks others should look like.”
“You think he’s got the same—”
“Racism is taught, man. But like I said, I could be paranoid.”
“Your instincts say someone’s tailing you, listen to that instinct,” Har said.
Brute waved a hand at his body. “I would do something about it for you, but I’m not—”
“Shut the fuck up,” Roman chuckled.
He grinned. “You know, Meg might have some choice words for whoever’s tailing you.”
Roman shook his head. “One thing’s for sure. You’re still full of shit. I’m outta here.”
Har looked at the balled-up sandwich wrapper on the side-table. “Glad someone brought you breakfast.”
“Yeah. Don’t let me keep you, man.”
“You’re not keeping me. Want me to come back with lunch?”
“Nah. I’ll survive their food since I get outta here tomorrow. But thanks.”
“Kenzie picking you up?”
“Not sure. Hadn’t talked about it. Her boss sent her home today, but I don’t know if she can swing that tomorrow.”
Har stood. “We’re having church as soon as you’re out. So, if you need a ride—”
Brute nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
“DO YOU HAVE ANY NINES?”
Aubrey’s hazel eyes glittered. “I just asked you for nines!”
He grinned. “Two turns ago, short stuff. I just drew one, so hand ’em over.”
She huffed, then pulled three cards from her hand. “No fair.”
Kenzie tapped the table with her fingernail. “The fair comes to town once a year, girlie-girl. Never expect things to be fair.”
Aubrey leveled shrewd eyes on her mother. “You also tell me to ‘never say never.’”
He fought his lips tipping up because he loved this byplay.
Kenzie’s eyes slid to him for a moment before locking with Aubrey’s. “Good to know something I say to you sinks in, so I stand corrected. I shouldn’t say never. But hear me when I say, life is rarely fair, pumpkin.”
Brute set down his book of nines, and caught Aubrey’s eyes. “Want my pudding? Assuming your mom’s okay with that.”
Her eyes lit up before she whipped her head toward Kenzie. “Can I, Mommy? Please?”
Kenzie sighed. “What do you say?”
Aubrey looked back to him. “Thank you!”
Kenzie smiled at him. “I’m sure Jeopardy! would have been more fun—”
“Are you kidding? Gotta teach card-smarts from a young age, Whitehall. Your girl’s got it.”
Holding a spoonful of chocolate pudding aloft, Aubrey asked, “Does Miss Stephanie have smart cards?”
He swallowed his chuckle. “It’s card-smarts, darlin’, and most of the time Miss Stephanie does, but not always. Why do you ask?”
She swallowed her pudding. “Because I’m gonna be her when I grow up.”
He turned a confused look at Kenzie. “Excuse me?”
She grinned. “She’s taken a shine to your stepsister.”
“Embrace it,” he whispered.
Her grin widened to a smile. “Yeah. I’m not fighting it. If there’s anything motherhood has taught me, it is t
o choose my battles. And this isn’t even close to something I should fight.”
“Good,” he murmured.
She grabbed his hand. “How are you getting home tomorrow?”
He gave her hand a squeeze. “Har’s comin’ to get me. There’s...” he trailed off so he could choose his words with Aubrey right there. “A meeting I have to attend, and we’re both headed to the same place.”
Kenzie nodded. “Say no more.”
“Mr. Brute, you have to come to dinner tomorrow! It’s Taco Tuesday. Mommy’s tacos are the best!”
He kept his face aimed toward Kenzie because he felt a naughty expression wash over him. “I have no doubt about that, darlin’. If things go well tomorrow, I’ll be there.”
A violent blush rose over Kenzie from her collarbone to her forehead. He grunted a chuckle, which got him her glare. Coupled with her blush, it was cuter than normal.
“On that note, pumpkin, I’m sure visiting hours are nearly over. We better jet.”
To his surprise, Aubrey leaned toward him and gave him a hug. He heard Kenzie’s breath hitch, and from the corner of his eye he saw her close her eyes, but she was beaming.
He patted Aubrey’s back, and kissed her temple. “Good night, short stuff. Be good for your Mommy.”
Kenzie bent to kiss his cheek. He whispered in her ear, “Love you, Zee.”
Her eyes caught his. They shone with unshed tears. “Love you more, Sam,” she croaked.
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?”
