Page 66 of Brick's Retribution

"Nothing," I say quietly. "Radio silence since I left El Paso. That's not like him, even if things are a little nuts."

"We'll find out what's happening," Amara promises. "I have people working on it."

Before I can respond, the door opens and Brick emerges, his shoulder and ribs freshly bandaged.

Ruby follows behind him, shaking her head like she’s someone who's used to patching up stubborn men.

"Try not to get shot again," she tells him. "I'm running low on supplies."

Brick grins, but soon enough, it’s transforming into his usual expression. "I'll do my best."

My heart does something complicated in my chest when I see that smile. This man, who's been shot three times protecting me, who's faced down professional killers without so much as flinching, can still find humor in the situation.

There's something incredibly attractive about that kind of resilience.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, moving closer to examine Ruby's handiwork.

"Better," he says, and the way his eyes heat when he looks at me makes it clear he's not just talking about himself physically.

"Good," Amara interrupts before things can get too intimate. "Because we have some planning to do. Imani's come up with an idea for how we might be able to get inside this trafficking operation."

Brick's attention immediately sharpens, his protective instincts clearly triggered. "What kind of idea?"

I explain my plan to infiltrate the auction networks, using my cartel connections and financial resources to pose as a potential buyer.

As I speak, I watch his expression grow increasingly stormy.

"Absolutely not," he says when I finish. "You're not walking into the middle of a trafficking ring, no matter how good your cover story is."

"It's the best chance we have of finding Lashes," I argue. "And of stopping these people before they hurt more women."

"I don't care," he replies, his voice dropping, "I'm not letting you put yourself in that kind of danger."

The possessiveness in his tone should annoy me, but instead it sends heat spiraling through my body.

The way he's looking at me—like I'm something precious he'll protect at any cost—makes me feel desired and cherished in ways I've never experienced.

"It's not your decision to make," I say gently, stepping closer to him. "This ismychoice."

"Like hell it is," he growls, but I can see the conflict in his amber eyes.

He knows I'm right, even if he hates it.

"She wouldn't be going in alone," Amara interjects. "She’d have backup, extraction plans, communication protocols. AndBrick, you’d be her security. Wealthy clients don't travel without protection."

I watch something shift in Brick's expression as he processes this.

The idea of being my partner rather than just my protector seems to appeal to him.

"We'd be together?" he asks.

"Every step of the way," I confirm. "You'd be my bodyguard, my right hand. No one would question a cartel princess traveling with some serious muscle."

He's quiet for a long moment, his mind clearly working through the scenario. "It could work," he admits reluctantly. "If we do it right. I’d want us to have other people around, in the event things went sideways."

"Then we start planning," Amara says decisively. "But first, one thing at a time. I need more information about how you’ve been tracked since you left El Paso. You've been careful, avoided electronic surveillance, changed routes multiple times. How are they staying one step ahead?"

Every time we thought we were safe, they appeared.

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