Page 26 of Brick's Redemption

Dagger chuckled. “Yeah. Give me some space, brother. We’ve got to clear this end of the shore.”

Brick lifted his hands and shook his head. “Cranky fucker.” He reached inside his cut, and I watched him pull his gun from the shoulder holster he always wore. “We’re okay, Ginny. Breathe, baby.”

“I’m trying.”

“We’re already putting some good distance between us and the house.”

Sighing, I dared to look over my shoulder. He was right. The house and dock were growing smaller. We’d turn the corner in another minute, and you wouldn’t ever know we were there.

“Won’t they know we left by boat?” I asked, thinking my father’s Bowrider was too loud and the rippling water was a clear indicator of our hasty retreat.

“Not if we get around this corner,” Brick answered as he scanned the shoreline.

“We’re nearly there,” Dagger announced.

I chanced a final look at the only other home I’d ever loved, staring at the gazebo like I’d never get to see it again. What would the Crimson Skulls do once they figured out that we escaped before they could get to us? Would they burn it down? Destroy it?

I couldn’t bear the thought of all those memories stolen from me the same way my father had been.

“You’ll see it again,” Brick promised as if reading my thoughts.

He couldn’t guarantee that. No one could.

The house disappeared from view, and I wondered how close the Crimson Skulls came before we rounded the corner, and they wouldn’t be able to see us. Would they hear the boat in the distance?

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. If they were at the gate, we shouldn’t have been able to get this far without someone reaching the backyard and the dock. Had they entered the house first? Did they send other members to intercept us?

“Ginny.”

I whipped my head around to face Brick, catching his stern tone.

“Stop, baby. Don’t create problems where there aren’t any.”

Sighing, I leaned back. “It’s hard not to wonder what happens next.”

“We get to shore, find a place to lay low, and contact Judge.”

“Where do you plan to dock this boat?”

It wasn’t like there was a marina close by or even another dock to anchor the boat until we could return to it later. This section of Redwood Creek was miles of deep water and inlets. Finding a place to leave and go ashore would be tricky. The closest marina was too far to consider and way too public.

“Depends.” Dagger shrugged.

Exasperated, I turned to Brick.

“Wherever we can find a safe place to dock and hike to our bikes.”

Wait. “You planned for this?”

Why didn’t he say something?

“Emergency contingency. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to sneak off like we did.”

“Where are your bikes?”

“Stashed them a few miles down the river. We’ll have to leave the boat behind.”

I stared at Dagger. “Where?”

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