Witness (7 page)

“We want to meet him. Soon.”

“Um, okay. I’ll find out what his schedule is.”

“Do that,” her mother said. “We can always come to you.”

“No, that’s okay. I’d like him to see home.”

“Okay, dear. We’ll talk to you soon.”

“’Bye, Mom.” She hung up.

“They have probably traced that,” Brock murmured.

“Doesn’t matter. She knows I was in the hospital and that you and Dallas drove me here.”

“Fuck! See? I told you they would watch you.”

“But she still thinks you’re brothers, so she doesn’t know everything.”

He dragged his hands down his face. “This isn’t good, baby.”

“How involved do you think she is?”

“More than you think, Bailey. It’s not good. We’re not sure if she’s involved voluntarily, or if she’s just a patsy, but there are too many red flags to ignore.”

“What do you need in order to be sure?”

“We’re working on that, sweetheart. We can’t get a warrant to search the house without probable cause and evidence to support our claim, so we just have to wait.”

She set her hands on his chest. “My mom keeps stuff locked up in a wall safe in her closet.”

“Excuse me?”

“I could get you into the closet, unlock the safe, and you could find out what she’s up to.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

Brock frowned. “Bailey, you’re not getting involved in this.”

She grabbed his chin. “I’m already involved.”

“You’re not getting
further
involved in this.”

She smiled. “They have already demanded I bring you home to meet them, so it’s the perfect cover.”

“No.”

Bailey sat up. “We can go tomorrow. All my injuries are healed, I don’t look like I was kidnapped and beaten to a bloody pulp, and we can come up with a story for them. Something minor that they can believe since they know I was in the hospital anyway.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“It’s not gonna happen,” he stressed, sitting up as well.

She slid off the bed and stalked out of the room. She heard Brock call for her, but he didn’t catch her until she was already in the great room and facing Brock’s partners. “I can get into my mom’s safe.”

“Come again?” Dallas asked.

“My mom keeps stuff in a safe in her closet. She doesn’t know I know about the safe, so if you want to know what she’s doing, I bet you dollars to donuts the evidence is in there.”

“No,” Brock snapped.

“How will we get in there?” Jaxon asked.

“No,” Brock snapped again.

Bailey ignored him. “I will take Brock home to meet the parents, so to speak. They seem to think they know about him, and have asked to meet him.”

“Not gonna happen,” Brock said.

“Would they be able to find out that you’re FBI?” she asked.

“Not. Gonna. Happen.”

“No, Bailey, his cover’s buried. They will only see private security,” Dallas answered for Brock.

“Perfect. Then it’s settled.”

Brock shook his head. “Hell no.”

“It’s a good idea, brother,” Dallas said.

“No.”

Bailey grinned. “I’m gonna go pack.”

CHAPTER TEN

B
ROCK
H
EADED
T
O
the master bedroom, following Bailey inside. “Babe, this has to go through the proper channels. There’s no point in packing right now.”

“How long will that take?”

“A day or two,” he said.

“Are you still out tonight?”

He nodded. “I’m leaving in about an hour and then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She bit her lip and nodded as she leaned against the bed.

“I have a family thing to go to, otherwise I’d stay.”

“It’s totally fine, Brock. Seriously. You can’t work your job twenty-four, seven without a break. It’s unhealthy.”

He crossed his arms and smiled. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He closed the distance and stroked her cheek. “We’re not playing the nothing game, baby. That doesn’t fly with me.”

“It’s stupid.”

“What’s stupid?”

She smiled, although it looked forced. “Just going to miss you.”

“Same, baby.” He raised an eyebrow. “Why is that stupid?”

“Because I’m supposed to play it cool and not feel like I’m losing my best friend when he’s only leaving me for one night.”

Brock chuckled. “That’s not stupid.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, it kind of is.”

He leaned down and kissed her. “Well, then I’m kind of stupid too.”

Bailey snorted, dropping her head. “You don’t need to say that.”

“Hey.” He lifted her chin. “Are you worried about being here with Dallas?”

“No. I like Dallas.” She smiled, this time genuinely. “And Jaxon.”

“As soon as it’s safe, we’ll go out.”

“Really?”

“I promised you a real date, remember?”

“You also promised me a ring…and sex.”

He chuckled. “That I did.”

“Can I call you just to talk to you?”

He pulled a cell phone out of his pocket. “Burner number two. I also have a burner. Just for us to talk and text.”

Now she grinned and let out a long breath. “Thank you.”

“Love you, babe.”

“Love you too.”

She pushed away from the bed and wrapped her arms around his waist. Brock stroked her hair and then lifted her chin. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. Go. I’m good.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m just going to have no one to entertain me.”

“Make Dal watch
the Notebook
or something with you.”

“First, I’m not going to cry and blubber all over Dallas,
that
I plan to save for you.”

Brock chuckled. “Thanks…I think.”

“Second, does he even have
the Notebook
?”

“You might be surprised.”

“Go. We’ll watch some shoot ’em up movie or something.” She turned him toward the door and pushed him gently into the hallway.

“What happened to
the Notebook
?”

“I told you, I’m saving that for
you
.”

Before they reached the mouth of the hallway, Brock turned so he could kiss her without prying eyes. “Love you.”

She smiled. “Love you too.”

Brock gave Dallas a nod and then headed out the door.

* * *

Brock’s parents lived in a quiet neighborhood in Felida a suburb in Vancouver, Washington. It was the gathering place for most family events, and tonight was his niece’s tenth birthday. He parked the car on the street and headed inside, immediately accosted by the youngest niece, Molly, who was three. “Unca Bwock, Unca Bwock!” she squealed.

Molly belonged to his middle sister, Anna, who was married to William Walker. The couple also had a son, Billy, who was six.

“Hey there, beautiful. How’s my favorite Molly?” He lifted her into his arms for a kiss and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Her dark hair had been pulled up into pigtails on the sides of her head, but they appeared to be coming loose.

“Good. Auntie’s making Ewizabeth’s cake.”

“Is it chocolate?” he asked.

“It’s chocolate,” she squealed. Molly squealed everything.

Brock chuckled and set her on the floor. “I’m going to say hi to your mom, okay?”

Molly nodded and ran off to play.

He walked into the kitchen to find Anna elbows deep in sink water, his eldest sister, Kristen frosting Elizabeth’s cake, and his mother sliding food into the oven.

His baby sister, Payton, stood staring into the refrigerator, but when she caught sight of him, she clapped her hands and made a run for him. “Brocky.”

He laughed and caught her as she flew into his arms. “Hey, sissy.”

“Oh my god, it’s been forever.”

“Super secret assignment,” he said.

“You could still call,” she said, frowning up at him.

He kissed her cheek. “I’ll make more of an effort.”

She grinned. “That’s all I ask.”

“Where’s everyone else?” he asked.

“Gordon, Dad, and William are out on the deck. You want a beer?” Kristen asked.

Brock shook his head. “On assignment.”

“I thought you were off for the night.”

“But not off duty, sis. I could be called at any minute for any reason.”

“Right,” she said, and smiled. “Pop?”

“Coke would be great.”

Payton grabbed one from the fridge and handed it to him.

“Thanks. I’ll go see Dad.” Brock headed out the back and onto the deck.

“It’s the prodigal son,” his father said, standing and pulling Brock in for a hug.

“Hi, Dad.”

His dad nodded to the soda in Brock’s hand. “Still on duty?”

“Yep.”

“Lizzie will be thrilled you broke away for a bit.”

Brock hung out with the men until it was time to grill and then he helped with food, heavy lifting, and anything else the women asked of him.

After dinner, cake, and singing, kids were relegated to the basement and the adults congregated in the family room to recharge. Brock took a few seconds to send Bailey a quick text, and then joined his family. His sister, Payton, was scheming with Anna, and the reason he knew she was scheming was because her lips were moving.

“Whatever you’re up to, I’m not interested,” Brock said.

“What makes you think we’re up to anything,” Payton asked.

“Because you and Anna have your heads together and you’re whispering,” he said. “You never whisper, sissy. You have two levels. Loud and louder.”

Payton snorted.

“Am I wrong?” he challenged.

“FBI agent, honey,” his dad pointed out. “He doesn’t miss anything.”

“Okay, fine,” she said. “I have a friend—”

“No,” he interrupted.

“She’s gorgeous. You’ll adore her.”

“No.”

His sister, Kristen, leaned forward and raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“What do you mean, why not?” he asked. “I don’t want to date one of Payton’s bimbo friends.”

“Hey!” she argued. “My friends aren’t bimbos.”

“You’ve met someone,” Kristen said.

“
Kris
,” he droned.

She gasped. “You
did
meet someone.”

“Someone who
should
have been an FBI agent,” their father said. “She never misses anything either.”

Fuck. Dad’s right.

“Who is she?” Payton demanded.

“A girl,” he said.

She threw a wadded up napkin at him, hitting him in the eye. He smiled and lobbed it back at her. Unfortunately, she was ready and caught it.

Payton’s phone pealed and she answered the call. “Macey, hey. You’re never going to guess. Brock’s got himself a woman.”

Brock squeezed his eyes shut and dropped his head back.
Shit
.

“Oh my
god
, you know who it is,” Payton said. “Yes you do. Don’t you dare lie to me.
Macey
. Sisters before misters. You suck. Fine. Whatever. ’Bye.”

At least I can trust Macey.

“Who is it?” Payton demanded again.

“Leave your brother alone,” their mother said. “If he’s met someone, he’ll tell us when he’s ready.”

“Thanks, Mom,” he said.

She smiled.

Brock checked his watch. He’d planned to stay the whole night, but he missed Bailey too much. “I should get back.”

“I thought tonight was your night off?” Payton said.

He cocked his head. “What?”

“Macey said Dallas was on so you could come tonight.”

“Things changed.”

“She
just
told me,” she argued, pointing to her phone. “I thought we were going to hang out.”

He leaned forward, settling his arms on his knees. “Payton, Macey isn’t privy to our schedules. She wouldn’t know.”

“Don’t go all agenty and shit on me,” Payton snapped.

“Language,” their mother admonished.

“Sorry. Don’t go all agenty and crap on me.”

“Well, that’s my cue,” Brock said, and rose to his feet.

Payton scowled. “We barely get to see you, and when we do you stay for what, a couple of hours? What’s up with that?”

“Walk me out, sissy,” he said.

Payton stood with a huff and followed him after he hugged the rest of his family goodbye. Payton walked out with him, her arms crossed, her body tight. At the car, Brock wrapped his arms around her. “We’ll spend some time together soon, Pay. I promise.”

“It’s been almost a month.” Her body was still tight.

“I know, buddy. It’s been a really intense assignment.”

“And the woman?”

He leaned back and studied her face. “You keep the secret, yeah?”

She grinned and she jumped. “Yes. I will totally keep the secret. You know I will.”

He
did
know she would.

“I met her a few weeks ago and babe, she’s amazing.”

“What’s her name? What does she look like? How old is she?”

“I can’t tell you that, Payton.”

“Okay, then just tell me one thing,” Payton said. “Is she ‘the one’?”

He drew his eyebrows together. “She’s most definitely the one.”    

Payton cocked her head. “Why the long face?”

“Nothing, Pay.”

“Do you have to
convince
her she’s the one?”

“Maybe a little bit,” he admitted.

“Ooh, she sounds perfect.” Payton jumped up and down again, clapping her hands. “When do I get to meet her?”

“Soon, sissy. I promise.”

She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed. “I forgive you.”

Brock chuckled. “Thanks, sis.”

Payton stepped back. “Do you really have to go back tonight?”

“I really have to go back, but I promise, dinner as soon as this is all over.”

She waved a finger at him. “I will hold you to that.”

Brock chuckled. “I know you will.”

He gave her one last hug and waited for her to walk back in the house before climbing in his car and driving back to the safe house. He parked, nodded toward Jaxon, and then let himself inside.

Dallas sat in the chair by the window, the television on low, but not off. Bailey was stretched out on the sofa, a blanket covering her and she appeared to be asleep.

Brock closed and locked the door and walked into the great room.

“Why are you here?” Dallas asked, although, he had an expression on his face that indicated he knew exactly why Brock had returned.

“How is she?” Brock whispered.

“Quiet.”

Brock cocked his head. “Is she upset?”

Dallas shrugged. “How would I know?”

Brock glanced down at Bailey. She was so beautiful. “Did you give Mase our schedule?”

Dallas shook his head. “Why?”

“She told Payton I was scheduled off tonight.”

“Ah. Yeah, I may have mentioned that.”

“Well, thanks for that,” Brock droned.

“Sorry.” Dallas rose to his feet. “I’m gonna hit the hay. You got her?”

Brock nodded and Dallas headed back to his room. Brock sat on the coffee table and leaned over to stroke Bailey’s hair. “Hey, baby. Time to go to bed.”

She mumbled, but didn’t open her eyes.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said as he stroked her cheek.

Her eyes blinked open and she smiled. “Hi. What are you doing here?”

“Missed ya.”

“Mmmm.” She licked her lips. “I missed you too. How was your family thing?”