Edge of Danger (San Antonio Security #2)

Chapter Six

It had been a dream week. A week spent soaking in everything about her son. Playing with him. Cuddling him. Singing songs to make him smile. Studying every inch of him as he slept.

Taking every second she could get.

She’d also spent the week sleeping in the alley and freshening up in gas station bathrooms. Washing her hair in the sink of one had been...an interesting challenge. But it had been worth it because she had her baby. She would live the rest of her life in an alley if it meant spending time with Walker. Watching him grow. Loving him.

Maci was always the first to arrive at the office, usually carrying donuts or bagels when she did. Tessa would follow her inside, answering questions about her night with made-up stories before quickly turning the tables and asking the office manager about her night.

Maci was thoughtful and friendly. And organized, considering how she kept four men in line. The Patterson brothers didn’t seem like they’d be easy to wrangle.

Tessa had overheard Chance joking with Brax about how their mom would flip out if she knew there was a baby around and nobody had told her. Whoever she was, their mom had to be a special lady. Adopting four kids out of the foster care system wasn’t for the faint of heart.

Tessa had moved into the break room. It was better than the conference room, more comfortable in there for both Tessa and Walker.

The fridge was right there, so was the microwave when it came time to warm bottles. She didn’t love the idea of using a microwave and thought it would be healthier to warm his formula in a pan of simmering water, but people did what they had to do in tough times.

Like sponge bathing in gas station bathrooms.

At least her baby was eating and she was the one feeding him. That was what mattered most. She may have preferred taking care of Walker at a house, but she couldn’t blame Brax for not trusting her alone with him.

The break room made it possible for her to get to know all the men as they wandered in and out. They each seemed caring and genuinely curious about Walker.

Weston had confirmed what Maci had already shared. “It means a lot to us that he has a stable upbringing,” he’d confessed while nuking a cup of coffee. “We got lucky. Lots of kids don’t. Not everybody gets adopted by loving people with the patience to undo years of damage.”

Knowing they’d gone through so much hurt her heart.

But look how they’d turned out. They could’ve taken those years of damage and turned against the whole world. They could’ve taken their pain out on the people around them. Instead, they helped people. Protected them. It was their mission in life.

And it had made them hyperaware of what might happen to Walker if Brax didn’t maintain guardianship.

Brax. Every time she thought about him, she fought back a tiny smile. What was it about him that made her react that way? Was it his voice? So distinctive she could home in on it even if she hadn’t heard it for a few days. Or maybe his cologne? Her stomach tightened every time she caught a whiff.

All of her senses were focused on him at all times. Waiting for him to poke his head into the break room. Hoping to pass him in the hall.

He was easygoing, and he obviously took good care of Walker. That had to be why she was so tuned into him.

Easygoing or not, Brax would kick her out in a heartbeat if he ever learned who she really was.

It was clear he didn’t like Robert very much. Whenever she mentioned Walker’s daddy, Brax got a pinched look on his face like he’d just tasted something bitter. Did he know he reacted that way? Probably not. He’d never said much about his brother, but his body language spoke for him.

That didn’t mean Brax would hear her out if she tried to explain what Robert had done to her. Walker’s best interests would always come first, which would mean kicking out the supposed junkie mom.

Tessa could respect Robert for putting her son’s well-being above all else. Even if everything he said about her had been an outright lie.

Tessa scooched closer to Walker and bent to rub his back. He hated tummy time, but all of the articles she’d read said it was vital for his muscle development. Her body instinctively straightened as the intoxicating scent of Brax’s cologne wafted her way.

“Come on, buddy,” she urged Walker. “You can do it. Push yourself up on those arms of yours.”

Brax leaned against the doorjamb and chuckled at the sight of his nephew fighting to push himself up off the floor. “That’s right, little man. Work those biceps.” Her heart skipped a beat when he flexed his own considerable biceps.

The best—or worst—part was he seemed oblivious. He wasn’t trying to grab her attention. He wasn’t deliberately showing off or flirting. He just happened to possess more charm than anybody should be allowed to.

And a body to match.

Robert had been charming at first, back when he’d been trying to get her into bed. He’d even made her believe he’d cared about her. Until proving how much he didn’t.

That memory was like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head. She had to be smarter this time.

Brax’s expression turned serious. Did he know what she was thinking? Of course not—he couldn’t.

That didn’t keep her stomach from turning into a sea of acid when he looked at her that way. Didn’t stop her mind from spinning out in a thousand directions, trying to come up with a plan to get away with her son before Brax figured out who she was.

“I need to know how to pay you.”

Oh, was that all? She almost laughed in relief but stopped herself in time. Laughter wouldn’t be an appropriate reaction. “It’s been such a joy spending time with this guy again, I almost forgot about that.”

His frown deepened. “But you do have to get paid.”

“Of course.”

“I haven’t received any paperwork from the agency, though. Nobody got in contact with me. I don’t know how to set this up.”

Right. The nonexistent agency.

“Well, I’m new in town.” She shrugged. Did she look and sound confident in her lies? She had to. He was sharp. He’d see through lies. “Maybe my bank account hasn’t finished getting set up yet. Why don’t you pay me, then the agency will bill me for their cut?”

He would never go for it. Not when she’d only come up with that idea on the fly. No way.

“Sure. Would cash be okay this week, since your account isn’t set up?”

Whoa. He was either deeply distracted or his powers of perception didn’t extend very far. And she didn’t care which.

“Sure, that would be great.” It might mean buying a little food, some fresh clothes.

“Good. Tomorrow we’ll settle up for the week?”

“That sounds good.” Better than good. Could it be this easy?

He turned away, then pivoted to face her. “I don’t even know where to contact you if I ever need you.”

It was all she could do not to plant her face in her hands. She couldn’t exactly give him the address of the alley. I’m easy to find. Make a right out the front door, then another right when you get to the alley. Third trash can on the left.

He had her phone number, though she’d taken pains to leave the phone off ever since that last day in Eagle Pass. But what about an address?

She scribbled down the first thing that came to mind, completely made up. Was there a Pine Street in San Antonio? Who knew? It was a risk she had to take.

“Great. Thanks.” He slipped the paper into his pocket before running a distracted hand over his head. “Sorry. My mind’s in so many directions right now. Word came in yesterday morning that a low-level drug dealer we helped put away jumped bail. We’re trying to track him down before he gets too far away.”

“Wow. That’s intense.”

He nodded, his jaw twitching. “Yeah. It’s one of those things where we don’t want the police involved since this isn’t exactly a dangerous man. Drug dealer? Absolutely. But he’s not a violent criminal. It’ll be easier if we track him down first and bring him in. Once guns are involved...”

“I understand.” Not only did it give her a clearer picture of the Patterson brothers, but knowing they were distracted by an important case gave her a little breathing room. No wonder he was willing to accept the first excuse about the agency that came to mind.

When closing time rolled around, Tessa prepared herself for another night in the alley. After Brax took Walker out in his car seat, she slid two bottles of water into her bag and followed him. Now that she knew there was pay coming her way, it was easier to let go of what little cash she had left. Maybe later tonight, she’d use the rest of her money to buy bread and peanut butter at the closest grocery store.

“Good night, buddy.” She bit her tongue against the rest of what wanted to come out. I love you. Mama loves you so much. Words she whispered to him whenever they were alone.

But knowing she would lose sight of him for an entire fifteen hours made her want to say them anyway. Just in case.

“You need a ride?” Brax was all smiles, his usual charming self. So charming she wished she could say yes, that she wanted him to drive her home.

Only she couldn’t because her address didn’t exist.

“Oh, uh, no, thank you.” As if someone had flipped a switch, her palms went sweaty. She licked her dry lips and hoped he couldn’t read body language as well as she could. Because if he could, he’d know there was a problem.

“No, thank you,” she repeated. “I like the fresh air. I think I’ll walk.”

“Oh, so you’re not that far from here?”

“Nope.” Did that sound as casual as she’d intended? Her blood froze in her veins when he frowned a little, like he was starting to put the pieces of something together in his head.

“Would you mind if I call you in early tomorrow morning?” he finally asked. “I don’t know exactly how early. This case has us on our toes. There’s no telling when or where we’ll find this guy.”

Her blood thawed. “Sure. I understand.”

“So that’s okay with you? I can pay double for the extra time.”

Extra time with Walker and extra money? Like she would ever turn that down.

“No problem. I’ll, um, keep my phone close by.” But when he called, she’d have to be sure not to stay on the phone long enough for the men hunting Robert to use it to find her.

“Thanks.” He granted her one wide, relieved smile before waving and turning toward his car. Her own smile stayed on her face long after he was gone, blood thawing even more.

T HERE WAS NO such thing as getting decent sleep in an alley. Even if the alley didn’t reek of urine and was fairly secluded. It was still dark without so much as a hint of light in the sky when Tessa’s phone rang. Adrenaline sent her bolt upright, her heart pounding hard enough to make her sick.

When she finally found her phone, it told her two things: it was two in the morning, and it was Brax who had awakened her from not-so-deep sleep.

“Hello?” She could barely push the word out of her mouth. If she didn’t get a grip, he might figure out something was wrong.

“Tessa, I’m so sorry to wake you up like this, but things just broke with this case, and we think we know where to find our guy. It’s something we all need to be there for. Can I come and pick you up at your place? I could drop you off at the office with Walker.”

“No, no, it’s okay. I’ll meet you at the office in fifteen minutes.” She put a hand over the phone when a car passed at the end of the alley.

“I’ll be there in five.”

She looked at the phone to confirm he’d already ended the call, ignoring all the messages from the diner wondering where she was.

She looked around in a panic before shoving her things into her bag: what was left of the bread and peanut butter and half a bottle of water. She couldn’t let him see her makeshift home.

It happened so fast. She only realized she’d lost her grip on her phone when the thing hit the ground hard enough to break the screen.

“No!” Hot, frustrated tears welled in her eyes. She couldn’t afford to be without a phone. How would Brax get ahold of her if he needed her?

She had barely reached the front door before he pulled up in front of the building.

He hurried around to open the back door and unstrap the car seat. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have no idea how much you’re helping,” he muttered. His arm brushed against her as he hustled to enter the code that unlocked the door.

“You have to do what you have to do.”

If he thought it was strange that she’d made it to the office so quickly, he didn’t mention it. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I promise. Thank you again for this.”

“You’re welcome.” She took the car seat with a sleeping Walker inside.

Before he ran out the door, Brax pressed a kiss against her forehead. He didn’t say anything, just left.

She reeled from the suddenness. And from how much she liked it. How could blood go from frozen to boiling so quickly?

She watched Brax peel away, staring into the darkness long after his taillights had faded. Mechanically, she turned out the lights, her head still spinning from Brax’s kiss. It was innocent. Pure. So why had it hit her like a freight train? Why did it linger? She could’ve sworn she still felt his lips against her skin.

It had been so long since she’d had adult human contact. Even something that simple and quick. Robert hadn’t exactly been big on affection or tenderness. Once he’d gotten her into bed there hadn’t been a reason to pretend to be romantic.

He had even taken away her son. She’d been alone for months. Without a friend, without anybody.

Now she had her Walker, and in a simple, friendly way, she had Brax. Things were looking up.

The footsteps rang out a moment before a face appeared at the front window.

Tessa strangled a gasp and eased into the shadows, praying Walker wouldn’t pick this moment to wake up. She studied the face she didn’t know. Didn’t want to know. It chilled her, those cold, hard eyes staring into the office.

Another man pushed him aside and tried to open the door. He pulled hard, but it didn’t budge. Thank goodness Brax had taken the time to lock them inside. Thank goodness she’d turned out the lights. Thank goodness Walker slumbered peacefully.

She plastered herself against the wall, pushing deeper into the shadows, holding her breath like the men outside might be able to hear. Who were they? Not friends of the Pattersons—she would’ve bet good money on that if she’d had more than eighteen cents left to her name.

“I followed the signal,” the one at the door growled. “You positive it died?”

“Yeah.” The man at the window nodded, throwing a filthy look inside the building like his frustration was the building’s fault. “Maybe there was something wrong with the equipment. Why would she be here in the middle of the night?”

Tessa’s stomach flipped. They were there for her, probably having traced her phone in the short time she’d used it. Wanting to be available for her son, available for Brax, had led them to her. It hadn’t felt like it at the time, but her smashed phone had been a blessing in disguise. What if she had left the phone on?

She gasped softly as Walker stirred in his car seat. With one eye on the men outside, she lowered the seat to the floor, unlatched the straps, and clutched him to her chest. “Shh, baby,” she whispered, holding him close, hoping her heartbeat and contact with him would keep him quiet.

Holding her breath, holding her baby, she watched the men. She was afraid to move or even breathe. One of them tried the door again and examined the lock before pulling hard.

Finally, they muttered a few vile words and stalked toward a nondescript car. Just as she had with Brax, she watched the taillights disappear into the night and she was able to breathe easily again. “Thank you,” she whispered into the otherwise silent room.

Her knees wobbled as she made her way to the break room. There were no windows there. They would be safe. Nobody would be able to find her here. Nobody would be able to take her son away.