Page 18 of Hook

I'm hoping I'm not lying. Brick has never once led me down the wrong path but so far all he's wanted to do is to get rid of Bea. Telling me to leave her alone. I can't do that and all I can hope for is him to be understanding of that fact.

We need another solution.

She nods, but I can see the uncertainty lingering in her eyes. I give her shoulders a gentle squeeze before leading her to where Brick is sitting. He's not in church but instead sitting in the chill out area where we have our large TV and games set up. There are a few tables scattered around and he's sitting at one of them waiting for the two of us to get there.

I pull out a chair for Bea to sit, before I grab another for myself.

"Now, what the hell happened?" Brick asks getting straight to the heart of our business.

"I took her to the police station like you said. We were all set to go in when she saw the same two assholes that tried to get information out of me yesterday. They were coming out of the police station with two cops right next to them. They had flyers. They're making it seem like she's a missing person." I reach into my pocket and pull out one of the flyers that I pulled down from the telephone pole so Brick can see it.

His eyebrows furrow as he reads over the information. "It says here you're out of your damn mind. Is that right, Bea?"

"I don't know, maybe I am out of my mind to think that you all would be able to help me. As far as anything else, I'm as sane as the next person." She says with a shrug and I cringe at the way she's talking to Brick. He's not the type to sit back and be disrespected but I can tell that he's really enjoying her demeanor. It's not every day someone goes against him.

"I think I'd know if she was crazy Brick. They're just trying to make it so her story is less credible make it so more people believe them then her." I add in.

"Yeah, I'm getting that." Brick sighs and flings the flyer back in my direction. "I guess it's time you tell me exactly what he wants from you and what you did to make him so pissed off."

Bea quickly tells him everything that she's told me. Tells him about how she left her home to get away from him, how he's basically been stalking her even while he was in prison, even how he has quite a few people who are willing to do his bidding. She tells him about the shelter and living in her car. Everything I already know but for some reason just hearing her say it again pisses me off more than anything.

This woman truly has been through hell just because this asshole doesn't know how to treat her. I may not be the best man in the world but I know I'm a better man than this Lance bastard.

"So you see Brick, I can't just turn her away," I finish, leaning forward in my chair. "We're her only shot at staying safe."

Brick's face remains impassive as he processes everything we've told him. The silence stretches on, and I can feel Bea fidgeting nervously beside me.

Finally, Brick speaks. "This Lance character, he's got connections with the police?"

Bea nods. "From what I've gathered, yes. He's got friends in high places."

Brick grunts, his fingers drumming on the table. "Makes things trickier. Can't just go to the cops."

"That's why I brought her here," I say, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice. "We can protect her, Brick. Give her a chance to breathe without looking over her shoulder every five seconds."

Brick's eyes narrow as he studies Bea. "You realize what you're asking, girl? Getting mixed up with us ain't no picnic. We ain't saints."

"I know," Bea says, her voice steady despite the fear I can see in her eyes. "But right now, you're the only option I've got. I can't keep running forever."

Brick nods slowly, then turns to me. "Hook, you vouching for her?"

I don't hesitate. "With my life."

The words hang in the air, and I can feel Bea's eyes on me. Brick leans back in his chair, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Alright," he says finally. "She can stay. But she's your responsibility, Hook. You keep her safe, you keep her out of club business. And if this Lance fucker shows up, we deal with him our way. Got it?"

"Yeah, I hear you."

"Good, get her settled in. I need to do some research..." Before he can get up his phone buzzes and he pulls it out of his pocket. "Motherfucker!" He barks as he stares down at the screen.

"What's up?" I ask instantly.

"Light! Let's roll!" Brick barks.

All in a matter of seconds, Brick goes from calm and collected to a man on a mission. I'm not sure what's going on but I know whatever it is isn't good.

"Brick?" I call out to him.