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Hope you enjoy Chapter 6.
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"I would risk everything for you."
He tried his hardest not to smile which caused a half smile out of the corner of his mouth, a look she had seen many times but still made her weak at the knees.
"You know that." She finished.
Brax nodded.
And he did know that. Almost losing her had nearly torn him apart but he noticed last night that it had affected her too.
She wasn't going to put all of the petty things in front of them anymore.
That realisation along with the fact that she had just given him permission to take care of Perovic his way, was enough to make him want to fight harder for the life they would have together.
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"How are we gonna do this? Heath asked later that night.
Brax didn't answer instead he looked towards the hallway.
"You want to keep her out of it." Heath questioned.
Heath wanted to start making plans on how to handle Jake and Tommy. He was concerned that they would not be able to keep Charlie hidden for much longer, especially when people would start to notice Brax's happy mood.
"No, that's not what I mean. I don't want to keep her out of it; I just don't want to put her in a position where she'll resent herself later. I can't do that again."
"Ok whatever, you're the boss. Boss."
"That's not all. I've been thinking, I don't want you involved in this either."
"What?" Heath asked in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? Tell me you're kidding?"
"Nah, I'm not kidding. I'm protecting my family. For a long time, I've been too worried about just taking care of Casey; truth is, you're my little brother too. If this shit doesn't work, I don't want you being dragged down too."
Heath was stunned but recovered quickly, he was a quick thinker.
"What if I have a better idea?"
"Oh yeah, let's hear it?" Brax said, doubtful.
"Don't give me that tone. Don't forget you're my brother and you need someone protecting you too, princess. We need Perovic and Tommy taken care of correct?"
"Correct."
"What if we take one each? No doubt you'll want Perovic, let me handle Tommy."
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"Something's starting isn't it?" Charlie asked when Brax had finally come to bed.
He didn't answer her, he didn't know how.
She'd anticipated he would do something like this, leave her out.
It didn't upset her as much as she thought it would. Brax wasn't doing this because he didn't trust her. He was doing it to protect her.
He just needed to understand, she wanted to make sure he was protected too.
"Ok, whatever you and Heath are doing there are two rules."
"We're keeping Casey and Ruby out."
"Ok so I'm adding a few more. If you need help you'll as me. That's number 1."
"Number 2?"
"You come home to me."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
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Charlie hadn't slept, it was 2am and apart from Casey, the house was empty.
Brax was supposed to finish work at midnight, which would have meant that he would be home by 12:15 at the latest.
She knew what he was doing; he didn't need to tell her. Charlie knew there was no chance of sleeping until he was back home safe.
Heath hadn't come home either.
Charlie hoped they were together.
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It was nearing 4am when Brax returned. Charlie heard the shower start and waited for Brax to come to the bedroom.
"Hey. I didn't think you'd still be awake," Brax said. His voice was nothing more than a whisper but there was new hardness present in his words.
"I know you didn't. Are you ok?"
"Yes." Brax answered and both he and Charlie realised he had yet to take a second step to the room.
Brax stood at the door waiting for everything to fall apart. He wouldn't take back what he just did; Charlie being alive did nothing to ease the need to take care of Jake Perovic. In fact when everyone found out Charlie was alive, Jake's need for revenge would have only intensified.
He waited for Charlie to tell him that this was a mistake, that they needed to let the police handle everything, that she made a mistake in coming back but it never came.
"What's your alibi?" Charlie asked him softly, she stood up and moved towards him.
"I'll ring one of the boys tomorrow, organise something."
"That's pathetic."
"It's worked before."
"You haven't been questioned for murder before." Charlie dared him to disagree.
She continued before he could speak.
"You're plan won't work, they will get a warrant for phone records and they will realise that the only phone call you have made to one of the River Boys in months will be the one you are planning to make tomorrow. Not gonna cut it."
Brax began to speak.
"When asked what you were doing tonight," Charlie spoke over him. "You tell them you left work, came home and spent the rest of the night with me, do you understand?"
"Charlie, I-"
"Do you understand?" She said as she moved in to kiss his neck.
Brax hesitated slightly. Their relationship was taking a drastic turn, to a place he never wanted to take her. She was being so strong, and he realised she was a lot stronger than he gave her credit for. He promised himself right then that he would never put Charlie in a position like this again.
He was reminded of her words from earlier that day.
I would risk everything for you. You know that.
"Brax?"
"Yeah, I got it." He said as he pulled her tight against him, needing to feel her close.
"It's you and me," Charlie said, speaking from the heart.
"You and me," Brax confirmed.
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Heath walked into the house just before sunrise.
Brax had dozed slightly but was in the lounge room by the time Heath had closed the door.
"You good?" Brax asked Heath, trying not to let his worry show.
"Will be in a few hours. You?"
"All good."
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"Mr Braxton, may we have a word?" Watson asked as she walked inside Angelo's.
"Depends on which one of us do you want to talk to?" Heath asked from the customer side of the bar.
Watson ignored Heath and looked at Brax.
"What?" Brax asked gruffly.
"We've found Jake Perovic." Watson announced.
"Do you want a medal?" Brax asked, eyebrows raised, when he realised that was all Watson was going to provide.
"Not particularly. Do you have anything you would like to tell us?"
"Like what? Took you long enough though. You're damn lucky I didn't find him first." Brax commented.
"Are we?"
Brax stopped putting away his stock order and looked over the bar at Watson; the conversation had taken a confusing turn.
"I think you did find him first." She accused, her partner beside her said nothing.
"Really and why do you think that?" he asked seriously.
"Jake Perovic is dead."
Watson did not miss the smirk which appeared on Brax's face.
"Please don't tell me you're expecting me to be sad about it." Brax's voice lowered dangerously as he spoke.
"No, but I did expect you to ask how, unless you already know."
"What if I don't care?"
"Unlikely."
"Hey, I don't have time for your silly little police games. Spit it out whatever you came here to say. I don't care how he died."
"Died wouldn't be the word I would use, killed fits better." Watson's partner finally entered the conversation.
Brax and Heath both appeared indifferent to the use of terminology.
"You don't think it's a little coincidental that we found Jake Perovic in the same shipping container that his brother was killed in?" Watson asked, giving the Braxton brothers more information than necessary.
"Ha, you're kidding?" Heath asked with a grin.
"Do you know what, that is the exact same question I would ask you?" Brax retaliated, ignoring Heath. "If you think I was the only one who wanted him dead, you're wrong and unfortunately he probably isn't the only one out for me."
"Meaning?" Watson asked.
"You figure it out."
"Is it possible you were set up?"
"I don't know, do your own job. But think of it like this, if I had it my way, would I kill him then hide him away? No. I'd make it damn obvious and use him as an example that you don't fuck with the Braxton's. Now excuse me."
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"That didn't take long?" Brax spoke first. His back was to the security camera watching the register area. He wasn't going to risk being recorded.
"Are you gonna go let Buckton know?"
"Yeah, not yet though. They're probably outside waiting to see if they've spooked us. Let's finish the stocktake first.
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Brax arrived home to a find Charlie asleep on the couch, TV blaring with day time television commercials.
Charlie woke when she heard the door click.
"Hey, you're back early."
"Yeah. Had a visit this morning?" Brax looked at her. She'd be able to figure out who the visit was from.
"Ok."
"Just ok?"
"What else would you like me to say Brax?"
"I dunno, I was just gonna give you a chance to change your mind if you wanted to." Brax shrugged.
"I don't need to."
"You know things are about to get really hard for a while? They found Perovic this morning?"
"We've been through enough hard times, Brax. This time we're in this together."
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"Don't you have a job to be doing?" Heath asked Watson, later that afternoon.
"I am. I'm here to question you about Thomas Ericson."
"Oh yeah, he's a fella, bout my age, a little shorter than I am, goes by the name of Tommy. Glad I could help."
Watson could hear Brax clear his throat in an attempt to hide a laugh.
"Do you want me to go?" Liam asked from the office.
"Nah mate, it's alright." Brax answered. "What's this about? You're in here about Jake this morning and Tommy this afternoon. What's goin' on?"
"Thomas Ericson was killed in a car accident this morning."
"Are you seriously looking to take us in that bad that you're going to try and pin a car accident onto us? Get a life Watson!" Heath barked.
"Preliminary forensics indicate that the accident was caused by brake failure."
"And?"
"A bit suspicious don't you think. It wouldn't have been hard to do. Since Hammer Perovic's death, it appears that he was working as Jake's second. First we find Jake then Tommy. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why we're here, especially considering the circumstances."
"How can we help your investigations officer?" Brax asked. The disinterest in the situation was evident.
"Do you have any information into the deaths of either of these two men?"
"Nope."
"Nup."
"I would say thank-you for your help, but that would be lying."
"Ah honesty is a virtue," Heath yelled as both Watson and her partner left.
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A few days later neither Brax nor Heath and heard anything more from the police. Charlie said they would be building a case against before they spoke to them again.
It was hard to leave Charlie during the day but still necessary.
It was almost like they were back to having a secret relationship.
And through it all, Brax was surprised with how calm and collected Charlie was being.
A knock on the front door interrupted Brax's thoughts and also meant that he was forced to leave Charlie's arms.
"Mr. Braxton, may we come in?"
"Do I have a choice?" He asked moving aside.
"Let's get straight to the point shall we? Do you have an alibi for last Thursday night?" Joyce asked.
Brax turned to his brother when Heath appeared the kitchen.
Watson took Brax's silence as an admission of guilt.
"What makes me think that you do not have an alibi for last Thursday night?" Watson asked sarcastically.
"Do I need an alibi?" Brax questioned.
"I think it would be wise Mr. Braxton." Joyce said.
"It's a good thing I've got one then," Brax said calmly.
"Oh really," Watson asked, doubt covering her words.
"Oh really," Heath mimicked, not one for being pleasant around the police.
"Forgive me for not taking the word of two known criminals."
Brax laughed roughly.
"Would you like to share your alibi Mr. Braxton or do you need more time to organise one."
"Ha, that's real cute. I was at work, I came home and went to bed."
"That sounds uneventful for a Thursday night. I'm sure you could do better considering your history with the deceased."
"Watson, it breaks my heart when we disappoint you." Heath commented but he was ignored by everyone.
"My history?" Brax asked Watson, he looked at Joyce who remained quiet.
"Were you alone?" Joyce asked Brax.
Brax hesitated. "Nah, not alone."
"Who were you with Mr. Braxton. Please come up with something better than your brother."
"Now, I could take that as an insult you know?" Heath joked.
"This isn't a game!" Joyce raised his voice.
"Really? It's not a game! You could've fooled me?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that if this isn't a game, why are you playing around with people's lives?"
Brax's comment shocked Joyce into silence and instantly Joyce knew what Brax was talking about and where the conversation would soon lead to.
"What is he talking about, sir?" Watson asked her superior.
"He's talking about Sergeant Buckton, Watson."
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Thank-you for reading.
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