Hi :)
Thanks for all reviews and alerts so far, they make my day, sorry for the little wait.
Here is chapter 8.
Enjoy.
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"Charlie, in all due respect, I think you are using your feelings towards Brax to cloud your judgement."
"Georgina, I am telling you they weren't responsible for this. I know that, in my heart. I appreciate your concern. It's not safe for me or anyone around me anyone finds out I'm alive. Once O'Connor is in custody things will be different and I can stay somewhere else. But until then I am not leaving this house."
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The next few days were stressful for Heath, Charlie and Brax.
Casey kept away from the house, only returning each night to sleep and he would be gone before everyone got up in the morning.
Charlie read the newspaper each day and each day was slightly relieved to discover that no leaks had been made regarding her reappearance.
There was also limited information about the deaths of Jake Perovic and Tommy Ericson, which Charlie found surprising to say the least.
Brax and Heath had worked out a rotating schedule so that someone was always home with Charlie. Most of the time it was Brax, he brought paperwork from the restaurant home with him and no one dared question him. He didn't feel comfortable leaving Charlie alone, knowing that Joyce was aware of Charlie's reappearance in the Bay.
Needless to say, Brax did not get a lot of work done.
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Almost a week after her last visit, Georgina Watson found herself knocking on the Braxton's door near midnight.
"You're making this a habit," Heath grunted when he saw her, however, he stepped aside without question, allowing Watson entry, and turned to get Charlie and Brax.
"Watson." Brax greeted unemotionally as he and Charlie made their way into the lounge area.
"Is everything ok?" Charlie asked.
"For me yes, for you, maybe not so much," Watson began honestly.
"We received word this afternoon that Hayley O'Connor is planning to return to the bay tomorrow to represent the families of Perovic and Ericson."
Brax nodded.
"Okay, so we'll be on extra alert, your boss said last week, that a federal case was being built?
"It is, but they aren't confident in arresting her yet."
"There's more?" Charlie asked, she knew her previous partner very well and she could sense that Georgina had more to tell them.
"Yes, despite this, Joyce is planning to question you tomorrow," Georgina said to Charlie, "and not with your two bodyguards present."
"And how's he supposed to do that?" Heath asked, he let the bodyguard dig slide.
"At the station, covertly."
"He wants to question Charlie at the station when Hayley O'Connor is back in town?" Brax clarified.
"Yes."
"That's complete bullshit; he'll risk her life again when he knows she's innocent. Why question her?" Brax demanded, Charlie's gentle grip on his arm did nothing to soothe him.
"He knows she's innocent, and I don't need to tell you that it's you and your brother he's after."
"Hey, we're right here waiting," Heath commented.
"Look, I just came here to give you a heads up, for your sake," Georgina looked at Charlie and ignored the two Braxton's.
"Thanks Georgina, I appreciate it."
Georgina looked at her former partner and their conversation a week ago came back to her.
"That's not what I meant and you know it! I appreciate your concern. It's not safe for me or anyone around me anyone finds out I'm alive. Once O'Connor is in custody things will be different and I can stay somewhere else. But until then I am not leaving this house." Charlie had said.
That was why Georgina Watson decided, against protocol, to warn Charlie of Inspector Joyce's plan because if Charlie remained staying with the Braxton's, she would have no choice, she would be forced from the house and from the protection of Darryl Braxton.
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Brax waited until he heard Watson's car drive off before he sprang into action.
"Go into the bedroom and pack us some stuff, enough for a week," he said to Charlie. It was an order but he spoke gently and held her hand tightly in his.
"Heath, how much cash do you have on you?"
"What are you gonna do?" Heath asked.
Charlie had yet to move.
"We're gonna leave for a while, till at least O'Connor is out of the Bay. Can you handle stuff around here?" Brax asked Heath.
Already in this situation Heath had done so much, and for a moment Brax felt guilty on how little faith he had in his brother sometimes. But, when push came to shove, just like the past few days, Heath had been there for him tenfold.
"Can I look after thi-," Heath began to scoff before he was interrupted by Charlie.
"We aren't leaving," she said, stunning them into silence.
"Charlie, did you not hear what Watson just said?"
"Yeah, come on Buckton, you're smarter than this?"
Charlie chose to ignore Heath's comment and focus on Brax.
"Yes I heard her, but it doesn't make a difference. I'm not leaving, but you are more than welcome to," Charlie gestured her hand to the door.
"I don't go anywhere without you and frankly, you are coming with me. I will keep you safe from all of this."
"If I'm with you I'm safe. If I'm with you here in Summer Bay, I will still be safe."
"Not if O'Connor is around, you've already proven she's dirty and along with anyone who works at her law firm too."
"Brax, they are going to use me to get to you, if we leave that makes you look guilty and we'd be leaving Heath here alone."
"I'm a big boy Buckton."
Brax acknowledged Heath's comment with a nod.
"Brax, trust me, they will find us wherever and they will use me to get to you, to get information about you. I have a better idea."
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The next twelve hours past very quickly, too quickly for all involved and Brax tensed instantly when he heard a knock the following afternoon.
A gently kiss on his cheek relaxed him slightly and he pulled Charlie into the kitchen.
"I think we might need to cut you a key, I'm sick of answering the door only to see your faces," Heath commented as he stepped aside letting Watson and Joyce inside.
Brax stood just outside the kitchen, shielding Charlie slightly from Joyce's view.
"As much as I'm sure you're efforts in protecting her are appreciated, it isn't necessary." Joyce patronised Brax.
"Mate, you have no idea the lengths I would go to, to protect her. I always have and I always will and your fuck up only assures me that you're useless and won't be of any help in ensuring her safety."
"Mr Braxton, that's a little farfetched, we came here today to inform you that, Ms Hayley O'Connor was arrested this morning upon her arrival to the Summer Bay Diner."
The news shocked Heath, Brax and Charlie but regardless Brax knew the real reason why they were at his house.
"You came here today for your own reasons, Charlie's safety does not even register on your radar, and you're here to protect yourself. You don't want you're mistake getting out."
"To be blunt Mr Braxton, neither do you. We both know who was responsible for the deaths of Jake Perovic and Tommy Ericson, my money is you and your brother however I guess we can't rule out the possibility that she was involved as well. Maybe she should come down to the station for questioning?"
Joyce carried the conversation on as if Charlie was not in the room.
"I won't be going down to the station, Inspector Joyce," Charlie said, breaking into the conversation from behind Brax.
"You and I both know Miss Buckton, that you choosing not to come to the station may be construed as an admission of guilt?"
"Yes I do realise that, but it's not the case, so why worry about it?"
"You are risking it all for him?" Joyce asked pointing at Brax.
"There is nothing to risk! You risked my life, he didn't."
"Charlie Buckton, as a police officer, I expected a lot more-"
"Braxton." Heath interrupted with a grin.
"Pardon?"
"Braxton." Brax nodded.
"Am I missing something?" Joyce asked as he turned around to look at Watson who also appeared to be confused.
"It's Charlie Braxton." Charlie confirmed.
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Boom! Did you see that coming?
I hope that made up for no updates for a while.
Please review and let me know what you think.
xoxox