Chapter Fifteen
Brooke
I’m pretty sure death doesn’t hurt like this, so I must be alive.
Only the land of the living could have so many annoying things beeping nonstop.
Opening my eyes, I can barely see through two little slits. My face is swollen, and my skin is impossibly tight. My back is killing me, and my ribs hurt like hell.
Did I mention the migraine?
And the stupid beeping sounds?
Taking in my surroundings, everything hits me at once.
I was kidnapped by my ex-husband and his uncle. They beat the living shit out of me.
Gabriel saved me.
Oh, God.
I’m a murderer.
I killed Brian.
Lying perfectly still to minimize my pain, I wait for the regret and remorse to kick in. I should feel bad for taking another person’s life, right?
I don’t.
He would’ve killed me if Gabriel and Eric hadn’t shown up. It was bad enough he stole years of my life while we were married. To come back, trying to blackmail my boyfriend, and almost kill me?
I have no regrets.
The door to my hospital room opens and Gabriel steps in, closing it quietly. He’s holding a cup of coffee as he turns to look at me.
“Hi.” I croak.
“Thank God. I’ve been losing my mind.” He sits the cup on the table, taking a seat in the chair beside my bed. “How are you feeling? What do you need? I’ll get whatever you want. Well, Eric will because there’s no way in hell I’m leaving you.” He lifts my hand gently, laying it in his palm.
“Water and morphine.”
He watches me for a moment, and my eyes trace every worry line etched into his face.
He looks terrible.
Still gorgeous, but terrible.
I know he’s been here with me the entire time. Even with his unruly hair and wrinkly clothes, he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.
He reaches for a pitcher of water on the table, pouring it into a glass.
He opens the drawer, pulling out a straw.
Carefully, he guides his hand behind my head, lifting me as the straw meets my lips.
Gulping down the cool liquid, my throat is grateful for the lubrication.
He waits patiently as I take my fill, and after finishing the glass, he lowers my head back to the pillow.
He gazes at me for a long moment before he speaks.
“I’m so sorry, baby. The way I handled everything was wrong.
Even though I was trying to protect you, I never should’ve left you.
I hurt us both because I didn’t know what to do.
You’re my life, Brooke. I love you so fucking much.
” He lowers his head, kissing my hand softly.
“They took you and hurt you. It’s all my fault. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Look at me, Gabriel.”
He lifts his head slowly, his eyes full of sadness.
“No one should ever have to experience what we went through. I never would’ve thought our pasts would collide the way they did.
I forgive you for leaving me. You thought you were doing the right thing, even though you were wrong.
Being kidnapped and assaulted is not on you.
You saved me, Gabe. That’s all that matters.
” Unable to smile, I squeeze his hand the best I can for reassurance.
A single tear slides down his cheek, and the sight breaks my heart. After everything that’s happened, I know this man loves me, and he would do anything in his power to keep me safe.
“You saved me, Gabriel. That’s all that matters.” I repeat, squeezing his hand again.
His eyes dart to my lips, and I’d give anything to kiss him right now. “I should’ve got the doctor as soon as you woke up. I’m sorry. You’ve been unconscious for three days. As selfish as it sounds, I needed a few minutes with you.”
I’ve been asleep for three days?
He must’ve been terrified.
“I’m okay. Let the doctor know I’m awake, and we’ll see when I can go home.” His worried expression unnerves me, but he leaves before I can question him further.
A few minutes later, he returns with the doctor. “Hello Ms. Monroe. My name is Dr. Thompson and I’ve been treating you since you came in. Mr. Layton informed me that you were mugged and assaulted.”
Looking to Gabe, he nods once, and I go along with the lie.
“I’m sorry that happened to you. We’ll go over your treatment plan now, and I’ll give you some time to talk about it.
You sustained significant injuries during the attack.
You have a concussion, a broken nose, a fractured eye socket, three fractured ribs, intense bruising and swelling.
” He takes a breath, giving me a moment to absorb his words.
Tears threaten to fall, and I breathe deeply to calm myself. Brian beat the hell out of me, and I can still feel every punch.
How long will it take me to heal? Panic sets in, but one thought brings me solace.
They’re both dead. They can never hurt us again.
“Could you give us a moment?” Gabe’s speaking to the doctor, but his eyes never leave mine. He knows my emotions are all over the place, and I love him for taking control of the situation.
Clearing my throat, I decide to get this over with. “No, it’s okay. I can handle it. Please continue, Dr. Thompson.”
Gabe moves closer, his thumb rubbing soothing circles across my wrist.
“I know this is a lot, Ms. Monroe. Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do.
You’ll be given medication for the pain and antibiotics for the wounds.
The fractures will heal in time, but you must take it easy.
Nothing strenuous. We have a small splint on your nose to help with healing.
You can ice the bruised and swollen areas of your body as well.
I believe you’ll be back to yourself in six to eight weeks.
We are going to keep you tonight and re-evaluate you tomorrow morning.
If everything looks good, then you can go home.
” Sighing deeply, I thank him as he leaves.
Six to eight weeks to heal? I’m going to be miserable.
Telling myself things could be worse, like being dead, I try not to dwell.
Glancing at Gabriel, it’s obvious he knows my question.
“I should’ve warned you about the story I told them.
We didn’t involve the police when you were kidnapped, so we couldn’t tell the doctor the truth.
He did alert the police about the mugging, but all you have to say is you don’t remember anything.
They’ll investigate it, find no evidence, and it’ll be over. ”
Nodding my head, I agree. “I understand. I hate lying, but I get why we have to.”
“The important thing is it’s over, and they’ll never hurt us again.”
“It’s going to be a long road, but it’s better than not being here at all. Since it’s all over, I’ll make Trevor keep me company while you’re at work.” Gabe hangs his head, and I know something’s wrong. “What is it?”
“I’m sorry, baby. Before they took you, they killed Trevor.” He sits on the side of the bed, holding my hand as the room closes in and I struggle to breathe. “Calm down, angel. I know you cared for him, but you have to calm down.” He strokes my hand, his worried gaze tracking my movements.
“He’s dead? They killed Trevor?” My heart breaks for the man who was my shadow. I barely knew him, but I’d decided once the shit storm blew over, we were going to be fast friends. I’ll never know him now.
Tears stream from my swollen eyes, and my back and ribs throb as I cry for Trevor. I cry for the pain I’m in. I’m crying for the stress this whole thing has put on our relationship. I’m crying for Gabriel.
After losing myself for a little while, my sobs fade, and I focus back on him. “Are you okay, Gabe?”
He looks defeated, but the side of his mouth lifts in a sad smile. “I’m okay, baby. Things have been tough, but as long as I have you, I’m okay.”
“Will you lay with me?” I ask, needing to feel him against me.
Needing to make sure this is real, and not a hallucination while I’m still lying on the cold, concrete floor of that warehouse.
“You’re hurt.” He murmurs, conflicted. I see it on his face. He wants to touch me, but he doesn’t want to hurt me.
Scooting over to make room for him, I wince. My ribs hurt like hell, but I need to feel Gabriel around me. He’s my safe place, and my home.
Once I’m settled and as comfortable as I’m going to get, the door opens and a nurse walks in. “Hi, Ms. Monroe. My name is Rebecca and I’m your nurse. It’s time for your pain medication. Why are you on the side of the bed?” She eyes Gabriel with both curiosity and interest.
“He’s going to lay in this bed with me so I can sleep.” Her eyes widen, shaking her head back and forth.
“Ms. Monroe, that’s against hospital-“
Cutting her off before she finishes the sentence that will likely send me into a rage, I tell her exactly what’s going to happen.
“Listen, Rebecca. I’m hurting like a motherfucker, and I want him in this bed with me.
Either you give me my medication and leave, or I will hobble my broken ass out of this hospital bed and go the fuck home. ”
She opens her mouth, only to shut it immediately. She walks to the side of the bed, handing me the medication and a glass of water. After I take the pills, she sits the glass on the table, exiting the room quickly.
Turning my head, I find Gabe watching me closely. “What?”
“If I didn’t already love you more than life itself, I’d fall in love with you right now. Poor Rebecca is probably having a panic attack, but you’re hot as fuck when you’re pissed off.” He gives me that sexy smile of his, and I start to laugh, only to cringe at the pain in my ribs.
He kicks off his shoes, carefully climbing into bed. Lying on his side, I inch closer to him. The heat of his body soothes me.
“I don’t want to hurt you, baby. Tell me what to do.” He waits patiently for me to get comfortable.
I snuggle into his body as much as I can, and he curls around me, so I’m nestled into his chest. “Put your arm under my neck and your other hand on my thigh.”
He does as I ask, and I want to cry all over again. It’s a hopeless feeling to need touch, but your body can’t handle it. This position isn’t enough, but I want to be held, and it just can’t happen right now.
As if he senses my distress, he kisses my forehead, his lips lingering on my skin. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m right here. I swear, I’ll always be right here.”
His voice trails off and my head feels weird. The medication must be kicking in. Breathing in his masculine scent and feeling the heat of his body, I drift to sleep knowing this long, bumpy road will always lead us back to one another.