Salvage Him (Highland Park Chronicles Book 1)

by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

  The doctor approached again.

  "If she remains stable for the next few hours, I'm going to have her moved to a private room."

  I nodded and looked down at her.

  "You can stay in the waiting room for now. I'll come back in a couple of hours and let you peek in on her again." The doctor checked the monitor again and nodded.

  I squeezed her hand, reluctant to leave her side. I didn't want to press my luck with hospital policy.

  I followed him out in the waiting room.

  Seth and Justin stood where I left them.

  "The nurse has some question maybe you can help answer. About her history and stuff," Dr. Andrews said.

  "Okay," Justin answered.

  "She doesn't have any other family?" the doctor asked.

  "No. Her parents are dead, and she's an only child." I tossed Seth my phone. "Can you call Abbie and tell her?"

  He nodded and disappeared out the door.

  "That's her best friend," I said.

  As soon as the doctor left, the nurse asked a few more questions. When she finished, I was done. I had hit my emotional limit for the day. I couldn't maintain control.

  I collapsed into gut-wrenching tears, but I didn't hit the ground.

  Thank God, Justin was there to catch me.

  Brooklyn

  Open your eyes.

  My brain told my body, but it wouldn't respond. I wasn't stuck in some alternate universe. I wasn't hovering over my body, watching some scene play out.

  I was having one of those dreams where you wake up, but then you're not actually awake, so you wake yourself up again, over and over. I wasn't dead.

  At least, I don't think so.

  "Harrison, why don't you at least go take a shower? Get in a quick nap." An exhausted voice spoke on my right side. A grunt came from my left. That was Harrison.

  "Justin brought you a change of clothes. The shower’s like four feet away. I'll come in and get you, and you can run out naked and wet if she wakes up."

  He grunted again.

  Do as they say, you stubborn man. I'm fine.

  At least, I think so.

  My arm hurt, and my chest hurt. Come to think of it, the only thing on my body that didn't hurt was my nose. Harrison kept kissing me on it.

  "Good man." I felt him leave, and I missed him. My heart rate increased. I could tell by the weird beep, beep, beep in the background. I hated that sound.

  Calm down. Let him take a shower.

  "Go. She's fine."

  I am fine. I'm tired, but I'm fine.

  I must have drifted off to sleep again. Dark shadows danced behind my eyelids. It was quiet. I moved my right hand and reached for Harrison. Usually, he had his hand wrapped around mine, but I was alone.

  Where is he?

  Open your eyes, Brooklyn.

  My eyes blinked open and then shut.

  No.

  I tried again.

  This time, they remained open. He was here.

  His head rested on the bed to my right side.

  My left arm was in a cast. I didn't feel pain, but a dull ache had settled in my whole body.

  I reached out and touched his hair. It was damp. I pulled a few strands, but they slipped through my fingers. My arm collapsed on the bed.

  I tried again. I gripped harder this time and pulled.

  Harrison's reflexes kicked in. He grasped my hand but loosened his grip when he opened his eyes.

  Those blue pools swarmed with adoration and confusion.

  He lifted his head, but my grin faded as my world went blank.

  Shit. Brooklyn, open your eyes.

  "Open your eyes, pup pup," Harrison said in a tone I knew I had to obey or I'd be in trouble. They opened and stayed open.

  I smiled. I couldn't control my body's responses. I couldn't control myself.

  He could.

  I sighed.

  "Hey," he said as he took my hand and kissed it.

  "Hey." My voice sounded weak and pained. "You're here?"

  "Where else would I be?"

  I shook my head; talking took too much effort. I didn't want to fall asleep again.

  "How do you feel?" he asked.

  "Like I was hit by a car," I answered, my voice a whisper.

  Harrison chuckled, and the vibration felt good in my chest, but breathing did not.

  "What happened?" I asked.

  "You were in a car accident." He stood up and pushed a button on the railing of my bed. I could make out the words call button. At least, I could read. Although, I could feel it now. My head pounded.

  Then I remembered.

  "Paul didn't make it." I exhaled the words.

  Harrison's head dipped.

  "No. He didn't." He leaned over and kissed my lips, and it felt nice.

  When I licked my lips, they were dry. I could use some lip-gloss. Then I felt bad. It wasn't an appropriate response.

  "I'm so sorry, baby." Harrison stroked my hand.

  I wasn't sure how to feel about Paul. He was my husband. He was good to me until he ignored me; then at the end, he was horrible, and it was all too confusing, and I was exhausted.

  My eyes closed.

  "Pup."

  I opened them.

  "I don't want to talk about it right now," I whispered.

  "Okay." Harrison nodded and caressed my cheek.

  "I missed you." I smiled.

  "I missed you, too." He smiled.

  I moved my head. My neck hurt.

  "I tried. You know." My voice found some volume. I wanted to get this out before the pain and drugs took me under again. "I tried to get to you. I promise."

  "Hey, hey. I know." He leaned over and placed his face near my ear. "I shouldn't have left you. I'm so sorry."

  My vision blurred through my tears, but they weren't satisfying. I needed a good hard cry to get these emotions out, but my body wasn't ready for that. I settled for the tears that fell and soaked up the comfort Harrison offered.

  We sat for a few minutes. A knock on the door pulled us apart.

  "Can I come in?"

  I recognized the voice.

  "Hey, Dr. Andrews." Harrison watched my reaction.

  I looked over his shoulder.

  "I remember you," I said as Dr. Andrews stepped into my view. He was cute. With dark brown hair and a clean-shaven face. He wore mint green scrubs and had an iPad tucked under his arm.

  "Hi, Brooklyn, not Brooke." He laughed. "How are you feeling?"

  "Awful."

  "Good. That's how you're supposed to feel." Dr. Andrews took my good hand. "You feel dizzy?"

  I shook my head.

  Harrison hovered behind Dr. Andrews.

  He flashed a light in my eyes and had me follow it. He listened to my heart.

  "So you remember what happened?" Dr. Andrews asked.

  "Parts of it." I blinked to keep my eyes open. "Why were you there?"

  "I was out jogging and saw it happen." He pressed on my stomach. "I'm going to send you down for another EKG, but I think you're doing well. You'll have symptoms from the concussion for a while, but nothing too severe, I hope."

  "I broke my arm?" I tried to lift it and winced from the pain.

  "Yeah, in two places. But it was a clean break. Set easily." He tapped on the iPad and turned it around. He showed me my x-ray. He flipped the screen. "You also broke two ribs, but there's nothing to do with those except rest. We inflated your lung, and your breathing is fine. The cut on your forehead took ten stitches." He studied the iPad and then turned to me. "And I think that's it."

  "That's enough." I blinked.

  Dr. Andrews laughed.

  Harrison didn't crack a smirk. He looked worried.

  "With rest and a little rehab, you'll be just fine." He tucked the iPad under his arm and leaned over and peeked at my forehead. "One of our best plastic surgeons stitched you up, so I don't expect a scar. He'll be down in a few hours to check on you. I'll check on you before heading home."

/>   "Thank you, Doctor." My voice cracked.

  "Oh, you are welcome. It made for quite the story." He patted my hand. "I'll see you later."

  "Thanks, Doctor," Harrison said.

  "Sure. You get some rest." He turned back to me. "Both of you."

  The nurse lingered and took more information and typed stuff into a computer on a cart.

  "Are you in any pain at the moment?" she asked.

  "Not much," I lied.

  "Well, when you need it, just push this button. It will dispense pain medicine, but it will probably knock you out pretty good." She handed the button to me.

  "I don't want to sleep." I set it down.

  "It's the best thing for you right now."

  "No." I caught Harrison’s glare.

  "Okay, but soon." She typed something on her computer and pushed it out the door. "Press the call button if you need anything."

  When she left, I looked up at Harrison. He moved back to the side of the bed and took my hand.

  "Now, I know you're okay." He smirked. "You're my little pup pup again."

  I laughed but groaned. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts."

  "Take the pain meds," he said.

  I bit my lip. "I don't want to miss another second with you."

  "Brooklyn. We have all the time in the world."

  Harrison pressed the button before I could stop him. The world faded away.

  Twenty-Eight

  Brooklyn

  I woke up the next time to familiar voices.

  Seth cracked a joke, and Abbie laughed.

  I wasn't sure why it was funny. My eyes popped open. They all turned to stare.

  "Hey, pup." Harrison came in my line of vision.

  "Hi," I said and bit my lip.

  "Hey, sweetie." Abbie leaned over. She kissed my nose and my cheek.

  When she leaned back, I took a deep breath. It didn't hurt as much.

  "When did you get here?" I asked.

  "A few hours ago. Seth called, and I jumped on the next plane."

  I lifted my head a little to look around. Seth remained on the couch.

  "Thanks, Seth," I said.

  "You're welcome, little lady." He flashed me a bright grin full of teeth.

  "Hey, Brooklyn."

  I turned to my right and smiled.

  "Professor Stewart." I blinked.

  His kind eyes warmed my heart.

  "I hope you don't mind me stopping by. Someone has to control the boys while you get your rest." Professor took my hand.

  I squeezed it.

  While Harrison worried about me, he had his people around him looking after him.

  Someone was missing.

  "Where's Justin?" I asked.

  "You just missed him. He'll be back," Harrison said as he rubbed my arm with his fingertips.

  The contact masked the pain a little.

  "You need anything?" Professor Stewart asked.

  Abbie's eyes grew wide. She along with Seth, waited expectantly for what, I didn't know. They were the Doms in our crazy family, so why were they looking to me for direction?

  "Stop staring at me." I squeezed and dropped Professor Stewart's hand. "I'm fine."

  "Of course, you are," Abbie said as she patted my leg. Her lip quivered as she leaned past Harrison and kissed me. She retreated to the other side of the room.

  Seth followed her.

  I strained to see her.

  She wiped tears from her face.

  I wanted to comfort her, but Seth took care of her. Professor Stewart sat in the chair near the window, typing on his phone.

  "She's okay," Harrison said as he carefully sat down on the edge of the bed.

  "How are you?" I asked.

  "I'm good." He reached out and placed a hand on my left hip. "I want to hold you but can't figure out how to without hurting you."

  "I know. I'll be huggable in no time." I smiled.

  Harrison did not.

  His expression looked worried and concerned.

  "What's wrong? I feel like you’re not telling me something."

  "Paul's mother was here."

  "Alise?" I asked.

  I didn't bother to hide my shock. She hated me and hated that I married her son. Alise thought I was a gold digger. For kicks, she drank three bottles of champagne before our rehearsal dinner and announced her true feeling to the whole wedding party. Paul uninvited her to the wedding.

  "She's not a very nice woman," Harrison said.

  "That's one way to describe her." I tried to adjust on the bed but gave up when the pain hit.

  "Here, why don't you try sitting up." Harrison pushed a button, and the head of the bed rose.

  "Let me guess. She blames me." I reached for his hand.

  "Yeah, and she kept asking about the money." Harrison shrugged.

  "She is such an unbelievable bitch." Abbie bounced back up. "Her son's body isn't even cold."

  "Abbie," both Harrison and Seth said in unison.

  Professor Stewart nodded his displeasure at Abbie's outburst.

  "You guys, it’s okay." I flexed my hand and was happy the little movement didn't hurt. I twisted my wrist. I bent my arm at the elbow and touched the bandage on my head.

  Harrison watched me with a smirk.

  "I can't lay in this bed forever," I said to him.

  "She said she didn't have anywhere to go, so Justin put her up in a hotel," Seth said.

  "Why are we responsible for this woman?" Abbie asked.

  "She is my mother-in-law," I said.

  "Barely." Abbie's hand shot over her mouth. "Oh, my God. You guys didn't sign the papers yet?"

  I shook my head.

  "You're a widow," Seth said. We all turned to him.

  "Well, that was fun," Justin said as he entered the room but stopped when five pairs of eyes turned to him at once.

  "Hey, look at you." Justin walked over and leaned in. His lips barely grazed my cheek.

  "Hi, Justin." I patted his arm.

  "How do you feel?" he asked.

  "Better."

  He reached for my shoulder but pulled his hand back before touching me.

  "So Alise McIntyre." He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. "Interesting."

  "I know. She's a piece of work," I said.

  "No, I mean she had some interesting stuff to say." Justin sat on the end of the bed.

  Abbie, Professor Stewart, and Seth all gathered around.

  "So I guess Paul had been supporting her, right?" Justin asked.

  I nodded.

  "What do you mean had?" Harrison asked.

  "Well, it seems he stopped paying her bills, rent, everything six months ago." Justin shrugged.

  "What?" I asked.

  "Yeah. So they had been fighting about it, and he told her he had some deals in the works, and he'd work out stuff with her creditors, but that was a lie."

  "You notice anything different with your money?" Harrison asked.

  "No. I mean I use one household credit card for everything and then all my business stuff I just set up, but it has nothing to do with Paul or his money."

  "So the apartment. He rented it, didn't buy it. But instead of paying rent, he was given the use of it for a year in exchange for some deal in Dubai he was in on with the owner," Justin continued.

  "How'd you find this out?" I asked.

  "Dallas is a small town. You should know that by now," Professor Stewart said.

  “And you know how these ladies love to gossip. Especially about outsiders," Seth whispered.

  They all laughed.

  "Doesn't Paul have a partner?" Abbie asked.

  "Yeah. Phillip Asher," I said. "I wonder if he even knows what happened."

  "Call him." Seth pulled out his phone.

  "Wait a minute." Harrison stood up. "Don't you think you've had enough excitement for one day? You need your rest."

  "I agree with Harrison. This stuff can wait." Professor Stewart held up his hand.

  I looked around at
each of them as they slowly nodded.

  "I need to know," I said, reaching for Seth's phone.

  I dialed the main office number for Phillip's office in New York. The phone went to voicemail. I hung up and dialed his cell. It was one number off from Paul's.

  "Hello," Phillip’s deep voice answered.

  "Phillip." I cleared my throat and tried to sound normal. "It's Brooklyn McIntyre."

  "Brooke. How are you?"

  "I'm . . . I'm calling because I wasn't sure if anyone told you." I hesitated.

  "Told me what, dear?"

  "Paul got in a car accident a few days ago, and he passed away." I blinked the tears out of my eyes.

  Harrison gave me a look.

  I bit my lip and nodded. I was okay; it sounded weird saying it out loud.

  "Oh, my God," Phillip said. "I'm so sorry. So, so sorry."

  "Thank you." I waited, but he didn't speak. "When's the last time you talked with Paul?"

  "Oh, Brooklyn,” he said in a strange tone. "You didn't know."

  "Know what?"

  "Paul and I ended our partnership when you guys moved to Dallas. It's been almost a year."

  "What? Why?" My head throbbed.

  "He stole money from the company. He paid it all back—that's why I didn't take any legal action—but I figured it was all he had left, and that's why he moved you guys to Texas. Plus, he couldn't do business in New York anymore. He'd burned too many bridges."

  The pain medicine had worn off, and my skin felt hot and clammy.

  "Please send me the funeral information. I'd like to be there. We were friends for fifteen years. Only the last year was bad between us, so it's the least I can do." Phillip said.

  "I will." I handed Seth the phone, and he hung it up.

  I looked into each of their faces. My lips quivered.

  "Guys," Justin said. "Why don't we let Brooklyn get some rest? We'll come back later." Justin touched Harrison's shoulder.

  Harrison nodded, and Seth, Professor Stewart, and Abbie followed Justin out.

  I turned my head to the side. Tears streamed down my face.

  "Baby." Harrison touched my cheek. "What did he say?"

  "He said Paul took some money from the business." I sucked in a breath. "They severed their partnership. Paul paid it back, but he couldn't do business in New York, so he moved us here."

  "Hey, shh." Harrison pulled my face to him. "It's okay."

  "It was a lie. All of it was a lie." I hiccuped and groaned as the pain in my ribs hit.