“Mr. Prescott, is that true?”
“He was about to assault Ms. Stone. I was just doing what any gentleman would do for a lady. As you know, Mr. Arici is out on bond for allegedly killing his girlfriend. Please see to it that he no longer appears anywhere Ms. Stone’s family.”
“Very well sir.” Stefan stood as my father came over.
“You can’t buy your way out of everything Prescott. It’s obvious that you control hospital staff.”
“No Arici, they know what an asshole you are and they don’t want you in here either. You need to leave.” Dylan looked over at the security guard.
“Please see him out and make sure that he’s not allowed on any floor that the Stone family will be occupying.” The guard nodded.
“Please come with me Mr. Arici.” Stefan followed as my father glared.
“I don’t know who the hell you think you are Prescott, but Stefan is welcome whenever I ask him to come.”
“With all due respect Mr. Stone, that man wants to hurt your daughter. He’s into some shady things and I would watch who I associate with if I were you.”
“You only say that because you believe my daughter. She’s nothing but a liar, always seeking attention. She’s been that way her entire life. You’ll soon find that out on your own. That’s if you stick around long enough.” Dylan was pissed. I took his hand and led him away from my father. We sat in the small corner of the waiting room, hoping to hear news of my sister’s condition.
CHAPTER 2
Hospitals always left me with a feeling of unease. I suppose it was because I had spent so much time in one after my accident. Being here, waiting for news about Stephanie brought back painful memories. I was still trying to figure out who would want to hurt my sister. Only one person came to mind, Stefan. He would stop at nothing to hurt me and he knew that the only way to truly hurt me would be through my family or Dylan. Then again I knew that he wouldn’t risk anything while he was out on bail, nor would my father allow someone to hurt his one and only precious daughter.
We waited for what seemed like hours to hear the news of my sister. When the doctor finally came out I nearly lost it. He walked over to where my parents sat and explained the gruesome details of my sister’s attack.
“Mr. and Mrs. Stone, I’m Dr. Chan. Your daughter has suffered quite an ordeal. It appears that she was beaten with a baseball bat. She took several blows to the head, has two broken ribs and a ruptured spleen. We also need reduce the swelling in her brain. We will be taking her into surgery in just a few moments. I’ll need you to sign the release forms so that we can perform the procedure. She has also lost a considerable amount of blood. It appears that she has a very rare blood type, AB negative and the hospital doesn’t have that much on hand. Is there anyone in the family that can and is willing to donate blood immediately for her?” Dylan held me tightly as I spoke.
“I’ll do it. We have the same blood type. Just tell me where I need to go to donate.”
“You’ll need to go downstairs to the lab. I’ll let them know that you’re on your way.” Tristan stayed with my parents as Dylan and I made our way to the elevator and down to the first floor.
The ride down was quiet. I was worried about my sister but I also wanted to know where Dylan had been. I knew that at some point we were going to have that conversation but now was not the time. We walked into the lab and just as the doctor had said, they were waiting for my arrival. I was handed a clip board and instructed to fill out the paperwork. The questions were very personal, mostly relating to my sex life.
Have you ever had unprotected sex?
Have you had multiple sex partners?
Have you had sex with more than one person?
Have you ever used intravenous drugs?
Have you ever had sex with an intravenous user?
Have you traveled to a foreign country within the last 3 years?
Have you ever had surgery that required a blood transfusion?
Do you have or have you been exposed to Hepatitis?
Could you be or are you pregnant?
I answered no to all of the above. The next page was full of questions about my health. When I finished signing my name on the dotted line, I took a seat next to Dylan. He pulled my hand to his lips and gave it a kiss.
“I love you Brooke.”
“I love you too,” I whispered.
A tall, skinny brunette came out all called my name. “Brooke Stone.”
I stood up noticing her checking out my man. It was like that everywhere we went. I wasn’t sure I would ever get over women ogling him. I rolled my eyes as I followed her into the back room. I felt Dylan behind me as he pulled me into a tight hug.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered in my ear. “You’re the only one I want.” Then he smacked my butt making me squeal and followed me to the chair. I offered up my left arm since it had the best veins. The blood sucker came over with her alcohol swabs, cotton, needle and band-aid.
“Okay, you’re gonna feel a small poke,” she said. I just about jumped out of the chair.
“Oops. Sorry. I missed the vein.” I was in no mood for her crap. Maybe if she had been a little more focused on what she was doing instead of staring at Dylan it wouldn’t have happened.
“Listen lady. I know he’s hot, but he’s with me and I don’t appreciate you eye fucking my boyfriend. If you can’t pull yourself together and get the blood drawn, then find someone who can.”
“I’m sorry, I really am,” she said. “It won’t be a problem.”
“Good,” I said coldly. The second time around she hit her mark and I was grateful because my arm was throbbing something fierce.
“Are we done here?” I asked.
“Yes ma’am we are.” I stood and walked out, not waiting to see if Dylan was behind me. I knew he wouldn’t be far. As I turned the corner to the elevators, Dylan grabbed my hand and pulled me into a private restroom.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Brooke.”
“You do realize that we’re in a bathroom.” A sly smirk met his lips.
“I do.”
“Why?”
“What was that back there Brooke? I told you, you’re the only one I want.”
“Dylan, she was so busy eye fucking you that she missed my vein. It hurt like hell.”
“Can I see it?” I showed him my arm where a huge bruise was beginning to form. He leaned down and gave it a kiss.
“There. It’s all better now.” I laughed as I hugged him.
“You’re such an ass Dylan.”
“I’m your ass though and you love it. Princess, you don’t have to worry about other women. I know you’re really on edge right now, but please don’t let stupid shit bother you.”
“We need to talk about where you were all night. I was worried about you.”
“Brooke, now is not the time. We’ll talk about it later and I promise I won’t hold anything back.”
“Okay. Hey, do you mind if we stop by the chapel on our way back up?”
“No. Come on, let’s go.”
We entered the tiny little chapel just outside of the surgery waiting room where Stephanie was. The room was decorated in beautiful burgundy red and a cross was hung at the front of the prayer altar. I kneeled down as tears streamed down my face and Dylan wrapped his arm around me.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I don’t know what I did to deserve such a wonderful man in my life but thank you. He means everything to me; I couldn’t do this without him. Father I also pray that you would be with Stephanie and wrap your healing arms around her. I love her so much. Please bring my family justice and let the person responsible be punished for what they have done. I ask Lord that you would hold my parents tight in your embrace and keep them strong as they go through this difficult journey. I ask these things in your wonderful name.
Amen
I stood wiping my tears away, hoping there would be good news
when I reached the waiting room where my parents sat.
***
Things remained quiet as we waited for Stephanie to get out of surgery. My father was finally sobering up and consoling my mother. I still couldn’t understand why she would stay with a man like him. He was nothing but abusive to both she and I. I guess love makes a person do strange things. I vowed that I would never stay with a man who treated me or my children the way my father did us.
Stephanie’s surgery lasted five and half hours. We waited and waited for a doctor, nurse, for someone to come and talk to us. Finally, Dylan went over to the front desk and pulled some strings. It wasn’t long and Dr. Chan came out to talk to my family.
“We were unable to repair your daughter’s spleen, she was beaten pretty badly. She lost a lot of blood and required a blood transfusion, in which we used the blood your other daughter provided for her. We were also able to drain the fluid from her brain to prevent more swelling. However, she had a stroke on the operating table and she flat lined twice. We were able to revive her, but she is still in a coma. I am very sorry. The next forty-eight hours are crucial and will tell us what her chances for survival will be.”
I put my arms around my mom as she sobbed. I also saw tears in my father’s eyes.
“Is she going to make it doctor?” my father asked.
“At this time, I really can’t say. Like I said, we won’t know anything for the next forty-eight hours. As soon as they move her into the ICU, you’ll be able to see her. Only 2 people at a time will be able to visit though.” I took a deep breath knowing that it was going to be a long night. I wouldn’t leave my sister regardless of what anyone said. If that upset my father then so be it. I refused to let him hurt me anymore.
“Is anyone getting hungry?” Dylan asked.
“Not really, but I suppose we should all eat something.”
“Well, let’s all decide on what we want to eat and I’ll have Tristan go pick it up; that way we can all be here when Stephanie is out of recovery.” My mother pulled Dylan aside and gave him a hug.
“Thank you Dylan, for being here for Brooke; for us.”
“It’s my pleasure Mrs. Stone. I love your daughter very much.”
“Yes, I can see that. I’m glad that she finally found someone worthy of her time. Treat her well.”
“I will. You’ll never have to worry about that.”
“Oh and Dylan, please call me Mary.”
“Okay Mary. What would you all like to eat?”
Given the circumstances and since no one really had an appetite; we agreed that sandwiches would suffice. Even my father was being cordial. I couldn’t put my finger on it but something was up with him. He was never this nice for this long. I had seen him on his phone and assumed that he had been conversing with Stefan. I had to push my suspicions aside because I figured that my father was having Stefan look into Stephanie’s attack. Something I was sure Dylan was also looking into.
My sister was tucked nicely into her room in the ICU. It was a heart wrenching scene to take in. She was hooked up to every machine imaginable; including one that was breathing for her and her face was bruised so badly it was beyond recognition. I was sitting next to my sister holding her hand when I heard yelling outside of her room. I recognized the voice that came booming through the walls.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I heard my father say.
“I’m here to see my niece.”
“You’re not welcome here. You’ve caused enough damage to this family.”
“Thomas, this is not the time or the place to have this argument. What can I do to help?”
“You can leave. That’s how you can help.”
“I’m not going anywhere until I see my daugh… my niece!” I stepped out of the room and looked into my uncle’s angry face.
“Uncle Bobby?” I said. I went over and hugged him.
“Hey pumpkin. How are you holding up?”
“As good as to be expected.”
“Is your mother here?”
“Yes. She’s in with Stephanie. She won’t leave her side.”
“She’s a good woman Brooke. You’re a lot like her.” My father scoffed.
“Bobby you need to leave. I don’t want you anywhere near my daughter and take her with you! She’s not welcome here either.” Dylan’s face turned red. I could see how pissed he was but he remained calm.
“Gentlemen, this is not the place. You’ll disturb the other patients. You need to take this elsewhere.”
“Screw you, you little punk. This is between me and my brother, stay out of it.”
“No sir, you need to leave and calm down because you are not going to do your daughter any good by acting this way. If you care for her at all, you will do what’s best for her.”
“Do you question my love for my daughter Prescott?”
“Yes Thomas, I do. I question your love for both of your daughters. Like I said, this is not the time or place to have this discussion. Now, if you’d like to go somewhere private and have this discussion, I’d be more than happy to oblige.”
“I think it’s time the truth came out don’t you Bobby?”
“Thomas, I didn’t come here to fight with you. I just came to see if Stephanie and Brooke were okay.”
“Bullshit! You came to see Mary.”
“You’re right. I did. I came to see if my sister-in-law needed my help.”
“Well she doesn’t. She has me and I will take care of her from now on.”
“No one ever said you didn’t Thomas. This shit has to end. You’re angry and bitter over nothing. For crying out loud, you are taking the past out on your daughter. Do you hear the way you speak to her? You don’t deserve to even have her in your life.”
“Get out!”
“No!”
I had no idea what either of them was talking about. Dylan looked at me confused. No one could stop the two of them from fighting. That’s when I saw my mother walk out of my sister’s room. She looked more pissed than I’d ever seen before. I was almost scared.
“You two knock it off! I’ve had enough of this bickering. I’ve listened to it for the past thirty-seven years. What happened is not Bobby’s fault and it isn’t Brooke’s either. Thomas, you need to let this go.”
“I will never let this go. Everything is his fault and hers!”
“It’s time to go,” my mother said. Dylan, would you mind driving Brooke and Bobby over to our house?”
“No problem Mary, I’ll have Tristan stay with Stephanie, he can update us if there’s any change while we’re away.” My mother leaned in and kissed Dylan on the cheek then did the same to Tristan.
***
The ride to my parents was eerily quiet. Dylan reached over and squeezed my hand. “Do you have any idea why we’re doing this Brooke?”
“I haven’t a clue Dylan.”
“Your mom looked really pissed.”
“I know. I’ve never seen her so mad. If there’s something going on between my dad and my uncle, I don’t know how it involves me.”
“I was thinking the same thing. Maybe she wants us there for moral support.” My uncle gave a loud cough in the back.
“Uncle Bobby, what’s going on with you and dad?”
“You’ll find out soon enough Brooke. Some things are just better left in the past. You’re dad constantly brings this shit up. It needs to be dealt with. I imagine your mother has heard about it every day of her life for the past thirty-seven years. If I’d only known, I never would have…”
“You never would have what?”
He looked down at his hands and quietly said; “you’ll know soon enough.” I was nervous as we pulled into my parent’s driveway. They had since moved after my sister and I left home. They now lived in a small two bedroom, ranch styled home. The outside was very charming with its light yellow exterior and white trim accents. It always reminded me of a doll house. Walking in now reminded me of being in hell. I could feel the tension resonating t
hrough the door.
When we entered, I knew immediately that my father had started drinking. Every time he drank, his demeanor changed. He wasn’t a fun drunk, he was a mean drunk and it was absolutely terrifying being around him. My mother motioned for us all to sit in the sitting room. I sat between Dylan and my uncle. If my father thought he was going to get to me, he would have to think again. Being around him, in their home brought back terrible memories of when I was a small child. I started to shake and Dylan put his arm around me for comfort.
“You okay Brooke?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said in a low tone. “I’m just remembering some things.”
“I’m here princess. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” I looked into his beautiful blue eyes; they were filled with confusion and love.
“I know cowboy,” I said as I smiled.
My mother sat in her beautiful floral, wing backed chair while my father stood against the wall. He glared at all of us.
“Brooke,” my mother said.
“Yes mom.”
“I don’t even know where to begin.”
“How about you just start Mary and tell her the truth for once.”
“Thomas, you need to be quiet.”
“Don’t tell me to be quiet bitch! This is all because of you and Bobby! If you two would have just…damn it! She is just like you! Always seeking attention.”
“Fuck you Thomas! This was your idea in the first place. Just shut the hell up!” My father stomped toward my mother as my uncle jumped up and went face to face with him.
“Enough! You will not lay a hand on her. Sit your ass down, you coward.” My father fell back on the couch as my uncle pushed him.
“Brooke, when your father and I were first married we tried to have children and we couldn’t. We went to specialists that we thought could help, but couldn’t. They ran every test possible on me and the problem didn’t lie with me. The problem was with your father. He was injured pretty badly while playing football when he was a teenager. The injury had long lasting effects on him and he was unable to father children.”
“What? Then how? I mean, you had me and Stephanie.”
Promiscuous (Book 2 in the Fixer Series) Page 2