The Sacrifice: Forbidden, Book 1

by Samantha Sommersby

  “Yeah, well I’d say that qualified.”

  “I can do far better than that.”

  “I remember.”

  “I’m not a patient man, but I’m reasonable. The other night with you? It was wonderful. Well, right up until the wreck, that is. What with you, and then Margaret and Henry.”

  “Who?”

  “The older couple we were sitting next to.”

  “Are they all right?”

  “No, love.”

  “They’re in the hospital too?”

  I shook my head. “They died, both of them.”

  “If you’d stayed in your seat—”

  Katherine reached out for my hand and gave it a little squeeze. I returned the pressure.

  “But I didn’t. You came back.”

  “You met me at the door.”

  I nodded. “I want you to know that I remember it, the promise I made.”

  “Shh.” She placed her fingertips over my lips. “I wanted to be with you. The truth is, I never wanted to leave.”

  “I shouldn’t have asked you to come home with me, Katherine.”

  “No?”

  I wasn’t explaining this well. I’d had all this time to prepare, and I was botching it.

  “Not because I didn’t want it, or you. But because it may have given you the impression that it would have been enough for me, or all I wanted, that one night. And that’s not fair. It wouldn’t have been enough.”

  “It wouldn’t have been?”

  “Not by a long shot.”

  “What on earth am I going to do with you, Wesley Atherton?” she asked with a smile that instantly removed the weight of the world from my shoulders.

  “Well, I have loads of ideas, but I don’t think the nurses would approve and you have to keep your blood pressure down for a few more days.”

  She blushed. “Wes, Damien—”

  “Damien. I was hoping you’d forgotten about him.”

  “She’s awake?” The nurse pushed back the curtain surrounding the bed and turned up the lights.

  “Yeah, I think she’s had enough beauty sleep, don’t you?” I teased.

  “He’s a silver-tongued devil,” warned the nurse with a wink. Then she shook her finger at me and added, “Her blood pressure is stable. Don’t elevate it too much!”

  “What’s too much?”

  “Want me to see if we can move her to a private room?”

  “That’d be brilliant.” I smiled down at Katherine. “I bet you’ll be able to go home sometime tomorrow.”

  “We better make our flight arrangements, then,” interjected Julia.

  The nurse shook her head. “No flying, not for a good ten days at least. I’m sure the doctor is going to recommend you stay in London until your six-week follow-up. I’ll call Mr. Riley and see about that move.”

  “Make it a king-sized bed, non-smoking,” I called out to her as she walked away. “She’s right, by the way, no flying for you. Not for a while. I just meant you could probably leave the hospital.”

  “Oh,” said Julia. “We’ll find a hotel then.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You and Katherine will stay with me. It looks like I arrived just in time. How are you feeling, dear?”

  “George, I appreciate the offer, but you can’t put all three of us up in your tiny flat,” Julia objected.

  Katherine winced in pain and closed her eyes.

  I bent down and whispered in her ear, “What is it, love?”

  “Headache. I was remembering something. There was a woman. A woman in the station.”

  I swallowed and waited patiently.

  “It’s so bright,” moaned Katherine. “I think I’m going to be sick.” She covered her mouth with her hand.

  I quickly examined the monitors. “Her pressure is going up, everybody out.”

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” asked Julia, alarmed. I couldn’t blame her, I was alarmed too.

  “We could use some help over here!” I grabbed an emesis basin from a nearby shelf, then turned to Julia. “Could be just too much stimulation, could be a simple migraine, or it could be worse. Please step out into the waiting area. We’ll work to get this under control.”

  Julia started to protest but I interrupted her. “Trust me. I’ll take care of her. We need to let the medical staff do their jobs.”

  Julia nodded and reluctantly left the ICU with George.

  Katherine’s nurse rushed over. “What’s going on?”

  “She’s photosensitive, complaining of a headache. Her vitals are all elevated.”

  “But the intracranial pressure seems to be holding steady,” she observed.

  “Give her some pethidine.”

  “There aren’t any orders for pethidine. I’ll page Mr. Riley.”

  “I’ll write the order!”

  I walked over to the nurses’ station, picked up Katherine’s chart and opened it to the top sheet of doctor’s orders.

  “She’s not on your service. You can’t be writing orders for her and you shouldn’t be looking at that!” She reached for the chart. I pulled it away.

  They had secured the latest lab results to the front of the order sheet so Eric would be sure to see them during rounds. There it was, plain as day, circled in red, a positive pregnancy test. Did Katherine even know?

  “You didn’t see that!” The nurse took the chart away from me.

  “I bloody well did!”

  “Well, pretend you didn’t. Eric will tell her and then she’ll tell you herself.” She smiled. “Congratulations, by the way.”

  “I’ve got Riley on the line!” the woman behind the desk called out.

  Katherine began to retch. I moved quickly, returning to her side. “I know it hurts,” I told her, holding the emesis basin under her chin while I rubbed her back. Nothing came up. As soon as the spasm subsided I set the basin down, grabbed a washcloth and plunged it into the pitcher of ice water that was by her bedside. “Here you go. I want you to lean back.” I folded the wrung-out cloth into fourths and gently laid it on her forehead.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “Whatever for? Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “This has got to be your worst date ever.”

  The nurse approached with a syringe. “Mr. Riley ordered some PRN pethidine for the pain. I’m going to put it in her IV. He’s just finishing rounds on the tenth floor. He’ll be coming to check on her. I told him her ICP was fine but he’s ordered another scan. He wants to be sure.”

  “Did you review her latest lab results with him?”

  “It’s all right,” she assured me.

  “You’ll start feeling better shortly, love. Let’s take some slow, deep breaths and try to relax. Breathe with me. All right?”

  After several minutes Katherine removed the washcloth and searched out my eyes. “I don’t like hospitals, Wes.”

  “We’ll get you out of here as soon as we can.”

  “Sorry to interrupt. I’m Dr. Riley. I did your surgery.” Eric offered his hand to Katherine. “I’m gonna do a quick exam. You’re welcome to stay, Wes, if that’s what the lady wants.” He started to pull the curtains surrounding Katherine’s bed closed.

  “I’ll go tell your mum that your pressure’s back down. I’m sure she’s worried.”

  “Thanks,” Katherine said.

  “I’ll come out and join you in a minute,” added Eric.

  I walked out of the ICU and immediately laid eyes on a very brassed-off Julia.

  Chapter Seven

  There was a tall, well-built man standing across from her, arms folded in a defensive posture across his chest. My guess? Damien.

  I swallowed down the lump in my throat, walked up to the man, and offered my hand. “Damien? We spoke on the phone.”

  “Yes. You’re Katherine’s doctor?”

  “No. I’m a doctor. I’m not her doctor.”

  “He’s a friend, as am I,” interjected George. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. Geor
ge Grant.”

  “You’re the one she’s been staying with.”

  “Yes, quite.”

  Julia turned to me. “How is she?”

  “She’s going to be fine. Bad headaches aren’t unusual. Her pressure is back down. Eric, Mr. Riley, gave her some medication for the pain. She’s doing better.”

  “I want to see her,” said Damien.

  Of course he did.

  Eric joined us. “Mrs. Lawson?”

  “Yes!”

  “I’m Mr. Riley. Katherine is recovering nicely. I believe the headache is just that. To be on the safe side, we’re taking her down to CT and we’ll do a comparative scan. She should be back up within an hour.”

  “I want to see her,” demanded Damien, stepping forward.

  “And you are?”

  “Her fiancé. I have a right to see her.”

  “You don’t have any rights,” said Julia. I had a feeling this was about to get ugly.

  Eric lifted his hand to scratch the back of his head. He was a surgeon. His way of dealing with a problem was to cut it out. Any minute now he was going to make a run for the nearest exit.

  “She’ll want to see me,” said Damien with confidence.

  “Let’s get the scan done first,” I suggested. “Then we’ll see what she’s feeling up to.”

  Julia folded her arms across her chest. “The sooner you insist on seeing her, the sooner you’re going to force me to tell her you’re sleeping with somebody else.”

  Damien turned to face her. “You’d risk upsetting her?”

  “I’ll let you sort this one out, Dr. Freud.” That did it. Eric slapped me on the back and then predictably walked away. George was off in a corner polishing his glasses. As absurd as it was, I was left to handle the mess.

  I inserted myself between the two of them. “This isn’t the time or the place for this.”

  “He’s right, Julia. We need to put aside whatever differences we have and get along for Katherine’s sake,” said Damien.

  “Actually that’s not what I was saying at all. I’m not suggesting Julia dismiss her feelings.”

  “So, what are you saying?”

  “The two of you want to have this out, I’ll let you use my office. But you’re not going to do it here, now.”

  Julia blushed. “You’re right, of course.”

  “I’ll ask Katherine if she wants to see you,” I told Damien.

  “Thank you.” He smiled. It seemed almost smug. With each second that ticked by I liked the wanker less and less. I started to walk back toward the ICU.

  “I appreciate you going to bat for me,” he called out.

  That made me pause. I didn’t want him thinking I was his ally, or his friend. “Just so that we’re clear, I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for Katherine. If she wants to see you, fine. Personally, I’m hoping that she doesn’t. She deserves better.”

  “Damn right!” said Julia.

  Damien sighed. “Look, I know I made a mistake.”

  I held up my hand. “Don’t apologize. To be perfectly honest with you, I’m glad you did. Really. One man’s mistake is another’s good fortune. I’ll let you know what she says.”

  “Just who the hell are you again?”

  “Wesley Atherton, your competition.” I didn’t even take the time to register his response. As soon as the words were out of my mouth I turned and proceeded through the door, shutting them all out.

  Katherine’s face lit up the moment she saw me. I made my way over to her bed. She shifted over a bit, so I could sit beside her.

  “Medication’s working?”

  “Like magic,” she said. “I feel a little woozy.”

  “They’re going to be taking you downstairs so they can get more pictures of that pretty little head of yours. Did Eric explain?”

  “Yes. He said it’s just to make extra, extra sure. I’m having a hard time staying awake.”

  “That’s all right. Go to sleep if you want. I do have a bit of news for you though.”

  Katherine’s eyes widened. “Something bad?”

  “Damien’s here, well, he’s out in the waiting area. If you want to see him, I can arrange it.”

  “Does he know we—”

  I smiled, sadly. “George introduced me as a friend.”

  “A friend,” she repeated.

  “You know I want to be more.”

  She nodded. “You do kind of wear your heart on your sleeve.”

  “I don’t want to push you. If you want me to bring him in, to step aside, I will, for now. I won’t like it, but I’ll do it.”

  “What am I missing, Wes?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I hope that’s not your poker face. I don’t know, maybe it’s the medications. But before you came in I got the impression Mom was about to tell me something. Am I wrong?”

  It wasn’t the medications. Despite them, Katherine was both perceptive and persistent. She wasn’t going to let this go. I didn’t want to be the one to tell her, to hurt her. But I didn’t want to lie to her either.

  “Your mum and Damien had a bit of a row. That’s why they didn’t fly out together.”

  “About what?”

  I was going to have to say it. “She stopped by Damien’s on the way to the airport.”

  “Yes, and?”

  “He was with another woman.”

  Katherine turned away from me.

  “If you don’t want to see him, I’ll keep him away from you. If you want me to beat him up, I can do that too, but you’ve got to give me a couple weeks because of my shoulder.”

  “I’m not ready to see him yet.”

  “Yet. You said yet.”

  “I have to face him eventually.”

  “No you don’t, you could write him a note, or send him an e-mail.”

  “An e-mail?”

  “Oh, bugger it! You’re going to forgive him and go back to him, aren’t you? Be a picture-perfect family.”

  I took her engagement ring out of my pocket and held it out to her. “Is he really what you want? Because if he is, if he truly is, then I’ll back off. Please tell me he’s not.”

  “I used to be so sure that he was.”

  “And then?” I felt a glimmer of hope.

  “And then I met this guy, on the Tube. You said family. You know. Don’t you?”

  I nodded. “Yes, I saw it in your chart. It doesn’t change anything.”

  Katherine looked away. “How can you say that?”

  I turned her head back toward me so that I could look her in the eye. This time I said it with more conviction. “It doesn’t change anything.”

  For a long moment we sat there in silence.

  “Okay, I’m a stupid git. Of course it’ll change some things. But it doesn’t have to change what’s happening between us, not if you don’t want it to.”

  “Give him the ring. Tell him I need a few days. Tell him I’ll talk to him in a few days.”

  “Do you need a few days?”

  “To face him, yes, but not to decide. I made that decision down in the Tube station. Maybe even before then, when you first kissed me. Or, during dinner. Or possibly even some time the night before when we stayed up all night, just talking on the phone.”

  “Would you consider staying with me when you’re released? George’s flat sounds impossibly small. I have plenty of room and promise to dote on you.”

  “I can’t commit to anything.”

  I knew she couldn’t and I wouldn’t ask it of her, not now. “I’m not looking for a promise, Katherine. I’m only wanting a chance.”

  “That I can give you.”

  I reached out to caress the side of her face. “So, we’re going to see where this takes us, yeah?”

  “Are we crazy?”

  I smiled. “Certifiable, I’m sure.”

  “Wes? They’re ready for her in CT,” said the nurse.

  I leaned down and kissed her softly. “I’ll be here when you get back,
” I promised as they wheeled up a trolley.

  I braced myself for what was to come and exited the ICU.

  “Let’s talk.”

  I said the words just as I walked past Damien. Whatever was going to be said between us was going to be said in private.

  Damien followed me down the hallway. The second we turned the corner he grabbed me from behind and pushed me up against the wall.

  “You’re trying to steal her away from me, aren’t you?”

  “Thought I was pretty straightforward about that. Look, you want to hit me? Go on. I wouldn’t blame you a bit. Might bring you some satisfaction, but it won’t change a thing. In the end she won’t choose you.”

  The fact that I gave him permission to hit me seemed to either confuse him or take the fun out of it. He stepped back.

  “Katherine and I have a long history. How long have you known her, a couple weeks?”

  “A few days.” I offered him my card. “You may have a long history, but something important is missing in the relationship, or it wouldn’t have come to this. Deep down you know that. Call on Friday.”

  “You told her, didn’t you?”

  “I had no choice. She asked what was wrong and I couldn’t lie to her.”

  He stepped back and laughed ruefully. “That’s great, just great.”

  He paced for a moment in front of me before asking, “Have the two of you…?”

  “No. Not yet.”

  “Not yet. How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

  “I guess you don’t. But I am.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She asked me to give you this.” I held out the ring. “And she said she needed a few days.”

  He palmed the ring. “It’s my own damn fault. I’m gong to lose her, aren’t I?”

  I answered him honestly. “I think you already did.”

  Damien nodded sadly, turned away and walked down the hall toward the elevator. After pushing the button he turned back to face me.

  “You think you can make her happy?”

  “I know I can.”

  Chapter Eight

  For the next hour I sat in Medical Records, trying to finish some paperwork that I’d put off. But it was no use. I couldn’t focus. My mind was racing. I’d just returned a call from Charles, my butler, when the clerk called out to me.