Brooke nodded. “I figured as much. I hit the coffee table and floor pretty hard, but I didn’t think anything was broken. I guessed that there was only one reason the left side of my torso hurt and I couldn’t breathe. I don’t know why they call it an MS hug. To me, a hug is something pleasant. It shouldn’t make you feel like a band is actually around your chest and ribs, squeezing the life out of you.”
“That’s because—”
“Stop!” She shook her head. “I don’t need another clinical explanation.”
“What are you going to tell your worried husband out there? They saw how out of it you were and you know the drill. You’re going to need more infusions of those same meds to get through this episode.”
“I’m going tell him the truth.” Brooke swung her legs off the bed and sat on its edge.
“Finally.”
“A version of it, anyway,” she clarified.
Peter stood, folded his arms and glared down at Brooke. “What does that mean?”
Brooke could see the worry and frustration written all over his face. “Relax, Peter. I will tell him the truth, the whole truth and nothing but, only not right now. We have a threat to deal with that’s more important.”
Peter shook his head and sat back on the bed. “Look, I know I’m only your foster brother but you’re pretty important to me and my family, so there’s nothing more important to us than your health.”
Brooke laid her head on Peter’s shoulder. “You’re all pretty special to me too and I know that’s hard to believe sometimes with the way I keep everyone at arm’s length, but I’m going to work hard at changing that. I promise. And I agree with you, which is why I’m so blessed to have you taking care of me. I just need a little more time before I tell Brice, and I really need your support on this.”
Peter pushed out an audible breath. “What do you want me to tell him?”
“Just a watered-down version of the truth.”
“Fine.”
Brooke raised her head and kissed Peter on the cheek. “Now—” Brooke rose slowly “—whoa.”
“You okay?” Peter stood and grabbed Brooke’s hand.
“Yes, just a bit lightheaded. I forgot how this treatment feels.”
“Where are you going?”
“First, to the restroom. I’d like to change clothes, then I’m going to go to talk to Brice.”
“I’ll go give him an update, then me and my team will go. I’ll call you in the morning to check on you and figure out what time to come by for the second treatment.”
Brooke raised her index finger as though she was about to excuse herself from church. “About the treatments...”
Peter frowned. “What about them?”
“I think I’d prefer the pills versus the IVs.”
Peter held her gaze and slowly nodded his head. Brooke could almost see the lightbulb going off. “Yes, I guess it would be hard to explain IV fusions to your husband without telling him the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”
“So you understand?”
“I understand what you’re asking. It doesn’t mean that I agree.”
“But...”
“But I’ll comply. I have enough doses with me of everything you'll need for the next couple of days. However, I'll have to send over more on Monday.”
Brooke gave Peter a hug. “Thank you for everything.”
“I’ll call and check on you tomorrow.”
“Nice to meet you,” his nurse said to Brooke, following after Peter.
Brooke smiled and walked into the bathroom, feeling like she was walking through a fog that was slowly lifting. She knew she wasn’t actually moving in slow motion but that’s exactly how she felt. Brooke checked the mirror and frowned. She ran both hands across her face and cut lip before sliding them down to her neck. The bruises brought her anger to the surface. “Shannon, you’re going to pay for this.”
* * *
“So how is she?” Brice asked the moment Peter walked into the living room.
“She’s better. Changing clothes right now. Nothing is broken, but she’s pretty banged up on the inside. Her chest and ribs were bruised, which is why she was having difficulty breathing. I’ve given her something to relax those muscles and relieve the stress on her body.”
“Thank you, Doctor. My family is in your debt,” Victoria proclaimed.
“No need to thank me. Brooke’s like a sister to me,” he replied to Victoria. “I’ll be checking on her over the weekend, but she has the meds she’ll need for a few more treatments.”
Brice offered his hand. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” Peter replied, shaking Brice’s hand before leaving the room.
Brice turned to Meeks. “I need to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”
“It won’t. I assure you,” Meeks promised. “You know she’s safe at work—your offices are like a fortress.”
“And we’ve set up security on this floor, and she’ll have protection with her everywhere she goes,” Francine added.
Brice shook his head. “That’s all well and good, but that’s not enough. When Brooke leaves the office, I need to make sure she’s completely safe.”
“What do you have in mind, son?” Victoria questioned, brushing a piece of lint from her top.
“We’re going to our place...”
“What about our place?” Brooke asked, walking into the living room. She’d changed into a long white V-neck T-shirt and black leggings; her bruised face was free of makeup and her wet hair was pulled up into a high ponytail.
“Brooke, darling, you look so much better. How do you feel?” Victoria asked.
“Stronger, thank you.” The corners of her mouth rose slightly.
Brice fixed his gaze on his wife. After everything you’ve been through, you still manage to look stunning. Brice took Brooke’s hand and led her to the sofa, taking the seat next to her. “Can I get you anything?”
“Water, please.”
“I’ll get it,” Francine volunteered.
Farrah’s cell phone rang. “Excuse me.” She stepped out into the balcony with Robert in tow.
“Here you go.” Francine handed Brooke a glass and placed the half-empty water bottle on the table.
“Thank you.” Brooke took several sips.
“If you’re feeling up to it, we need to discuss where we go from here,” Meeks encouraged.
“Yes, we do and I am,” Brooke promised, placing the glass on the table.
Farrah and Robert walked in from the balcony. “We all set?” Meeks asked Robert.
“We will be,” he answered with a quick nod.
“What are you talking about?” Brice snapped, his tone hard.
Brooke squeezed Brice’s hand and smiled up at him. She looked at Meeks and said, “Please excuse Brice’s rudeness. My husband’s obviously upset.”
Her husband. To Brice those words were like the sun breaking through the clouds. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “My apologies,” he offered to the group.
“We understand. If you’re still up for it Monday morning, you can make the transfer to the list of banks Perez wants, except you’ll only be sending half the money to half the banks on the list.”
“What? Why are we playing games with this maniac? Did I not make myself clear when I said that my wife will not get hurt again?” Brice barked, his nostrils flaring.
“No, you were very clear, and we all agree. However, we need to bring Perez out into the open,” he explained to Brice before turning his attention back to Brooke. “After you send half the money, you’ll demand an in-person meeting with Perez.”
“Hell no! You’re not putting my wife anywhere near that bastard.”
“Son, it’s the—”
“I’ll do it!” Brooke dec
lared before Victoria could even complete her statement. She looked at Brice and said, “It’s not your decision.”
Brice held her gaze. “Brooke—”
“No, the choice is mine. Besides, we’re nearly divorced. You don’t get a vote.”
Chapter 14
Brice’s face went blank and Brooke felt terrible. The words actually left a bad taste in her mouth. She reached for her water and finished it off. Brooke knew Brice was only looking out for her and she loved him even more for it, but she also knew he’d never allow her to take any risks unless she insisted upon it and this was the best way to make that happen.
Brooke hated appearing to be ungrateful but Meeks was right; this was the only way they could end the nightmare once and for all. She had to do everything possible to get Perez caught with his hand in the million-dollar cookie jar, so to speak.
The heartbreak she saw in Brice’s eyes was more than she could handle. Brooke intertwined their hands and brought them to her heart. “I know you’re worried and I appreciate it, but I have to do this...for us. I’ll be fine.” She turned her attention to Meeks and the rest of his team. “I will be safe, right?”
“Absolutely,” Meeks promised. “We’ll control the meeting location with Perez and you’ll be perfectly safe.”
“How can you be sure he won’t have a weapon of some kind?” Brice’s jaw tightened.
“He won’t. The meeting will be at a restaurant inside Hobby airport,” Francine explained. “He won’t be able to get any type of weapon past the security.”
“We’ll have the restaurant packed with our people from the employees to the customers,” Meeks informed her.
“So we’re just going to give him thirty-five million dollars?” Brooke questioned with a deep frown, glancing at all the faces around the room and landing on Victoria. After all, it was her money; she should most certainly have a concern.
“Yes, but only for a short period of time,” Meeks replied.
“What does that mean?” Brice asked.
“Yes, what do you mean by ‘short period’?” Victoria echoed.
Meeks trained his eyes on Robert. “I’m going to let my esteemed colleague explain the details.”
Robert offered a quick nod and said, “I developed a time-release snake algorithm and embedded it into each bank account.” He gifted them with a proud smile.
“Allow me to interpret.” Farrah gave Robert a smile. “My husband seems to forget that not everyone finds his IT-geek speech as sexy as I do.”
“Farrah, please.” Francine rolled her eyes skyward.
“What my brilliant husband is saying is that he set up a program that will track the money. Think of it like a bug. When they transfer the money out of those accounts, we’ll know exactly where it’s going.”
“That’s what I said,” Robert mumbled.
“What if they try to pull out the cash?” Brooke couldn’t believe she was even asking such a ridiculous question. She just chalked it up to her head still being foggy from all the medicine.
“It’s not like you can just pull out millions of dollars in cash, especially in a short period of time. That would certainly draw a great deal of attention,” Robert explained.
“How can we be sure Perez is the one who’s actually getting the money?” Brice questioned.
“We can’t. Perez is too smart to have his name on any of these accounts, so I assume wherever he transfers the money to will be some type of shell company overseas.”
“Which is why we need to get Perez’s blackmail on tape,” Francine reminded Brooke.
Brooke turned to Victoria. “That’s a lot of money you could lose.” Brooke's pain was reminding her of its presence.
Victoria gave a nonchalant wave. “That’s my rainy day account.”
Farrah’s forehead creased. “Rainy day. What, you expecting a monsoon or something?”
Everyone laughed and Victoria shrugged. “You never know when you’ll need a little emergency cash.”
“A little,” Farrah murmured. Francine gave her sister the evil eye.
“No worries. After ninety-six hours, my algorithm will self-destruct, reversing all transactions,” Robert explained.
“I assume that means the money will revert back to my mother’s account,” Brice concluded.
“Correct,” Robert confirmed.
“Seems easy enough,” Brooke said.
“We should get moving. We have a lot to do still,” Meeks suggested.
“My sister and I will help you pack. Come on, Farrah.” Francine turned toward the bedroom.
“Packing? Where am I going?” Brooke asked, feeling confused.
“Do I look like a maid?” Farrah placed both hands on her hips. “I don’t pack my own things.”
“Excuse me.” Brooke waved her right hand in the air. “Why am I packing?”
Brice turned and faced Brooke. He cupped her bruised cheek. “You’re coming home with me, and before you say no, you’re still my wife and it’s my job to keep you safe. Please let me.”
Brooke could see the fear that clouded Brice’s handsome features and her heart raced as his words replayed in her head. She knew things were still up in the air between them but before she knew it, the truth was flying out of her mouth.
“There’s no place I’d rather be.” She leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips. In spite of everything she’d been through, her desire for Brice was beginning to overwhelm her. “I’ll go pack.”
Meeks pulled out his phone. “I’ll make sure everything’s set up at the house.”
Robert headed for the door. “I’m going to go clear a path to the back exit.” Farrah followed Robert out the door.
“Back exit?” Brice inquired, helping Brooke to her feet.
“Yes, we will drive you both over in our vehicles. I’ll have one of my men bring your car to the house.”
“Is that really necessary?” Brooke asked, feeling weak but safe in Brice’s arms.
“Yes. We want everything to seem normal in the event you’re being watched. We’ll place an agent in the room so to everyone that’s watching it will appear that you’re still staying here,” Meeks elaborated.
“That way, if they try to come after you again here at the hotel, we’ll catch them red-handed,” Francine added.
“Do you think they’ll try something like that again?” Victoria had concern written all over her face.
“No I don’t, but we need to be prepared for anything,” Meeks explained. “We’ll even have someone acting as you leave from here going to the office Monday morning.”
“We’re just covering all our bases. I doubt they’ll expect you to go, considering what they just put you through,” Francine advised. “Your only job this weekend is to get better...stronger.”
“No worries. I’ll make sure of it,” Brice promised, slipping his arm around Brooke’s waist.
“Your place is already like a fortress so we’ll just secure the streets,” Meeks stated.
Victoria collected her things. “I’m going to go now. I need to fill the rest of the family in on these new developments.”
“Victoria—” Brooke stepped out of Brice’s hold and reached for Victoria’s hand “—thank you. I can’t tell you how much your support—”
“Child, please.” Victoria kissed her on the cheek and turned to Brice. “Take care of her, son, or else.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Victoria walked out of the room. Brooke stepped back into Brice’s waiting arms. “What about the staff here?” Brice inquired.
“It’s been taken care of. Everyone thinks Brooke had a slight accident in her room. Only the manager and security team will know what’s really going on,” Meeks informed Brice as he placed a call.
“Can we trust them?”
“We bette
r. They’re my team,” Francine stated matter-of-factly. “This hotel has been our client since they changed owners and remodeled.”
“I should go pack now,” Brooke said.
“I’ll help you.” Francine took Brooke’s hand and walked her back into the bedroom. Brooke was grateful for the assistance as her mind and body were still at odds.
* * *
Brice waited until Brooke crossed the threshold into the bedroom and Meeks finished his call before he asked, “You sure about this plan?”
“I’m sure this is the only way to catch Perez and stop him from hurting Brooke and your family ever again.”
“Do you know what it is that Perez has over Brooke?”
Meeks sighed. “Yes, I do. But before you ask, I can’t tell you. Brooke wants to be the one to share it with you. Just give her some space and a little time.”
“I’m trying, but this is so damn frustrating. Everyone seems to know what’s going on with my wife but me.”
“I know it is, but you two love each other. That’s pretty clear, so I’m sure you’ll be able to work everything out.”
“I hope so.”
Meeks’s phone rang. “Pardon me a second.”
Brice gave him a quick nod and walked out onto the balcony. He was determined to be there for Brooke and protect her, no matter what it cost him. In order to achieve that goal, Brice knew he had to bring his emotions under control. Of all the Kingsley men, Brice was the most rational and thoughtful in making all his decisions. He was the least likely to be ruled by his feelings. Too bad his heart wasn’t complying with his head.
He kept telling himself that, regardless of what might have happened in Brooke’s past, he could deal with it. He loved her and nothing would change that. However, Brice was still determined to find out the truth from Brooke.
“Excuse me, Brice,” Meeks called, stepping out onto the balcony. “We have a problem.”
Brice turned and met Meeks’s concerned gaze. “Another one?”
“After we determined there was no evidence to connect Perez to all the other crimes against your family, we placed one of our agents in his organization. My agent just informed me that Perez is making plans to leave the country...tonight, in about three hours.”
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