“I think you both need to just enjoy it,” Dylan agreed. “You have to believe this is going to work out. You both deserve it.”
“Thanks, Dylan,” Liam said, giving him a grateful smile.
“What about her parents?” Dylan asked. “Do they know about the babies?”
“They don’t know yet,” Liam admitted. “You know how they worry, so Lexi thinks it’s better that she wait till we have the babies. Then go visit and surprise them.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” Dylan replied with a nod.
“How about you?” Liam asked, giving him a questioning look. “You were a little quiet tonight.”
“Just tired,” Dylan shrugged, knowing that wasn’t strictly true. “It’s been a long week.”
“How is Brook?” Liam asked, knowing that for some reason, Dylan had taken a personal interest in this girl. “Has she woken up yet?”
“No,” Dylan shook his head, feeling a little deflated. “And there’s still no sign of her waking up. What about you, any news on Pearse?”
“No,” Liam sighed, and Dylan knew this was something that was bothering Liam too. “He is such a boy scout; I mean he is squeaky clean. Too clean. I wonder if someone is covering his stupid ass, and why they are.”
“What about her family?” Dylan asked hoping that there was something Liam could do to help find someone. “Surely there is someone out there that cares if this girl lives or dies.”
“I think that her father is alive somewhere,” Liam replied. “I haven’t been able to locate a death certificate, but it’s like he’s vanished off the face of the earth. I just worry about how much longer we can keep her name a secret. Pearse has to know that she is the girl that was all over the news. I’m surprised he hasn’t come sniffing around yet.”
“So, until she wakes up, she’s alone?” Dylan sighed, knowing this wasn’t the response he wanted.
“She has you,” Liam said, raising his eyebrows. “I don’t think she’s completely alone.”
“I’m her doctor,” Dylan replied, knowing that’s not what Liam was talking about.
“And should her doctor sleep by her bed almost every night?” Liam asked as Dylan sighed, knowing Liam was getting the wrong idea was the last thing he needed right now.
Yes, he had spent almost every night at her bedside, but he was still just her doctor, and he needed to be sure that she was okay. At least that was what he had told himself, but in his heart, he knew it was more than that. Dylan knew that Liam knew it too.
He just hated that she was so sick, and there was nobody there for her. She was alone, and Dylan hated that she was. Also, he felt somehow responsible for her more than just her doctor. He let her leave with him that day she was in the emergency room. He should have done more back then. This time he was going to get this right.
“Look,” Liam said, clearly sensing he had hit a nerve. “All I’m saying is, be careful. You don’t know this girl. You don’t know what her story is. You’re my brother, and I love you, so I just want you to be safe.”
“I know,” Dylan said, giving Liam a grateful smile before he hugged him. “I love you, too. I promise I will be careful. Right now, I’m guessing I’m just really tired.”
“Then go home and get some proper rest,” Liam said, handing him his helmet. “And I will see you tomorrow.”
“I will, I promise,” Dylan said with a grin as he put his helmet on his head. “Good night, Liam.”
“Good night, Dylan,” Liam said with a nod as Dylan walked down the steps and climbed onto his bike.
Starting the engine, he took a deep breath before he pulled away, heading down the driveway. Liam was right, he needed a good night’s sleep, and hopefully, things would seem a lot less complicated in the morning.
Thirty minutes later, Dylan was sliding open the door to Brook’s room. He had been halfway home, determined he was going to get a proper night’s sleep, when he got an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, so he quickly turned his bike around, and headed straight for the hospital.
When he arrived, the resident that was on call assured him that Brook was fine and that there was no change in her whatsoever. Still, he needed to check for himself.
Now he was standing there; he had no idea what had drawn him back to the hospital. But there he was. He watched her sleeping for a few moments, trying to figure out what the hell he was doing there.
Blowing out a deep breath, Dylan picked up her chart from the end of her bed and began to read through all the latest tests, and her last set of vitals.
Everything seemed to be as they should, so why the hell was she still unconscious?
What are you missing, Murphy? Dylan sighed to himself. Why is she not waking up?
He closed the file once more, releasing a long, frustrated breath before he set the file down on the bed.
When Dylan looked back up, his eyes meet the most piercing blue eyes he had ever seen, and they were filled with nothing but terror.
Brook Pearse was awake.
Chapter 4
Brook
Brook lay there for a few seconds, her heart hammering in her chest as she stared up at the kind, emerald green coloured eyes that were staring back at her. She didn’t know how, but she knew that she knew them, of that she was sure. It was like a memory lost in a fog; a word at the tip of her tongue that she just couldn’t recall.
In fact, all her memories seemed foggy. She considered just closing her eyes, allowing that fog to swallow her once more. But something stopped her. Something at the very back of her mind whispered to her that she needed to stay awake; that she needed to fight. She just had no clue what she was fighting for.
Where am I? She cried in her head as her eyes darted around her unfamiliar surroundings, trying desperately to remember where she was, and more importantly, how she got here. She felt panic wash over her when she realised she had no clue what was going on. All she knew was, something was very wrong. Why do I feel so strange?
She tried to move; she needed to get up and get out of there, but her body felt heavy and tired, her limbs felt weak and unable to move. She had no idea why, but every inch of her body hurt. She wanted to cry out, wanted to scream, but nothing seemed to work. All she could hear was this rhythmic beeping sound, punctuated every few seconds by a hissing sound.
“Brook, you’re awake,” the guy that was standing there said, still looking down at her, giving her a warm smile, as he leaned over and pressed a button on the wall behind her. There was definitely something familiar about him, but right at that moment, her thoughts felt fuzzy, and she couldn’t recall where she knew him from. She recognised his voice, but almost like it was from a dream, she just couldn’t remember what that dream was. “You’re in the hospital. You’re going to be okay. You’re safe now.”
What happened? She thought to herself as she tried to look around the room again, but it was dimly lit, and she couldn’t see very much. She tried to lift her head, but her body just wouldn’t seem to do what she wanted it to do. Nothing worked. Panic wrapped itself around her whole body as her heart hammered even faster in her chest, as the beeping that filled the room began to beep faster. What’s wrong with me?
She had an overwhelming urge to cough; she needed to clear her throat. She tried to swallow, but something was in her throat, and it felt like it was going to choke her. She tried lifting her hand to grab whatever it was that was in her mouth, but she couldn’t really grasp whatever it was. Her arms felt too heavy and weak, and they quickly dropped back down to the bed beneath her.
Her heart hammered faster still, as panic gripped her, and the rhythmic beeping that she could hear began to speed up even faster as she began to choke.
“Brook, it’s okay; you’re okay,” green eyes said, moving closer to the bed. “Please just try to stay calm, there is a tube in your throat, it was to help you breathe. I will take it out; I just need you to try and remain calm.”
WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME? She cried in her head as s
he continued to fight the tube that was in her mouth, as her heart hammered against her chest and an alarm began to ring out around the room.
“Brook,” green eyes said as he continued moving closer to her, touching her softly on the arm. He looked down into her eyes, holding her gaze before he gave her a reassuring smile. She knew him; she recognised his eyes and his face was familiar. She didn’t know how or why, but she knew that he was kind; that he was someone who wanted to help her. “I know you’re scared. This is all very scary and strange to you, but I need you to stay calm. I’m going to take the tubing out of your mouth now, but I need you to try not to fight it.”
She looked at him, trying to take in what he was saying, but everything seemed so muddled in her head.
My head hurts! She cried in her mind once more, as she continued to struggle to breathe. She pinched her eyes closed as the beeping in the room became faster. PLEASE HELP ME!
“Brook,” green eyes said once more, this time his face moved inches from hers. He reached for her hand, squeezing it softly. “Look at me.”
Brook opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. There was something about his voice, something so calming. Brook didn’t know why, but he made her feel better. She trusted him, trusted that he was there to help her. It hurt her head, but she tried to focus on him, on his voice, on what he was saying. She stopped fighting and stared at him expectantly.
“Very good,” he said with a smile, as the door opened to the room and someone walked in, but still he didn’t take his eyes from hers. “Now, I’m going to remove the tube from your throat. This may hurt a little, but I promise you that you’re going to be okay, I need you just to try and blow out as I remove the tubing. Are you ready?”
She nodded weakly, trying her hardest to tell him that she understood what he had said.
“Okay,” he said, smiling once more. She could feel the tips of his hands against her face, as he slowly removed something that appeared to be stuck to her face. As he gentle tugged whatever it was from her skin, pain filled her entire body, starting from her face, working its way outwards.
She whimpered in pain, as it took everything she had not to move, not to react.
Why does everything hurt so much? She thought to herself, as she continued to stare up into this stranger’s warm, green eyes, wishing she could beg him to stop. It hurts; please don’t hurt me!
“I’m sorry,” he whispered giving her a sad smile as if he was reading her mind. “I know it hurts. Your cheekbone is fractured, and even just pulling the tape hurts but I’m nearly done, then I can give you something for the pain. You’re doing really well.”
He smiled at her before he turned and said something to the person that had come into the room moments earlier; then he turned back to her.
“Right, we’re going to give this one more go,” he whispered, giving her another smile. “I’m sorry. I need you to breathe out for me when I say so. This will be over before you know it. I promise.”
Brook just nodded once more as she tried to remain calm, but she was failing miserably. The only sound she could hear now was the sound of her heart drumming in her ears.
Once again, he began to pull the tape from her face, as the pain was almost consuming her. Her eyes were now stinging with hot, salty hears, as a cry escaped from deep inside her.
“I’m sorry, Brook,” green eyes said, sounding so guilty.
Once more she cried out again, the pain in her face was indescribable.
“Almost there, Brook,” he assured her, but this time he didn’t stop. “Just one last bit. Now, breathe out!”
She blew out a long breath, followed by a sob from deep inside her as he pulled the tubing from her throat, but then the pain became too much to bear, until mercifully, she blacked out again.
The sound of beeping crashed into her head, pulling her from the blackness once more. Brook slowly opened her eyes. She wanted to find that this had all been some bad dream. She wanted to wake up in her bed and find that everything was as it was.
As it was? She thought to herself. Pity you don’t remember how it was. Everything was still such a muddle in her head. How had this happened to her?
Warren! She thought to herself. It had to be him.
She wished she could remember, but in her heart she knew whatever it was, he most likely had something to do with it.
Since Brook walked out of his life over two years earlier, she had always believed that this day would come. He promised her that he would kill her if she ever walked away from him, and she knew that he meant it too. This had to be him. Nothing else made sense.
Try to remember! She scolded herself in her mind. You need to get your shit together.
She moved slowly, trying not to hurt anything. This time she moved a little slower, but once more every part of her body ached. She lifted her hand, touching her face, instantly wincing in pain. Everything still hurt her.
“Ouch,” she groaned softly as she tried to move once more. Her arm hurt. She raised it to look at what was wrong, and when she did, she was surprised to see a cast on her hand, running halfway up her arm. Maybe it wasn’t Warren. Maybe she was in some kind of accident.
What the hell happened to me? She thought as she closed her eyes and tried to remember. She searched her thoughts for the last thing she could remember, but it was all so jumbled in her mind.
“How are you feeling?” A familiar voice asked suddenly from somewhere in the room. Brook stilled for a moment. She knew she recognised the voice; she just couldn’t remember where from.
Very slowly, she turned her head in the direction from where the voice came from. As she did, she spotted someone moving closer to the bed. It was the same guy from earlier; the same green coloured eyes.
“I can give you something for the pain,” Dylan said, smiling at her. “But first I need to check you over.”
Brook nodded, then winced once more. She really needed to remember not to move her head.
“You’re going to be okay,” Dylan assured her as he reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re safe. I promise you no one will ever hurt you again.”
“H… how did I get here?” She asked in a dry, croaky voice. It hurt to talk. It hurt to do almost anything. She had the overwhelming desire just to close her eyes, allow the darkness to claim her once more, but something told her she needed to stay awake. She needed to fight this, whatever this was.
“You called Liam,” green eyes said like she was supposed to know what he was talking about. “He found you and got you here. You were very lucky. It was touch and go for a while, but you are a fighter, and by some small miracle, you are still here with us.”
“Liam?” She whispered, giving him a questioning look. She had no clue who Liam was, or why she would have called him.
“My brother,” he explained, a look of concern on his face. “Detective Liam Murphy. Don’t you remember?”
“I… I don’t know,” Brook replied, as she tried to remember, but her head still felt fuzzy, and everything seemed black and muddled in her mind. She could remember flashes, bits and pieces of memories, but none of it made any sense to her. “What happened to me?”
“We don’t know,” he replied, but Brook could see from the look in his eyes that he knew more than he was saying. “All I know is, you called Liam but passed out before you got to speak to him. He tracked your phone and found you. He made it just in time. You were badly hurt. You had been assaulted. Don’t… don’t you remember what happened?”
“I don’t… I think…” she said as she desperately tried to remember what had happened to her. “I don’t remember. Everything seems so mixed up; I can’t… I can’t think…”
“It’s okay,” he assured her, giving her hand another squeeze. “You’ve been through a lot, and you’ve suffered a very serious head injury. It will all come back to you, I promise you. In the meantime, you should try to get some rest, and please don’t worry about this.”
She stared up at him as her min
d spun with so many random and confusing thoughts. There was something about him. Something she could remember, but she knew it was something big.
“I will check back in on you in the morning,” green eyes said with a smile that made her feel safe. “But if you need me, I will be in an on-call room just down the corridor, so have the nurse come get me. I will have her bring you something to help with the pain. It will help you sleep too.”
He stared at her for a moment, like he wanted to say something more, but he didn’t. Instead, he turned and walked slowly towards the door of the little glass cubicle Brook was in.
“I know you, don’t I?” She blurted out suddenly, her voice cracking once more, but she had no clue where the question came from. “I mean, I feel like I do. I just don’t know why.”
“We met before, yes,” he said as he turned and walked slowly back to the bed. “I’m Dylan. But it was a long time ago. Right now, all that matters is, you’re safe, and you are going to be okay.”
“Did… did Warren, my husband… did he do this to me?” She asked the one question that had been in the back on her mind since she woke up — the one question she didn’t want to know the answer to.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Dylan replied. “We have no clue how this happened to you. But I don’t want you to worry about that right now. As for Warren, he doesn’t know you’re here. Not yet. So, you’re safe.”
“But you think he… he did this to me,” she breathed out, as tears finally spilled down her cheeks.
“You’re safe, Brook,” Dylan said, reaching for her hand once more, squeezing it tightly. “And I give you my word; he will never hurt you again.”
That’s when she remembered how she knew who Dylan was.
“You were the doctor,” she whispered, giving him a week smile, her memories became a little clear in parts, and she remembered how she knew Dylan. “You wanted to help me… that night.”
“Yeah,” Dylan said with a sad smile as he sat back down on the chair next to the bed, still holding Brook’s hand. “And I’m so sorry that I didn’t fight harder for you that night. I should have never let you leave with him.”
Dylan (The Murphy Series Book 5) Page 5
