“Oh, God,” she cried, but before she could react, she was pulled from behind. Sean had all but picked her up and pulled her back into one of the supply closets.
“I need you to stay down,” Sean instructed her as he pulled a gun from the waistband at the back of his pants. “Whatever happens, promise me that you will stay in here.”
“You’re not leaving me, are you?” Brook asked, giving Sean a worried look.
“I’m not going anywhere, Sweetheart,” he said as he lifted his foot onto an empty bucket and pulled a small gun from a strap around his ankle, beneath his pants leg. He held it out to Brook. “But just in case, I want you to have this.”
“I don’t know how to shoot a gun,” she said, refusing to take it.
“You just point it at the son of a bitch and pull the trigger,” Sean said, holding it out to her. Brook reached out and grabbed it, her hands shaking as she held the gun tightly.
Suddenly there was banging from outside. Like someone was trying to get through the door to the physio room.
“BROOK!” Warren called out, sounding almost like a completely different person. “BROOK! I KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE.”
“Maybe if I talk to him,” Brook said, knowing she was the reason this was happening.
“Brook, he’s come here to kill you, Sweetheart,” Sean replied. “I think we’re beyond talking now.”
Three shots rang out from outside the door, followed by the sound of glass shattering and Brook knew that Warren wasn’t going to stop till he got through.
“BROOK!” He called again a few moments later, but this time it came from inside the physio room. Somehow, he’d gotten through.
“Sean!” Brook whispered as tears trickled down her face, but Sean just raised his finger to his lips and took his position behind the door. Brook held her breath as she curled into a ball, behind a shelf unit, having no idea what was going to happen next. She just wished she was a million miles away, somewhere safe with Dylan.
Finally, the door opened a fraction, then swung open the rest of the way. Before Warren could come inside, Sean pushed the other door outwards, knocking Warren to the ground. Then Sean was gone. There was a scuffle outside the door, and Brook knew that Sean and Warren were fighting. She also knew that Sean was no match for Warren. He would kill him; then he would come for her.
Suddenly, she knew what she needed to do. She pushed up from the floor, then took a step towards the door, then another. As she stepped outside, she saw Sean lying on the floor, but she didn’t move, she knew she needed to bide her time.
Warren was next to Sean, his back still to Brook as he climbed from the floor. That’s when Brook saw the gun in his hand.
He pointed it at Sean.
Before she could think, she raised her hand, and closed her eyes as two shot rang out, one after another. She dropped the gun to the floor, as finally, her legs gave way, and she dropped to the floor.
There were two shots, but Brook knew she had only pulled the trigger once.
Sean! She screamed in her mind.
Chapter 29
Brook
Brook sat on the trolley and watched the door. She had no clue what was going on, but she just wished someone would come and talk to her. More than anything, she wanted Dylan, but she had no clue where he was.
She remembered being on the floor of the physio room, and everything was strangely quiet for a moment. But then suddenly, there was a flurry of activity, and before she knew it, she was on a gurney, being rushed to an examining room. Everything just seemed so chaotic; Brook could hardly focus on anything anyone was saying.
All she knew was, she needed Dylan, but he never came.
“You’re sure you don’t feel dizzy,” Doctor Abrams asked as he shone a light into her eyes once more.
“Doctor Abrams, I’m fine,” Brook assured him with an impatient sigh, as he turned her to face him. “Nothing happened to me. I was in the closet for the most part.”
“I know, Brook,” the doctor sighed, then added with a worried smile. “But you’ve had quite a scare, and you’re still recovering from a serious head injury. I’m worried that your elevated blood pressure could cause a re-bleed.”
“But I feel fine!” She exclaimed, giving him a pleading look. “I just need to know what’s going on. I need to know that Sean is okay.”
“They are examining him across the hall,” Doctor Abrams sighed, clearly realising the best thing to do was be completely honest with her. “He took quite a beating, but from what I hear, you saved his life.”
“So…so he’s not dead,” Brook whispered, as suddenly tears spilled down her face.
“No, Brook,” Doctor Abrams assured her. “He’s going to be just fine.”
She smiled at the doctor, grateful for his honesty.
“Do you know if Dylan is okay?” She asked, finally asking the one question she had been terrified to ask since this whole nightmare happened. She knew that if Warren had come to the hospital, there was a chance he might have gone after Dylan first. Brook knew in her heart that there was a real chance that Dylan was dead, and she could barely breathe; she was so afraid.
“Why don’t you ask him yourself,” Doctor Abrams replied with a smile as he nodded towards the door.
Brook turned back to the door and burst into tears the moment she saw Dylan standing there. Without missing a beat, Dylan hurried across the room, wrapping Brook tightly in his arms.
“Oh my, God!” Dylan exclaimed, his voice cracking with emotion. “I thought I’d lost you. I was so scared. Are…are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” she sobbed as she pulled back, and looked up into his eyes. “I thought you were dead. When you didn’t come… I thought he’d found you first.”
“The hospital went into lockdown,” Dylan explained. “Liam and I were trapped in the main lobby. I swear, I tried to get to you...”
“I really thought I had lost you,” she whispered as she pressed her face to his chest once more. “Promise me that you will never leave me.”
“Brook, I’m going nowhere, I give you my word,” Dylan said taking her face into his hands, tilting it up to look at his. Then suddenly his smile faded a little and was replaced with a look of concern. “What’s wrong, Brook?”
“I… I think I killed Warren?” She said unsure why this thought made her feel sad. “He was going to kill your father. I had no choice…”
“It’s okay, Brook,” Dylan assured her as he reached up, softly brushing her tears away. “It was him or you, and I’m so glad it wasn’t you. But it’s over now. You’re free.”
“What about your dad?” Brook asked, hating that Sean had gotten hurt saving her life.
“Oh, I’m tougher than I look,” Sean suddenly said from the door of the room. Brook turned to see him standing there with Liam, looking very bruised and battered, but with the biggest smile on his face.
Brook jumped down from the bed she was sitting on and hurried towards the door to Sean, wrapping her arms around him.
“You saved my life,” She whispered, as she held him so tightly.
“And you saved me right back,” Sean replied, hugging her back. “Thank you for that, my sweet girl.”
“I thought that he had shot you,” Brook said, as she released him, and looked him in the eye. “I thought he had killed you because of me. I heard two shots, but I only shot once.”
“Oh, Warren managed to get off a shot,” Liam explained. “But only after you’d hit him. You saved my Dad’s life, Brook. Do you know how brave you are?”
“I just couldn’t let him hurt my family,” Brook replied as she turned to Liam, once more tears spilled down her face. “I mean, I know you are upset that Dylan married me, but…”
“I’m not upset he married you,” Liam said, surprising her with his reaction. “It was never about that. Okay, maybe I was a little hurt that he did it without telling me. But mostly it was about Warren and making everything so much worse. But you know, I think this was his p
lan all along. He was never going to make it in prison. Dirty cops rarely do, and he knew that. He was always going to go down in a blaze of glory, and he was going to try his hardest to take you with him. So, with that been said, I owe you an apology for the things I said last night, to both of you.”
He turned to look at Dylan, giving him a warm smile.
“I was wrong, and I’m sorry,” Liam said, holding out his hand to his brother.
“Wow!” Dylan exclaimed with a chuckle as he took his brother’s hand. “The great Liam Murphy just admitted he was wrong. That’s something that doesn’t happen every day.”
“Don’t get used to it, Asshat!” Liam laughed before he pulled Dylan into a hug before he then turned to Brook. “It’s over Brook. He’s gone. That means you’re finally free.”
Dylan watched as the realisation of what that meant began to sink in for Brook. She was free now. She no longer had to look over her shoulder. She no longer had to be scared.
“I… I can’t believe it,” Brook replied as suddenly tears trickled down her face. But this time they were happy tears. She turned to Dylan, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. “It’s over.”
“You’ll still need to give a statement,” Liam explained, but Brook only focused on Dylan. “But we can do that tomorrow.”
“Will you take me home?” Brook asked as she released him from her embrace, looking up into his eyes.
“I would love to,” Dylan said, kissing her softly on the lips before he turned to look at Doctor Abrams, who was standing quietly on the far side of the room. “What do you say, Doc? Can I take my wife home?”
“Well, she seems fine,” Doctor Abrams said, smiling at Brook. “Dylan can take you home whenever you’re ready to go.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Brook said, giving him a grateful smile, before she turned to Dylan, giving him a broad smile.
“I will get your paperwork sorted,” Doctor Abrams said, patting her on the knee. “I’ll be back.”
“Okay,” Brook replied, giving him another grin before he turned and left the room.
“Are you really okay?” Dylan asked giving her another worried look.
“I am,” she replied giving him a reassuring smile. “I promise.”
“Then let’s get you home, Mrs. Murphy,” Dylan said, kissing her once more.
Dylan
“I would like to propose a toast,” Callum said as he stood up at the dinner table.
Nell had insisted that everyone come to the house for dinner to celebrate. So once more the Murphy family gathered around the dinner table.
“Firstly,” Callum continued. “I would like to congratulate Liam and Lexi on the safe arrival of the two newest additions to the Murphy family. Ella is going to break so many hearts, but probably not as much as Noah. Someone should tell the press; there’s another Murphy Boy in town.”
This was greeted with a cheer from all the men around the table, including Henry, who was happily sitting on Dylan’s knee. Dylan glanced over at Brook and smiled at her. Part of him still couldn’t believe she was sitting there. There was a moment, earlier that day, he was sure he’d lose her forever.
“Secondly,” Callum continued once more, turning his focus to Dylan and Brook. “I would like to congratulate Dylan and Brook, and also take this opportunity to welcome Brook into the family officially. Though this is a big day. The Murphy Boys are all happily married men…”
“Only you’re not married, Assface,” Liam piped up from his seat at the table, earning himself a disapproving look from Nell.
“Daddy is an assface!” Macy added with a loud laugh as she clapped her hands with glee.
“And once more,” Callum smiled, giving Liam an unimpressed look. “Liam teaches my daughter how to swear like a sailor. Thanks for that, Dumbass.”
“Oh!” Henry exclaimed from his seat on Dylan’s knee. “Uncle Callum said dumbass!”
This was met with a chorus of laughter too.
“Sorry,” he smiled, giving Landen and Amelia and apologetic look as Liam just continued to laugh. “So, where was I?”
“You were lying your a… backside off,” Liam chuckled, correcting himself before he swore again.
“Oh yes,” Callum replied, with the biggest smile on his face. “I was saying, all the Murphy boys were happily married men, or at least, they soon will be.”
He looked down at Georgie, who was sitting next to him.
“I’ve asked this beautiful woman to be my wife,” Callum said, reaching for Georgie’s hand. “And she’s actually said yes. So, I guess that in three months from today. The Murphy boys will be officially all married men.”
Everyone stood to congratulation both Callum and Georgie.
“To the Murphy boys!” Dylan said as he raised his glass once they had all returned to their seats, looking around the table at his whole family, giving them a broad smile.
“To the Murphy boys!” Everyone repeated and raised their glasses.
“And to the Murphy girls,” Amelia said from the far end of the table. “We girls have all come from very different backgrounds. But we all found our place in this wonderful family. We are lucky girls indeed.”
“To the Murphy girls!” Everyone echoed once more.
“And to the two most amazing people who are the glue that keeps everything together,” Brook said, as she too stood up. “I am honoured to be part of your family. To Nell and Sean!”
“To Nell and Sean!” The words echoed around the room, and Dylan realised just how truly blessed they all were. In his heart, he knew today could have ended so differently. But it didn’t. They all survived, and that was the biggest gift of all.
“You know your family is amazing,” Brook said as she climbed into bed next to Dylan, later that night. “And also a little nuts.”
“Oh, they’re a lot nuts,” Dylan laughed as he rolled onto his side, propping his head up with his hand. “But they are the best kind of nuts. And I do believe that they officially love you.”
“I think they are pretty awesome too,” Brook smiled, looking up into Dylan’s eyes. “And I thought that maybe tomorrow, we can go by the nursing home and tell my dad that we’re married. I know he probably won’t understand, or even remember, but I still want him to know that I am happy and safe now.”
“I think that sounds like an awesome idea,” Dylan nodded, smiling at her once more.
“Thank you,” she said leaning in, kissing him softly on the lips, before she settled back down on her pillow.
For a few moments, he didn’t say a word. Instead, he just stared at her as his heart swelled with love for her, and suddenly he could feel tears pool in his eyes as he was overcome with emotion.
“Dylan!” Brook exclaimed as she gave him a worried look. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“I was just thinking,” Dylan whispered as his tears broke free. “I could have lost you today. In fact, I nearly did…”
“But you didn’t,” Brook quickly stopped him mid-sentence, reaching up and softly brushing the tears from his face. “I’m right here, and I’m going nowhere.”
“Do you mean that, Brook?” Dylan asked, giving her an uncertain look. “What about New York. I mean, if you still want to go, I meant it when I said I would go too. I will do whatever it takes to make you happy…”
“And leave your crazy family?” She cut him off once more, giving him a wide smile. “Are you insane? Wait… you are insane; you’re a Murphy boy.”
“So, you’ll stay?” Dylan chuckled, giving her a hopeful smile. “You don’t want to go home?”
“I am home,” Brook laughed, leaning in, kissing him softly once more. “I’m with you, and you are all the home I need.”
Dylan leaned in and claimed her lips again, and he gave her a wicked smile. Then, before she had time to say another word, he rolled her onto her back and quickly climbed above her.
“Doctor Murphy,” she giggled as Dylan pulled his t-shirt over his head, throwing it down o
n the floor. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Well, Mrs. Murphy,” Dylan laughed as he kissed her once more before he reached for the hem of her t-shirt. “Yesterday I married the woman of my dreams, but because I was an asshole last night, I never got to have a proper wedding night. I plan on rectifying that mistake.”
“Do you now?” She giggled as he pulled her t-shirt up her body, then over her head.
“I do,” Dylan replied as once more he continued to kiss along her jaw then down her neck. “I hope you weren’t planning on getting much sleep tonight. I am planning on taking my time. Maybe even the whole night.”
“Wow,” Brook laughed, as he reached for her panties. “I can see. I’m going to have my work cut out for me.”
“Well,” Dylan said, as he climbed back up her body, then settled between her legs. “You did marry a Murphy Boy.”
Epilogue
“Uncle Dylan!” Henry said as he came running into the kitchen, dressed in the smallest suit Dylan had ever seen. “Uncle Callum said I’m going to carry a ring.”
“Wow,” Dylan said as he scooped Henry up in his arms. “You know that makes you very special. You better not tell Macy or the other three babies, or they will get very jealous.”
“I won’t,” he replied with a proud smile giving Dylan a big hug.
“Love you, Buddy,” Dylan said before he set the little boy back down on the floor.
“Love you too, Uncle Dylan,” Henry yelled over his shoulder as he headed off in search for someone new to tell his big news too. Dylan smiled to himself as he watched the little boy disappear out the back door.
He turned slowly but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Brook standing in the doorway, watching him closely.
“How long have you been standing there?” Dylan asked, giving her a questioning smile.
“Long enough,” she smiled in return.
He didn’t know why, but he was sure he had never seen her looking more beautiful than she did right at that moment. He slowly walked towards her as his smile widened.
Dylan (The Murphy Series Book 5) Page 29
