Stephanie narrowed her eyes at him.
“What?”
“Do you have to be so cold?” Stephanie said.
“No. It’s okay. I don’t blame him.” Sandy took a deep breath and Stephanie held her hand. “Kim is my half-sister. We’ve got the same father but different mothers. Our father is Stewart Michaels. Kim has a relationship with him. I don’t. He left my mother for Kim’s mother, and I haven’t had anything to do with him.”
“What does this have to do with who’s trying to hurt Stephanie?” John groaned.
“Let her finish for the love of God.” Stephanie was growing as annoyed with John as Kurt and everyone else.
“John, she wouldn’t let me tell you we were related,” Sandy said. “Kim was trying to get me to talk to our father. It was just a crazy coincidence that you started dating her.”
John’s jaw clenched.
“Anyway, she tried again at the fundraiser, but I refused. Half way through the fundraiser, she told me she heard a woman in the bathroom laughing about how her boyfriend was going to make his ex-girlfriend’s life a living hell.”
“Erica Reid?” Keith said.
“Yes, I really didn’t pay any attention to Kim, but when I got home I did some research on her. I found out she lived in the same building as Kim. Something told me Kim knew more than she was saying. I called her and she told me the only way she would tell me anything was if I met with our father. I’m sorry, but I hung up on her.” Sandy sighed. “Then I got a text from her saying she wanted to talk to me and that it was important. She knew who was trying to hurt Stephanie. She told me to get there right away. She could prove who was doing this.”
“What did she tell you?” Kurt asked.
“Something about a black car, and then she passed out.” Sandy sobbed. “She was on the floor bleeding.”
“She must have called me right after she sent the text,” Stephanie said.
“You should have told me what was going on, Sandy.” Keith was firm but not in an angry way.
“I know.” Sandy lowered her head.
“She thought she was doing the right thing. Jesus, leave the girl alone.” Ian snapped. All eyes turned to him. Sandy met his eyes and gave him a weak smile.
“Ian’s right,” Kurt said.
Stephanie’s phone beeped and everyone looked at her. She tapped the screen and froze. Brad texted her.
Stephanie, I really need to talk to you. Please, I know who’s trying to hurt you.
“John!” Stephanie shouted and passed John the phone.
“How the fuck does everyone know who’s doing this, except for us?” John growled.
“Text him back and tell him you’re on the way,” Kurt said.
“What if it’s him?” Stephanie cringed.
“We’ll be there with you,” Keith said.
She texted Brad and asked him where to meet. Her heart stopped when he gave her the address of the same apartment building where Kim lived.
“He’s at his old apartment.” Stephanie gasped.
“There’s something else I’ve got to tell you guys before you go there.” Sandy stood up.
“What?” John snapped. Stephanie didn’t like the way John was treating Sandy.
“Stephanie you’ve got to believe me. I didn’t know until the fundraiser. Kim told me. Your ex Brad.” Stephanie nodded. “He’s also my brother or my half-brother.”
“You’re telling me, both of our exs are your siblings?” John roared at Sandy.
“Look, John, I don’t have any dealings with my father. He’s a fucking whoremaster that can’t keep his dick in his pants. Fuck, I probably have twenty more siblings that I don’t know about. I hate him. I fucking loathe my father. He’s the reason my mother is dead. So all the yelling and glares you’re giving me couldn’t make me feel any worse than I already do. I love Stephanie. She’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a best friend.” Sandy took a deep breath and continued. “I don’t want her hurt any more than you do. Yes, I kept this from you, but it wasn’t to hurt her or you. Damn it, John, you’re more like my fucking brother than Brad. Can’t you see this is killing me?” Sandy was shaking.
Stephanie was still in shock. She’d never heard Sandy curse. It was like she was looking at a stranger. Still, Stephanie stood and wrapped her arms around the sobbing girl. Sandy clung to her. The whole room was so quiet and the only thing you could hear was Sandy’s racking sobs. After a few minutes John spoke.
“I’m sorry, Sandy,” John said. “I know none of this is your fault.”
“I just wanted to find out for sure.” Sandy wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I was going to tell Keith after I talked to Kim.”
“Look, we can figure all this part out later. Right now we have to see what Brad wants.” Stephanie said.
The next time John spoke was when they returned to the apartment building. “I really don’t like this.” He scrutinized the front of the building. This was the first time he spoke since they left the hospital. Stephanie knew he was worried, but she wanted this over and wanted it over now.
“We’ve got to find out what he knows.” She was tired of being afraid. Tired of waiting for something else to happen. Scared that the next time she could be killed or worse someone she loved would be killed.
John squeezed her hand as he helped her out of the car. She didn’t bother to look for Keith or Kurt. They were close. She didn’t doubt it for a minute. John kept her hand in his as the elevator doors opened to the sixth floor. Brad’s apartment was the last one on the right. They walked down the hall. John’s eyes constantly scanning the hallway. They stopped in front of Brad’s door. Stephanie took a deep breath and knocked. The click of the door unlocking sounded so loud. She glanced at John. His jaw was clenched and he was holding her hand so tightly that it was becoming painful. When the door opened she expected to see Brad, but to her surprise a woman opened the door.
Erica.
“Stephanie, it’s good to finally meet you.” Erica’s smile faltered a little when she noticed John. “Oh, and you brought your boyfriend. Brad is just in the shower. Come on in.”
John positioned himself between her and Erica Stephanie walked into the living room when a loud grunt and a thud had Stephanie spinning around. John was on the floor. Erica had a baseball bat in her hand and it was resting against her shoulder.
“What did you do to him?” Stephanie gasped.
“Oh, I just knocked him out for a bit.” Erica’s smile changed. It turned sinister and Stephanie’s blood ran cold.
“Where’s Brad?” Stephanie backed into the living room. She had nowhere else to go. Erica was blocking her only exit.
“Oh darling, don’t worry about Brad. Let’s just say, he’s resting.” Stephanie’s heart was thudding in her chest. “I’ve tried everything to get Brad to forget you, but he won’t marry me. Do you know why?” Erica tilted her head. Stephanie shook her head. “He still loves you. So when I get rid of you, he’ll be free.”
“Erica, you don’t have to do this.” Stephanie needed to stall for time. She knew Kurt and Keith were supposed to be right behind them. “Brad and I are over, I’m in love with John.”
“You may have moved on, but Brad is obsessed with you.” Erica looked like an animal about to pounce. Her teeth were showing and her eyes narrowed. Stephanie backed herself into the sofa. There was nowhere else to go. She tried to move away, but before she could move, Erica launched through the air knocking her to the ground. Erica was bigger and stronger. She sat on Stephanie’s chest and wrapped cold hands around Stephanie’s neck. She couldn’t breathe or think. The more she struggled the tighter Erica squeezed. In her peripheral vision, she could see John motionless on the floor. The sight made the lessons with Jess come flowing back.
Stephanie lifted her knees as if she was doing a crunch. They connected with Erica’s back. Erica grunted and fell forward. Stephanie pushed her off and rolled away. She jumped to her feet but before she could get away, Erica grab
bed her hair and yanked her back. Stephanie fell back against the floor. Erica was on top of her again. Stephanie balled her fist and punched Erica in the jaw. Erica screamed and fell to the side. Stephanie jumped to her feet and ran to John. He was still breathing. Where the hell were Kurt and Keith? Erica shrieked. Stephanie turned just in time to see Erica running toward her. Stephanie scrambled to her feet and ran to the door. She tried to open it, but it was locked. She turned back to the hallway.
“You bitch!” Erica screamed and ran at her. Stephanie waited until she was arm’s length away and did exactly what Jess showed her. She grabbed Erica by the back of the head and slammed her against the door. Erica grunted and staggered back. Stephanie kicked out and connected with Erica’s thigh. Erica crumpled to the ground, her screams were piercing. Stephanie was pissed now. How dare this bitch try to kill her? Stephanie jumped on top of Erica. Her fist connected with the bitch’s nose. Stephanie’s adrenaline was pounding through her body. Erica rolled on top of her. A fist connected with Stephanie’s cheek. The pain shot through her jaw. She shook off the dazed feeling and used all her strength to push out from under Erica.
Erica suddenly went perfectly still on top of her. Stephanie heard a soft click. Her vision was blurred, but there was a small shadow behind Erica. She couldn’t see who it was.
“Get the fuck up off her. Now.” Stephanie knew that voice. “If you don’t, I won’t hesitate to blow your fucking head off.” Sandy. Erica slowly crawled off of Stephanie. Erica’s hands were held up in the air as she moved backward.
“Sandy?” Sandy held out her free hand to Stephanie. Her eyes stayed on Erica. Stephanie grabbed her hand and stood up.
“Are you okay?” Sandy asked. Sandy’s glare was ice cold. Stephanie was very glad it wasn’t directed at her. The woman Stephanie knew as warm and friendly was gone.
“I’m fine, but how did you get in here? The door was locked,” Stephanie stared at her.
“The lock is pretty flimsy. Check on John.” Sandy walked toward Erica with the gun pointed straight at her head. “Where’s Brad?” Sandy snarled.
“What do you care?” Erica snapped.
“If you’ve hurt him, I swear I’ll beat you within an inch of your life,” Sandy yelled. Stephanie shivered as she held John’s head on her lap. This Sandy was frightening. Before Erica answered, Keith, Kurt, James and four other police officers ran in through the door.
“How the hell did you get here before we did?” James glanced at Sandy.
Sandy didn’t answer. She didn’t even seem to be aware James had spoken. Stephanie was worried. This wasn’t like Sandy at all. When Sandy pressed her gun against Erica’s head, Stephanie gasped. Sandy was going to kill Erica if someone didn’t stop her.
Keith knelt down next to John and put his finger to John’s neck. He looked up at James and Kurt and nodded.
“I think you better get Sandy to lower her gun,” Stephanie whispered to Keith.
“Sandy?” Kurt slowly approached Sandy from behind. “I need you to lower your weapon.” Kurt reached around her and covered her hand with his around the gun.
“She won’t tell me where Brad is.” Sandy’s voice was so different. “Where’s my brother?” Even with Kurt holding Sandy’s hand over her gun, she still managed to push Erica’s head back with the muzzle.
“Sandy, we got this.” James and Keith were next to her now. Kurt managed to get her to release the gun while James handcuffed Erica. Although, Erica was probably going to have to go to the hospital before they took her to jail. Stephanie definitely learned how to defend herself. Thanks, Jess.
“You need to find out where he is.” Sandy almost fell to her knees, but Kurt held her up and walked her to the closest chair. A line of police quickly made their way through the rooms. The sound of doors opening and officers yelling all clear. James picked Erica up off the floor, she fought him as she screamed obscenities at Sandy. Sandy didn’t flinch. She glared at Erica until James led her out of the apartment.
“Sandy, how did you know to come here?” Kurt asked her. Sandy shook her head. It was as if she was in some sort of trance and Kurt brought her out of it. Tears started to run down her cheeks.
“I remembered Erica owned a black car. As soon as I put together what Kim tried to tell me before she passed out….” She sobbed.
A lump formed in Stephanie’s throat.
“So you came here?” Kurt asked. Sandy met Stephanie’s eyes.
“He’s my brother. I didn’t think, I just got in my car and came here. There’s a back entrance that I use when I come to see Kim. I know I just found out about him, but he’s my family.” Sandy stared at Stephanie. It was like a silent plea to understand. Stephanie did. Sibling bonds were strong. Even if they just met.
“Do you know where he is?” Kurt asked. She shook her head. Stephanie jumped when a loud shout came from one of the bedrooms.
“Sir, there’s a man in the back bedroom. He’s unconscious but breathing.” Sandy pulled away from Kurt and ran in the direction of the voice. Stephanie gazed down at John. He still wasn’t moving. He was breathing, but it seemed like he’d been out a long time. A shuffling sound drew her attention to paramedics bringing a gurney through the apartment.
“This is John O’Connor, 29 years old. He was knocked out with that bat. He’s breathing and has a strong pulse but hasn’t come too.” Keith told the paramedics. “We’ve got another man in the bedroom. Name Brad King, not sure of his age but he’s unconscious. Looks like he may have been drugged.” One of the paramedics followed Keith to the bedroom. The other stayed with John.
“Is he going to be okay?” Stephanie didn’t even realize she was crying.
“He’s got a nasty bump, but his vitals are strong.” The paramedic held up the syringe. “We’ll get him to the hospital so they can do a scan. We’ll know more after that.” Stephanie nodded as the paramedic checked John. She looked as Kurt came out of the back room.
“Looks like Brad’s going to be fine,” Kurt said. Thank God. She didn’t love Brad, but he didn’t deserve this. How did all this happen? Why did Erica hate her so much?
“Miss, we really have to get him to the hospital.” She reluctantly let go of John’s hand. As she stood up she staggered back against the wall. The paramedic grabbed her to steady her. “I think you better come with us.” The paramedic said. Keith wrapped his arm around her and led her out of the apartment. Keith didn’t let go until Stephanie was in the back of the ambulance. Keith smiled at her as the doors closed. He did know how to smile.
Chapter 27
John’s head hurt like hell. He couldn’t believe he was so careless. He was so stupid to turn your back on a possible suspect. Erica could have killed Stephanie. Now he was stuck in the hospital again. The doctors wanted to keep him for observation for twenty-four hours. Stephanie was sitting next to his bed, which made it a little easier. Everything was easier with her in his life.
John still couldn’t believe Sandy worked for Keith, and to top it off she worked for the R.C.M.P and N.P.D, when they needed her. From the information, Kurt gave him, Sandy was also called in by different government departments to check their network security. The woman was a freaking genius. No wonder she worked for Keith. It figured Keith would find people who were as brilliant as he was. Keith was also a genius, although you would never know it. He didn’t flaunt his intelligence. He’d never have guessed Sandy was the same. John leaned his head back against the pillow and sighed.
“Are you okay?” Stephanie was holding his hand.
“I’ve got a headache but nothing too bad. I just can’t get my head around what we found out about Sandy.” Stephanie’s expression change. “What’s wrong, honey?”
“I guess I feel a little hurt because she never told us about Kim and Brad.” Stephanie sat next to him on the bed. “I thought she was my friend.”
“I am your friend.” Sandy walked into the room with Keith, Kurt, and James.
“What are you doing here?” J
ohn didn’t realize he was angry with Sandy until he saw her.
“She’s here to explain.” Kurt’s tone told him he better listen.
Kurt sat on the chair next to the bed and James leaned against the window sill on the other side of the room. Keith stood behind Sandy. Sandy moved to the foot of the bed. Her hands clasped in front of her. She seemed to be searching for what to say. When she looked up John saw the tears in her eyes.
“Before I explain, I just want to say I’m so sorry. I never knew Erica was trying to hurt Stephanie. I’ve only known about Brad being my brother since the fundraiser like I told you.” She glanced at Stephanie. “I don’t expect you to accept my apology, but I just wanted to let you know.”
“Start at the beginning, Sandy,” Keith said. Sandy took a deep breath.
“I found out Kim was my sister three years ago. She’s younger than me and was raised by our father after her mother died. That’s why the different last names. She contacted me because my father wanted a relationship with me. I think he was trying to fix his guilty mind. He assumed if Kim made the initial contact, I’d be more willing to meet with him.” Sandy paused.
“He was never part of my life and left my mother to raise me on her own. My mother worked two jobs to make sure I had everything I ever needed. When I was eight the school told my mom I needed to be in a school for gifted kids. They recommended a school in Ontario. I forget the name now. It was very expensive. My mom couldn’t afford it.” Keith passed Sandy a box of tissues. Tears were streaming down her face.
“So, being the great mom she was, she swallowed her pride and called Stewart. His response was to take him to court. My mom never contacted him again and worked hard to make sure I got all the education I needed here. She hired special teachers to, as she put it, help me thrive. When I was twenty she passed away.” Stephanie reached out and took Sandy’s hand.
“Keith told me about the house next to you. He said his brother lived there, but I had to keep my job with him quiet. I understood. Then we became friends. It was hard not to tell you.” Sandy took another deep breath.
Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) Page 26
