Dangerous Beauty (O'Connor Brothers Book 4)

by Rhonda Brewer

  Keith’s phone chirped as she was about to tap her sister’s number. He turned it so she could see her father’s number and held up his finger as he touched the screen.

  “Hello,” Keith answered in a quiet voice. He listened for a moment, but Emily didn’t see any change in his expression. He could be so stone-faced.

  Her phone buzzed in her hand, and her sisters face appeared on the screen. When she held it up for Keith, he shook his head. Why wouldn’t she answer her sister’s call? Being her usual defiant self, she answered.

  “Hello,” Emily pulled the phone from her ear when Elaine’s voice screeched into her ear.

  “Emily, where the hell have you been?” It was so unlike her sister to sound so panicked.

  “Keith’s sister-in-law went into labor, and we brought her to the hospital,” Emily explained.

  “Em, which hospital?” Elaine asked.

  “The Health Science Center.” Keith was still talking on the phone, but his gaze hadn’t moved from her.

  “Em, they found her.” Every bit of air whooshed out of her, and it took a moment before she could remember how to breathe again.

  “They… found her…. Mom?” Emily’s voice cracked.

  A million questions ran through her head, but she was terrified to ask them. The first. Was her mother alive?

  “She’s alive,” Elaine answered the unspoken question.

  “She is?” Huge tears overflowed and streamed down her cheeks.

  “Yes, we’re in the Emergency Department,” Elaine told her. Without another word, Emily grabbed her purse and ran out of the waiting room. Before she made it through the door, a hand wrapped around her arm and yanked her to a stop.

  “Where are you going?” Keith backed her up until she was against the wall.

  “My mother’s down in the emergency department.” The tears wouldn’t stop, but she didn’t care. “She’s alive.”

  “I know, but you can’t go running off without me.” Keith held her shoulders in his strong hands and heat radiated through her body.

  “Keith, I’ll be fine. You need to stay with your family.” Emily tried to shrug off his grasp, but his hands slowly slid down her arms and took her hands.

  “Princess, almost all my family’s in that room. I’m not letting you out of my sight. Just let me tell them what’s going on, and we can go.” He didn’t release her hand until she nodded, and even after he disappeared into the waiting room, she could still feel the warmth of his touch.

  Emily realized she hadn’t hung up her phone, but when she looked at the screen, the call had ended. She texted her sister and told her she was on the way. While she listened to the low rumble of Keith’s voice explaining things to his family, she rested her head against the wall and stared up at the ceiling.

  A cold chill ran down her spine, making the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She stood up straight and looked around. Out of the corner of her eye, a dark figure disappeared around the corner. She started to head in the direction, but a hand caught hers.

  “Are you ever going to listen to me?” Keith shook his head and squeezed her hand gently.

  “I thought I saw someone staring at me.” Emily motioned towards the elevator and then shook her head. “I’m just being paranoid.”

  “Stay here.” Keith never gave her a chance to answer as he dropped her hand and jogged down to the elevators. He scanned both ways and then turned around. When he shrugged his shoulders, Emily wanted to crawl under a chair and disappear. She’d never been the type to overreact.

  Great! I’m going crazy.

  Chapter 10

  The Emergency room was overcrowded as usual, and Emily frantically searched for her family. Keith kept her hand in his because it seemed to be the only thing to keep her from falling apart, or at least it was the reason he told himself. Her mother had been missing for almost three weeks, and Keith was sure the things going through Emily’s head were horrific.

  “Could you tell me where the family of Lynn Ann Bradshaw is waiting?” Keith asked a stern looking nurse.

  “Who are you?” Nurse crappy attitude asked as she looked him up and down.

  “This is her daughter, Emily and I’m her….” Keith glanced at Emily. For some reason, he was at a loss as what to call himself.

  “This is my good friend,” Emily interjected.

  “I’m sorry, I can only let family inside.” The woman snapped at Emily. Keith had to press his lips together to keep himself from giving the nurse a piece of his mind. For someone that was supposed to make people feel better, the nurse was not the best example of a health care professional.

  “I’m in no mood for this,” Emily muttered and stepped in front of Keith. “I don’t know who stuck a stick up your ass, but I need you to bring me to my family. Keith will be coming in with me because he’s here to support me. If you can’t do that, then get me someone who can.”

  Keith cringed. To hear Emily sound so rude didn’t sit well with him. It was obvious she was scared but acting like a spoiled brat wasn’t going to work with nurse cranky ass.

  “There are regulations, Ms. Bradshaw and rules state only the family are permitted.” It seemed the woman wasn’t intimidated easily.

  Emily pulled out her phone and Keith saw her tap her father’s number. From the way her face fell, her call didn’t go through. She tried tapping her brother and sister’s number, but Keith could see she wasn’t getting anywhere.

  Keith dug his phone out of his pocket and scrolled down to the number he knew would get results. It only rang once, then he heard the southern twang of Rex.

  “Hey, Rex. Could you come out to the emergency department and show us where Emily’s family are located. We aren’t getting any luck from nurse Cratchet out here.” Keith kept his voice quiet.

  “Gray hair and pointy nose?” Rex asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Yep, she’s a ray of sunshine that one.” Rex chuckled. “I’ll be there in ten seconds.

  Keith turned to speak to Emily, and he swore he could see smoke coming out of her ears.

  “Could you at least go get one of my family and tell them I’m here,” Emily growled.

  “I can’t leave the triage.” The nurse snapped.

  “You know, you’re a ….” Keith tapped Emily on the shoulder to stop her before she got herself kicked out of the hospital.

  “It’s okay.” Keith motioned to Rex holding open the security door.

  Before Keith could stop her, Emily turned back to the nurse who was glaring at them. Emily lifted her hand and raised her middle finger, but Keith stepped in front of her and guided her through the door.

  “She can have you removed from the hospital,” Keith whispered next to her ear as the door closed behind them. He didn’t miss her sudden intake of breath or the shiver. “Stop acting like a spoiled little rich girl. I know that’s not you, Princess.”

  The statement probably stung, but he’d learned Emily was not that type of person. He was learning pretty quickly she didn’t like the snobby way the women from her town acted.

  Emily sighed several times as she tried to walk by Rex, but his guy went by the book, and since he was one of the security for the family he stayed in front. It was obviously pissing Emily off. Rex was former American military, and there was no doubting it with the way he held himself.

  Emily stopped at the door of the waiting room. Her father sat with his hands clasped in front of his face, elbows rested on his knees and his eyes closed. Edward sat in a similar position, but his eyes were focused on the small window in the room. Elaine was curled up on a couple of the chairs with her eyes closed. From the smooth rhythm of her breathing, she was asleep.

  Nelson told him that they’d tried to get in touch with Emily for hours. They’d been at the hospital for a while, and they were all exhausted.

  Keith scanned the room out of habit. There were other people in the room which wasn’t surprising. He’d met the two men who’s heads snapped up from their ph
ones when Emily walked in. The Becker brothers Ken and Elliot worked for Nelson. When Keith had first met them, they looked at him as if he was no better than a piece of dirt on their shoes. He didn’t like them and figured out pretty quickly they probably had their noses so far up Nelson’s ass they’d have to come out for air. It did make him really uncomfortable the way they were ogling Emily.

  The couple was new to him, but from the glare the woman gave him, she didn’t seem to like the look of Keith. The man glanced up from his phone when they walked in but didn’t appear to think their entry was as important as what was on his phone. The woman whispered to the man and then stood up.

  Here we go.

  “Dad,” Emily moved towards her father as the woman walked towards him. Keith did his best to ignore what he knew was coming and focus his attention on Emily and the leering asshole.

  “Emily, thank God you finally got here.” Her father stood up and seemed to wince when he got to his feet.

  “Dad, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just tired and fed up. They’re not telling us anything.” He wrapped his arms around her, and she clung to him.

  “Let me see what I can find out,” Emily kissed his cheek.

  It was the last thing he’d heard before his attention was drawn to the woman who’d put herself in his line of vision.

  “I’m Judy Palmer, and I’m a dear friend of the family. I don’t think you should be in here with us. Who exactly are you?” She said with a hint of detest.

  “I’m Ms. Bradshaw’s personal security, Mrs. Palmer.” Keith didn’t show any emotion as he met the woman’s glare.

  “We’re keeping this room strictly for the family, so we’d appreciate all employees of the Bradshaw’s to wait outside the room.” Keith didn’t want to cause a scene so when the woman motioned to the door, Keith went with it, but not before he turned to see what could only be described as an enraged Emily.

  Emily stomped over with her hands fisted at her sides, and her face was so red that Keith was waiting for it to explode.

  “Excuse me, Judy,” Emily’s voice was surprisingly calmer than she appeared.

  “Emily, I was just showing your security detail where he can wait with the other one.” Judy touched Emily’s shoulder softly.

  “Thank you, Judy, but with all due respect, it’s neither your duty or business as to who can stay in the room with my family. First of all, there are already several people here who are not family. Keith may be my security detail, as you put it, but he’s also my friend, and he’ll be waiting inside the room with me.” Keith was doing his best not to laugh, but damn if the woman didn’t make him want to give her a round of applause, or maybe a kiss.

  “Emily, I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone.” Judy’s gaze traveled up and down Keith as if he were nothing but a piece of garbage. Which was what the bitch probably thought.

  “First of all, Judy, I said friend, and secondly, I wasn’t aware you were supposed to be informed about my dating life.” Emily put Mrs. Palmer in her place.

  “There isn’t a need for being so rude, Emily. Your mother would be very upset with how you’ve treated her friend.”

  “Judy, the only reason you even acknowledge my mom is because she’s the chair of the Sweet Heart Ball, and you’re only here to find out if that position will need to be filled.” Emily stood in front of him putting herself between Keith and Judy. “Just so you know. If anything happened to mom, Elaine takes over for her. If you still want to stay, I suggest you go back and sit with your husband and mind your own business.”

  Without waiting for a response, Emily turned and linked her fingers into Keith’s large hand. He wrapped his fingers around hers, and it felt so damn good.

  “Dad, I’m going to find the doctor,” Emily called as she tugged Keith’s hand. He almost laughed at the curious glances from everyone in the room, but what surprised him was Nelson’s smile.

  “Not that I mind you telling that lady off, but can you please fill me in on what just happened,” Keith whispered as he walked next to her.

  “I hate fake people and ones that don’t know how to keep their noses out of other people’s business.” Emily looked into the small room across from the waiting area. Nurses and doctors scurried around and didn’t seem even to notice them standing there.

  “You were a little harsh with her.” Keith squeezed her hand gently.

  “You don’t know what it’s like to deal with those type of people all your life. Just because I didn’t want to cow down to being an uptight snob, they all treated me like I was lower than low, and when you’re dating any of their sons, well, they do everything to end that.”

  “You dated her son?” Keith couldn’t see Emily dating some uptight asshole.

  “I don’t want to talk about this right now.” Emily didn’t seem comfortable talking about her ex, but the thought of her with anyone made that green eyed monster crawl to the surface. “Excuse me could you tell me what doctor is caring for my mother? Her name is Lynn Ann Bradshaw.”

  Thank God it wasn’t the bitchy nurse from the reception area of the hospital. Emily probably would have punched her.

  “It’s Dr. Adam Cramer. He’s in with her now. I’ll let him know that your family is anxious for news.” The young nurse’s gaze moved to Keith, and he smiled at her. The sweet thing blushed.

  “Thank you, we appreciate it,” Keith guided Emily away from the doorway.

  “You enjoy doing that, don’t you?” Emily leaned against the wall outside the waiting room.

  “Doing what?” She still hadn’t let go of his hand, and he didn’t care. It felt good. Too good.

  “Come on, you give a little smile and girls give you that ‘I’m available’ look.” Emily batted her eyes at him.

  “I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about, but I like the way you flutter your eyes.” Keith grinned.

  “Nice distraction technique there.” Emily rolled her eyes. He wasn’t naïve. He could tell Emily was attracted to him. Not that he was arrogant.

  “Just so you know. I know Dr. Cramer. He’s a good doctor.” He glanced down into her beautiful blue-grey eyes. “He saved my brother John’s life.”

  “John almost died?”

  “He hit a moose on the Southern Shore highway a few years back. Dr. Cramer saved him.” It was the same day that they’d buried James’ first wife and the family was so terrified. Keith couldn’t remember being so scared in his life.

  “Stephanie’s husband? Right?” Emily asked.

  “Yes. She was actually his physical therapist. They fell in love, and the rest is history.” Keith shrugged and leaned against the wall next to her. He glanced over at Rex, who raised his eyebrow and gave him a smirk. That was going to happen a lot if he continued to let himself get close to Emily, like this. He didn’t care.

  Emily was getting impatient waiting for Adam, but when she started to fidget, he’d say something to make her smile or give her hand a gentle squeeze. He wasn’t sure how he was doing it, but she would seem to calm a little everytime.

  “There’s the doctor,” Keith saw Adam coming through the door.

  “How are ya, Keith?” Adam shook his hand.

  “Hangin’ in there, Adam.” Keith released Emily’s hand and felt the loss immediately. “This is Mrs. Bradshaw’s daughter, Emily.”

  Adam glanced down at her and nodded his head.

  “Ms. Bradshaw, It’s nice to meet you. I understand the rest of your family is inside the waiting room.” He motioned towards the door.

  “Yes, but there’s others in there as well. Do you think we can find a room to talk to the family in private, Adam.” Keith asked.

  “Of course, there’s a room just up here. Meet me there.” Adam nodded and headed down the hall.

  Keith entered the room and told her father the doctor wanted the family to meet him in the room down the corridor. Judy and the Becker brothers stood up to follow.

  “I’m sorry but family only,” Kei
th said with great satisfaction.

  The Becker brothers sat right back down and shrugged. It didn’t seem to bother them that they were being kept out, but Judy was a whole different story. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him and Keith really expected her to cause a fuss. That was until her husband sat back down and clasped his hand around her arm. Judy didn’t say a word. She eased back down in the seat and rested her hands in her lap

  Keith stepped back so Nelson, Edward, and Elaine could exit the room. Nelson stopped just outside the room and turned towards him.

  “Thanks, for that Keith.” He slapped Keith on the shoulder. “They all showed up just before you and Emily, and I honestly don’t know why they’re here.”

  “You’re welcome, Mr. Bradshaw.” Keith nodded.

  “From what I just saw, I think you can start calling me Nelson.” He turned before Keith could respond and headed towards the room where Emily stood with the door held open.

  “What’s going on there, Rusty?” Rex whispered.

  “Not really sure,” It was the only response he could come up with because he really didn’t know.

  The only thing he was sure of was, he had an overpowering urge to protect Emily, not because he was hired to do it. He’d heard his brothers and father talk about how they felt the first time they met the women they loved. Was this what it felt like? Then there was Cora and her little comments that first day. Was Emily the one?

  Chapter 11

  “Keith, can you and Rex come in here as well?” Emily needed Keith close to her. She was terrified to hear what the doctor was about to say, but if she asked just for Keith, it would look a little odd.

  Emily managed to arrange herself so that she was sat next to Keith. She was also trying to control the urge to take his hand again. What the hell was wrong with her? He wasn’t her boyfriend, but he was the one keeping her calm the entire day.