Protecting You (The Boston irkpatricks #1)

by S. Donahue

  There was so much chaos going on when I arrived back. Joella’s parents were still in the room. There was a nurse sitting at the station.

  “What’s going on?” I asked

  “Joella opened her eyes.”

  “She did?”

  “Yes.”

  I’m so relieved. I just wish I was with her when it happened.

  “Can I go in the room? I know only two people can go in at one time, but I need to see her.”

  “Sure. Follow me.”

  I walked into the room, not knowing what to expect. I have been waiting for this moment. She was lying in the bed propped up. Her eyes were open and she was awake, but she couldn’t speak. It was probably because of the tubes that were in her throat. She was probably sore.

  When she saw me, she smiled. She tried to life her hand to motion me over, but she was still weak. Her left arm was in a sling.

  “It’s okay, sweetie. I’m coming to you.”

  I grabbed her hand and kissed it. Her parents and the nurses looked on at our connection.

  “I’m so happy, you’re awake. I’m never leaving your side ever again. I love you.”

  Tears rolled down her cheeks. I wiped them away.

  “Don’t cry.”

  Doctor Mansfield came into the room. He shook my hand. I introduced him to her parents.

  “Well, this is a good sign. I just want to check her over. If all looks good, we can move her into a regular room. She will be in here for another week or so. I want her to be one hundred percent before I release her. I’m just going to ask everyone to leave the room.”

  We all left single file out of the room. I felt a sense of relief. I called everyone to let them know she was awake. They were all happy to hear the news.

  My fear was that she wouldn’t remember me when she woke up. Even though she couldn’t speak, when we looked into each other’s eyes it was as if no time had passed between us.

  I feel very lucky to have Joella and I’m going to love her every minute of every day that we are together. We may have a tough road ahead of us, but as long as we compromise and work together, we can make anything happen.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Joella

  I opened my eyes to see my parents and the nurse standing by my bed. The nurse was checking my blood pressure. I’m not sure how long I have been asleep, but I can’t speak to ask. I feel like it has been a year. My arm is in a sling and I can’t move it. I still feel weak. I’m looking around the room for Brendan, but I don’t see him. All the nurses are shuffling around, checking machines. My parents are crying. I’m wondering what the hell is going on. I wish I could write it down on a piece of paper. My throat is so sore, I feel like I have laryngitis.

  A nurse just walked into the room with Brendan following behind her. I feel my heart drop at the site of him. I try to motion him over, but I can’t lift my hand. We read each other’s eyes and he comes to me. It’s as if no one else is in the room. He tells me he loves me. My heart is swelling and tears are welling. They start falling down my cheek. He wipes them away. I want to tell him I love him back, but I can’t speak. This man is my soul mate sent to heal me from the inside out.

  Three Days Later…

  I finally have my strength and voice back. I’m not fully recovered, but it’s a start. I’m still in the hospital, but Brendan has been by my side the entire time. I had to write him a note on Sunday telling him to go home and take a shower because the wallpaper was going to start peeling from his stench.

  The doctor had me moved to a regular room the day I woke. Anyone can come and visit me, so Brendan gave everyone schedules. He wanted me to rest in between visits. I love that he cares about me and is being overprotective but now that my voice is back, I can put him in check.

  Brendan informed me of all the events that went down while I was comatose. I couldn’t believe what he was telling me. The biggest shocker of all was that Connor is alive. I met him yesterday and he is a really great guy. He thanked me for everything that I did for him. He was especially thankful for having Callie in his life. He said if it wasn’t for me, it wouldn’t be possible. I don’t feel that way, but I thanked him politely. Brendan has him penciled in for 5 P.M. in case he decides to come back. He wasn’t sure when he was here yesterday.

  Right now, I’m on a lunch break and then my parents and sister are coming to say goodbye before they catch their plane back to Philadelphia. My brother-in-law is at the hotel getting everything together for them to head home.

  “This food sucks. I can’t wait to get back home to Marco’s cooking. I’m afraid I may end up with hepatitis from this food.”

  “In a hospital? His food does grow on you. I was thinking maybe after you’re better, you may want to stay home and cook and clean. I can fire the help. You know like quit your job.”

  I roll my eyes at him. “Oh no no no. Don’t! I’m not quitting. You’ve been hanging around my dad too much.”

  “It was worth a shot,” he laughed. “I told him you wouldn’t go for it.”

  “And you made it sound so appealing. ‘Maybe you can cook and clean’,” I said imitating him. “That’s every woman’s dream proposition.”

  “I don’t care what you do, as long as I know you’re safe and you’re coming home to me at night,” he said kissing my lips.

  Oh how I wanted to make out with him in this damn hospital bed. If it wasn’t for this damn sling, I would be pulling him on top of me right now. I can’t wait to get him home in the comfort of our own bed.

  A half hour later, my family arrived to say goodbye. I didn’t want to see them go, but they had to leave.

  “I’m so happy to see you looking so well,” my mom said.

  “I feel great.”

  “Will you come and visit us?”

  “Of course, I’ll drag Brendan with me. We can come home for Easter.”

  “Oh, that would be great. Wouldn’t it Tom?”

  “Yes, it would baby girl. We miss you very much. You have a great guy right here,” he said, patting Brendan’s shoulder. “I feel confident to leave you in his hands.”

  “Hmm… That sounded like a blessing,” my sister chimed in. She hugged and kissed me. “Becky can’t wait to see her Aunt El.”

  “Awe, I know. I miss her. Tell her I love her.”

  “I will. I love you sis. I’m happy for you despite the situation.”

  “Thanks. I love you too.”

  “Maybe we can go on a double date when you come home. Catch up, just the four of us. Maybe mommy and daddy can come too, if they behave.”

  I laughed out loud. “That sounds great. I can’t wait.”

  “She can show you some of her dance moves,” Brendan said being a wise ass.

  I kissed everyone goodbye and told them I loved them. I really do. I love my family. I guess I was just always looking for their acceptance and I finally got it… thanks to Brendan.

  “I’m proud of you,” he said.

  “For what?”

  “Just for being you. I know you’re still suffering a little, but you try to be strong. It’s okay to be vulnerable and let other people help you. Why don’t you rest?”

  “Yeah, I’m tired. When’s my next appointment?” I say jokingly.

  “Very funny. Actually Connor texted me saying he won’t be able to make it today because he has to go down to precinct to go over some things regarding Roxy’s case.”

  “That’s okay. I completely understand. I’m just so happy you have him back in your life again.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  I looked over at him. Sadness crept over his face. He should be so happy right now.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s just that I learned how to get by with Connor gone. It was tough, but I managed. If something had happened to you, I don’t know how I would have handled it.”

  “I’m here with you, baby. We have to move on from it. Plus, the next time we argue you’re going to want to send me to a hotel aga
in.”

  “Never…”

  “I’ll hold you to it.”

  “And I’ll hold you forever and never let go.”

  “Swear…”

  “On my Kryptonite!”

  “Doctor!!! I’m ready to go home.”

  Epilogue

  Brendan

  Five months later…

  “Wow, these seats are great. I haven’t been to a baseball game in so long. The fact that it’s the Phillies versus the Red Sox makes it even better,” Joella said.

  “I can’t believe you wore a Phillies jersey to a Sox home game.”

  “Hey, I have to support my hometown too.”

  I rolled my eyes at her. She did look sexy in a jersey. I just wish it was a Boston one. Hopefully…soon enough. I want to make this day special for her. She works so hard and barely takes any time off from work. She decided she was still going to work even though we were living together. I told her she didn’t have to. I still get nervous everyday she walks out that door for work.

  I managed to get front row seats behind the Phillies dugout. You have to know the right people. We’re having a blast. Sweet Caroline is playing and the crowd is so pumped up. Joella and I are dancing in our seats with our beer in one hand and our other hand in the air waving it back and forth to the beat. The weather is beautiful for an October night. I couldn’t have asked for a better date night.

  I signaled over to the bat boy. He knew the deal. He walked over to us with a large shirt box in his hand. He handed it to Joella.

  “What’s this?” she asked.

  “Just open it.”

  As she ripped open the wrapping paper and removed the lid to the box, I got down on one knee. She pulled out the Red Sox jersey.

  “Oh My God! What’s going on? What’s with the Red Sox jersey? You’re on your knee?”

  “Joella, will you join my team and become my wife? I love you so much. You mean the world to me. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Look up at the board!”

  I pointed up at the board for her to look. It read:

  Will You Marry Me, Joella? I love you! Love always, Brendan!!!!

  Tears were flowing down her face. I pulled the ring box out of my pocket and opened it. She had her hands on her mouth.

  “Brendan, it’s gorgeous.”

  “A gawgeous ring for a gawgeous woman. Will you marry me, sweetie?”

  “Yes, of course. I love you.”

  Phew, thank Gawd. I put the ring on her finger. I pointed to the screen again for her to look up. It flashed to her family which consisted of her mom, dad, Sarah, Gabriel and Becky. My family was also present. Ma, Aunt Carol, Connor, Candy (I still call her that) Callie, and Connor Jr. were all sitting in a different section. They were all cheering for us.

  “Oh Brendan, I’m the luckiest woman in the world.”

  “I’m the luckiest guy.”

  “Maybe tonight we can reenact our first meeting, but this time I can jump you in the doorway.”

  “Sounds like a plan, future Mrs. Kirkpatrick.”

  “If you’re a good boy, I may even give you a lap dance.”

  “That would be hawt.”

  I planted a big kiss on my future wife’s mouth for everyone to see. We were the happiest two people in the universe.

  Coming Soon!

  Locking You

  Book 2

  The Boston Kirkpatrick Series

  Chapter 1

  Joella

  They say people come into your life for a reason. Brendan Kirkpatrick came into mine so that he could become my husband. Oh… and so we can have hot sweaty sex every day of our lives.

  We met a year ago yesterday. In October, at the Red Sox game, he proposed to me. I was totally not expecting it. We wanted to wait to plan the wedding and just enjoy being together. The pressure from both families forced us to pick a date and plan away. We decided it was reasonable since I almost died last year in the line of duty protecting Brendan’s business… well, former business. I went undercover as a stripper and was shot by another stripper drug lord named Roxy. Come to find out she has a child with Brendan’s assumed to be dead brother, who is actually indeed alive.

  Needless to say, Brendan and I have been through a lot in our lives, but we are ready to become one. We have been living together for the past year and it has been great. Brendan is so caring and loving. We do everything together. We try to make sure that we have dinner together every night at 6 P.M. Sometimes my schedule gets in the way, but for the most part we regroup together at dinner.

  I’m sitting at the kitchen table eating my magnificent eggs that Marco prepared. He is telling me all about the kids and all the funny things that happened at school yesterday. I was laughing out loud when Brendan came into the kitchen looking dapper in a navy blue suit with his collar open. His Armani cologne was permeating through the room. He grabbed a cup of coffee and kissed me on the cheek before joining me at the table.

  “Hey gawgeous,” he said with his sexy smile.

  I still get tingles all over my body when he calls me that.

  “Hi,” I said back, smiling and waving really cute in a flirtatious way.

  While Marco had his back to us, horn dog was pointing at the table mouthing that he wants me on the top of it. I rolled my eyes at him. The damn chef was two feet away. I mouthed back, “Control yourself.”

  He laughed.

  “I have a meeting downtown for a prospective new business.”

  “Wow, that’s great. What kind of business?”

  “A casino/hotel”

  “That’s exciting. Wait… I don’t think that’s such a great idea.”

  “Why?”

  “Your brother is a recovering gambler. It wouldn’t be good for him. It’s temptation. He just moved back to Boston two months ago.”

  “I know you’re concerned about Connor, but we talked and he’s okay with it. He’s a big boy.”

  “Who faked his own death?”

  “Yeah, well…what can I say, he’s an asshole.”

  “So, is this being built or does it exist?” I asked breaking apart a piece of bacon as we spoke.

  “It already exists, but the current owner drove it to the ground. I’m going to buy it, build it back up and make it successful. I have a lot of plans for it. We are possibly going to open a night club inside of it called Hush II.”

  “You hated the business, that’s why you sold Hush I.”

  “Connor is going to own it and run it out of the casino.”

  “I don’t like this idea. You’re usually a smart business man.”

  “What’s wrong with you this morning?”

  “Nothing. I love Connor like a brother. He’s great, but I just don’t want to see you back in the same situation as before.”

  “Sweetie, let me have the meeting. I don’t have to make a decision today. This investment will set us up for the future.”

  “You already have millions.”

  “Correction- we have millions and we will have billions.”

  “Baby, money isn’t everything. If you were poor, I would still love you.”

  “I know. That’s why I love you so much. Trust me. I’m making the right decision.”

  “If you tell me Billy is going to manage it, I will be speechless.”

  “He asked.”

  “How did he know?”

  “Connor told him.”

  “Why would anyone tell him anything?”

  “He’s clean and straight. He’s sorry for everything that happened. He wants forgiveness and he’s trying to make a better life for himself.”

  “Baby, you’re gullible.”

  “I am not.”

  “You are so,” Marco said from the stove.

  “Thanks Marco,” I said giving him the thumbs up sign.

  I think this is a bad idea. I don’t want to tell him what to do. I am in a tough position. It’s not my money, although he says it is. I don’t even spend it. He gave me an American Express black c
ard and I never used it. He deposited extreme amounts of money into my bank account. Who needs that much money? The only money I use is for the wedding.

  “I just want you to make the right decision.”

  “I will. I promise. I have to go before I’m late.”

  He came over and gave me a hug and lifted me in the air. As he put me down on the ground, he kissed me. Marco was totally use to us by now.

  “Mmmm… Go save the world and I’ll see you back here at six.”

  “I’m trying to get done work early today. I have to go pick up our wedding bands.”

  “Do you want me to go with you?”

  “If you want to.”

  “We can meet here at three,” he said.

  “Okay. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  He left the kitchen. I watched him go. I don’t have a good feeling about this deal, but the same way he couldn’t tell me to quit my job, is the same way I can’t tell him what to do. Are we supposed to start making each other’s decisions or do we stay independent? Marriage means we work together to come up with the best possible options.

  My work phone starts ringing, taking me out of my thoughts.

  “Soriano here.”

  “Hey, it’s Jeremy. I need you down on scene.”

  “Where at?”

  “O’Malley’s Hotel and Casino”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Apparent suicide of owner.”

  “Get the fuck out of here.”

  “Yeah, do you know him?”

  “No… nothing.”

  “I’m leaving now.”

  I have to call Brendan now. I dialed his cell.

  “Hey Sweetie,” he said on the first ring.

  “Where are you?”

  “On my way to the meeting.”

  “Is it at the hotel/casino?”

  “No, It’s with the banker and investor. Why?”

  “I just got called to the casino because the owner apparently committed suicide.”

  “You got to be fucking kidding me.”

  “No, I’m leaving now. Did they cancel the meeting yet?”