Redemption (Book 3) The Fixer Series (5 page)

"Can you imagine the secrets that bastard must keep?"
I asked, leaning my bed back.

"
Yeah.  I'm sure it makes ours look like kid stuff."

"Hey, not to change the subject or anything, but has the doc said anything about when we might get to leave this shit
-hole?"

"When he last came in, he mentioned that both you and Brooke were doing well.  He said that you are
very
lucky that none of your organs were damaged, especially being shot at such close range.  According to him, most people either die on the spot or from complications.  He wants to keep you here at least another week, just for observation.  Brooke can leave at any time, but she'll need to see a dietician and need extensive therapy to help her deal with her issues." 

"That's great, but no.  I'm not staying here another week."

"Really, jackass?  How do you plan on escaping and getting yourself home?  You can't even walk."

"I'm rich.  Very rich.  I can pay people to get me out of here.  And
, since you work for me...get me out of here!"

"
I love you, man.  You're my brother from another mother, but sometimes you're too fucking much.  I'm gonna let you get some rest and I'm gonna go hang with my girl for a while."

"I knew it.  You sly son of a bitch!
  I knew you had another reason for bringing her here."

"Ha!  I already told you why I brought
Steph here Dylan, but having her here is an extra added perk. Peace out, man.  I'll talk to you in the morning."

He walked over and fist
-bumped me before walking out. 

"Catch you later
, buddy.  Try not to have too much fun," I added, before turning on the TV and searching for something decent to watch.

Nothing.  There was absolutely nothing on TV.   I settled on watching old reruns of
Friends
where the voices were dubbed in Russian.  It was actually quite comical watching Rachel speaking in something other than English.  She was always my favorite friend.  I always did have a thing for older women.  They were more confident than girls my own age and what I liked most about them, is that they seemed more comfortable and adventurous in the bedroom.  And Rachel was
definitely
older than me. I laughed, I really needed to get the hell out of here. 

W
eeks had passed, and Brooke and I were finally being released to travel home to the States.  I was looking forward to some alone time with her, since it'd been almost a year since I'd been with her.  We had been robbed of beginning our life together, but I wasn't going to let that stop me.  I fully intended on making up for all of the time we had missed with each other. 

Tristan had been a great friend through the whole process.  He put up with my shit, listened when I needed an ear and proved that he was truly my best friend.  Hell, he even took care of my wife when I couldn't.   Something that he had promised before all hell had broken loose.  He came through with flying colors.  And
, Alexi?  Well, he wasn't such a bad guy after all.  Tristan was right about him.  He was a trustworthy fellow, and though I still didn't understand him very well, he remained loyal to helping us.  Alexi had even arranged to have my father's body released and sent home, so that my family could give him a proper burial. 

As the weeks passed, I realized how truly blessed I was
.  My stay in the hospital had been extended, because the good doctor insisted that I needed to be able to walk on my own before I could be released.  I worked my ass off and it was painful as hell, but I had Brooke by my side the entire time.  Anytime I felt down or like giving up, I just looked into her beautiful eyes and knew I had to do it for her.  She had been released two weeks before me, and she was with me every day.  We talked about things that she remembered about our wedding and her past.   I knew we had a long way to go, but being back at home would allow us time to finally work through the things that needed attention. 

Brooke came in as I finished buttoning my shirt.  She took my hand as I walked slowly out
of the room I had spent nearly a month in.  I still wasn't a hundred percent, but I was getting stronger by the day.  As we exited the hospital, Tristan, Stephanie and Alexi were waiting at the car for us.  We got into the black SUV and headed to the airport, where a private jet awaited us on the tarmac. I finally exhaled a sigh of relief as we boarded the plane-destined for the United States. 

The pilot came over the intercom and instructed us all to fasten our sea
t belts in preparation for takeoff.  I took Brooke's hand in mine, remembering how she hated flying, and gently pulled her hand to my lips, giving the back of her hand a soft kiss.  She flashed her beautiful smile and let her head rest against my shoulder as the plane taxied down the runway. 

CHAPTER 5

Brooke

It felt good to be next to Dylan.  I had missed him so much
, and spending the last couple of weeks with him had helped me to remember more about my past.  I still hadn't told him about what I'd remembered about being under Kristof's control and I was afraid that it would destroy us.  I had to focus on making sure that he would heal, and that I could help him through his pain, as I knew he was still hiding something from me. 

Once we were in the air
, I felt a little more relieved about flying.  It was always taking off and landing that scared the shit out of me.  Once the captain announced that it was safe to move about the in cabin, I unbuckled my seat belt and headed to the back of the plane to the bathroom.  I took my time as I sat and pondered about how life would be when I returned home.  I had been missing for almost a year and I wasn't sure that I knew what normal life was, anymore.  I hoped that I would adjust quickly, but I just didn't know.  I had been introduced into a completely different world while being held captive.  Most of it I didn't like, but some of it, I did.  I didn't know how to tell Dylan, and I knew that sooner rather than later, I would have to come clean with it. 

I opened the door to find Dylan standing there
, waiting for me. 

"How long have you been standing here?" I asked.

"Not long, Princess.  I came looking for you to see if you wanted to come and lay down with me."

"Sure, but what about the others?  Wouldn't it be rude to leave them out there?" I asked
, pointing to the main cabin.

"Nah.  They don't mind.  Besides, there's another small room on this place with a bed where Tristan and
Steph will sleep.  Alexi can recline his seat and sleep out there.  They'll be fine."

"Okay," I agreed, following Dylan into the room.

I helped him get into bed, removing his shoes and then mine, before placing them in the corner and joining Dylan.  I was nervous.  It was the first time I had been this close to him since we'd been married.  I rolled onto my side, facing away from him, trying to put distance between us.  He didn't say anything, but I could sense his unease. 

I pretended to sleep
, but I was filled with emotion as I lay next to him.  I felt Dylan roll to his side as he placed his arm around my waist.  His touch was warm and I felt his breath behind my neck. 

"
Princess," he said, in a soft tone.  "Please talk to me."

"I want to
, Dylan, I really do.  I just don't know where to begin."

"Well then, why don't you start by telling me why you're crying."

"What?  I'm not crying," I sniffled.

"Brooke, you can't hide from me.  And you're a terrible liar.  You forget how well I know you.  It doesn't matter how long we've be
en apart, you're a part of me."

I turned to face him as he wiped my tears.  I took his tear
-stained hand and placed it on my belly. 

"Dylan,
" I cried.  "I'm so sorry.  I didn't know.  One night, I was lying on the floor in my cell and I started having terrible pains.  I was screaming and crying, and there was blood on the floor.  I didn't know what was wrong.  The pain was so sharp and intense; I was cold, shaking and no one would help me.  I have no idea what they were giving me, but I was so out of it, I couldn't even think straight. The next thing I knew, I was lying on a cold, metal table where a man was standing over me.  He said he was a doctor and that I was having a miscarriage. I had no choice but to trust him, as he was the only one willing to help me.  Dylan, I lost our baby. The baby I wanted more than anything in life.  If only I'd known, I would have done everything to protect her," I said, wiping my tears.

"Brooke," he whispered
, pulling me closer to him, holding me tight. 

"I'm sorry
, Dylan.  I didn't know," I said, pulling away.

I noticed the tears
rolling down his cheeks.  It ripped me to shreds to see him so vulnerable, mourning the loss that I couldn't stop.  I took my hand and wiped his tears, trying to stop my own from falling.  I failed. 

"How could you know
, Brooke?" he asked.  "You didn't even know who you were for fuck sake.  If only I'd gotten there sooner, I could have saved you both."

"Dylan, no," I cried.  "There was nothing you could've done.
  This is not your fault."

"It is my fault
, Brooke.  I should've never left you alone in that garden."

"How could either of us have known what was going to happen?  We couldn't.  We're together now
, baby, that's all that matters."

"Tell me something
, Princess."

"What?"

"How do you know it was a little girl?  Did you hold her?"

"
No.  The doctor told me that I was twelve weeks along and that it was too soon to tell.  But, Dylan, I know it was a girl.  I felt it in my heart and I felt so empty.  I had dreamt about you, but I never told anyone.  I dreamt of us surrounded by large, green trees in a garden where a river ran through.  I was pregnant and you rubbed my belly and told the baby you loved her."

"Brooke," he said, stroking my cheek.  "I love you
, both.  Even though she's not here, I still love her.  She's a part of us.  That dream you had, I had it too.  But it gave me hope.  Hope that I would one day find you and we'd have the family that we always wanted."

He rubbed my cheek again, moving closer until his lips softly glided over mine.  I remembered the feeling, how much I'd longed for him, missed him. 
I couldn't resist his touch, I loved him so much and my body ached for his touch. 

"Dylan...please," I begged, rubbing my body against his.  I needed t
o feel him to heal me. 

"What do you need
, baby?" he asked, rolling over and standing up. 

"I need you," I said, getting up and walking toward him. 

I gently pushed him against the wall as I stood on my tip toes, trying to reach his lips.  He laughed and put his hands around my waist, pulling me closer to him, and leaning down.  He gently tugged on my hair, pulling my head back, so he had full access to my waiting and wanting mouth.  His kiss was aggressive, his tongue desperate and he took my breath away.  It was intense and I couldn't wait to have his throbbing cock inside of me. 

I unbuttoned his shirt, carefully running my hands along the top of his chest.  I broke our kiss and stepped back, taking in his beautifully sculpted body.  Fuck, he was beautiful.  He was even bigger than he was when we got married. 
I helped him take his shirt off and threw it in the corner on the floor by our shoes.  I drank him in, staring at his naked chest.  I feathered soft kisses down his stomach and stopped when I got to his scar. 

"Does it hurt
, Cowboy," I asked, gently kissing it. 

"Not anymore
, Princess, now that you're kissing my boo boo."

I giggled and continued to kiss where he'd been shot, in hopes that I could heal him, like he was healing me. 

I carefully undressed, my eyes never leaving his.  Reaching out, he pulled me close until I felt my naked breasts against his bare chest. 

"
Princess," he said.  "It's been so long since I've touched you."