Page 9 of My Destiny
“I am, thank you.” She forces a smile and it tugs at my heartstrings. He’s an idiot. She’s hands down the most beautiful woman in the room, yet he’s paying her absolutely no attention. It confirms exactly what I thought earlier: he’s either an arsehole, or completely insane. He came highly recommended to me, and although we’ve had conversations about cases and even sat in meetings together, I haven’t had the chance to get to know him on a personal level. After tonight I don’t think I want to.
Brooke turns her body in her seat, and my eyes follow her line of sight to the dance floor. At first, I think maybe that’s where Jake might be, but I don’t see him so my attention moves back to her. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a longing in her eyes. Maybe she wants to dance, and I have an overwhelming compulsion to ask her, but quickly squash the thought. For one, I don’t dance, and two, dancing with her is only asking for trouble.
Her attention eventually moves back to me, but just as she goes to speak, I see her screw up her face as her complexion turns a ghostly shade of white. She places her hand over her stomach, and I hear a moan of pain fall from her lips.
“Shit. Are you okay?” I ask, rushing to her side.
“I don’t know,” she replies as perspiration appears on her forehead. She doesn’t look well at all. “Would you please excuse me? I need to find Jake.”
I pull out her chair and help her to her feet. “Are you sure you’re okay? Are you able to walk?”
“I’ll be okay. Thank you,” she replies before turning and walking away.
My eyes don’t leave her as she crosses the room. When I see her stop and double over, I decide to follow her. God only knows where that prick is.
My eyes are everywhere when I reach the foyer, but she’s nowhere in sight. Without hesitating, I make my way outside. I only just make it through the doors when I spot her. She’s standing at the base of the stairs on the footpath. One hand rests on her stomach, and the other covers her mouth. Her head is turned to the left, as she stares down the street. If I’m not mistaken, tears are cascading down her pretty face. “Jesus,” I murmur under my breath the moment I see exactly what’s upsetting her.
Brooke abruptly turns and heads in the opposite direction. The sadness I see etched all over her face is like a sucker-punch to my gut. I know exactly how she’s feeling in this moment; I’ve been there. If my concern for her wasn’t so great, I’d go over there and rip his damn head off. I’m not a violent man by any means, but the rage building inside me is undeniable.
“Brooke.” Her husband is too busy dry fucking another woman up against the wall to even notice his wife just witnessed it. He’s practically eating her damn face. “Brooke,” I say again as she breaks into a jog. I can hear her sobs as I close the distance between us, and my heart breaks for her. Just as I get close enough to grab her, she stumbles, falling forward. My arms instinctively reach out, sliding around her waist as I pull her back into my front. “I’m so sorry you had to witness that.” When her body goes limp in my arms, my heart drops into the pit of my stomach.
Sliding my hand behind her knees, I waste no time lifting her into my arms. Her head falls back and I immediately see she’s unconscious.What the hell?
“Brooke.” I shake her slightly. When I get no response, I rush towards the wooden bench nearby and gently lay her down. Quickly shrugging out of my tuxedo jacket, I ball it up and place it under her head. “Brooke, can you hear me?”
My hand tenderly runs down the side of her face as I continue my efforts to rouse her. Placing my two fingers on the side of her neck, I check her pulse. I can see she’s breathing by the rise and fall of her chest, but I’m perplexed as to what just happened. Her pulse is strong, but that does nothing to ease my concern.
“Is she okay?” a passer-by stops to enquire.
“I’m not sure,” I reply, reaching into my pocket for my phone. My first instinct is to call triple zero, but St. Vincent’s Hospital is only a few minutes from here. Chris, my driver, is always instructed to stay close by in case I ever need to make a hasty retreat. I run my free hand nervously through my hair as I wait for him to answer.
“Is there something I can do to help?” the stranger asks.
“No, but thank you. I’ve got this.”
“Are you ready to leave already?” Chris says the moment he answers. I can hear humour in his voice as he speaks, and usually I’d have the perfect comeback for him, but this is no time for banter.
“I need you out the front of the building now,” I reply.
“Is everything all right, Mr. Cavanagh?”
“Just hurry,” I say before ending the call.
Relief floods through me when I see Brooke’s head roll to the side, quickly followed by a soft moan. “Thank Christ.” Crouching down, I glide my fingers across her forehead, and then down the side of her face. “It’s okay,” I whisper in a calm and soothing voice, although what I’m feeling inside is anything but. “Help is on the way.”
Her eyes flutter open, and she winces with pain as a more aggressive sound escapes her. I don’t know why seeing her like this cuts me up, but it does.
“Jake, help me,” she mumbles before closing her eyes once more.
Quickly glancing over my shoulder and down the street, I see her poor excuse for a husband is still all over that woman and totally oblivious to this dire situation unfolding with his wife. I have a good mind to call out to him, but right now my priority is her. To be honest, she’s better off without his presence. He’d only end up upsetting her more.
“I’ve got you,” I say, gently lifting her into my arms. “Everything is going to be okay.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself, because in this moment I feel utterly helpless.
I see Chris approaching as I make my way to the kerb. “Shit,” he says, quickly exiting the car and running around the back of the vehicle.
“Open the door.”
“Is she okay?”
