Page 83 of My Destiny

“I’ve been better.”

“What did the doctor say?” I ask, eyeing the bandage wrapped around her head.

“I’m still waiting for the results of my X-ray and CT scan, but they stitched up my wound.” I bring her hand up to my mouth to place a kiss on her knuckles. There’s so much more I want to say, but for now I think it’s better to stick to small talk. She’s been through enough.

I force a smile as my eyes scan over her face. A large bruise is forming on her right cheek. The distinctive marks from where she was hit are clearly visible. The guilt I was feeling earlier comes back tenfold.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to you sooner,” I say after swallowing the lump in my throat.

“I’m surprised you even found me.” Her voice is soft as her gaze moves down the white sheets that cover her.

“I had no plans of stopping until I did.”

“Did they catch Jake?”

I blow out a long breath. I was hoping to leave this conversation for another day. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

“Did they arrest him?”

“Can we talk about this later?”

“No, please. I want to know.”

“He’s dead, Brooke.”

She gasps, bringing her hand to her mouth. “How?”

“After he shot John, he turned the gun on himself.”

“Your uncle was shot?”

“Yes.” My eyes move down to my lap as images of Jake’s lifeless body flash through my mind. “He jumped into the line of fire.” She probably doesn’t want to hear this, but it needs to be said. “He saved my life; he probably saved all our lives.”

Tears fill her eyes as she looks up at the ceiling. “Is he okay?”

“He’s in surgery now.”

The moment I see the tears leak from her eyes, I stand and gather her into my arms. When she begins to sob into my chest, I have to fight to keep my own tears at bay.

“Knock, knock,” my mum says before entering Brooke’s room. I notice a large bunch of colourful flowers clutched in her hand as she approaches the bed. “Hi, sweetheart.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Cavanagh.”

“Please call me Patricia, or even Mum, I don’t mind. Whatever makes you comfortable.” I clear my throat, and their eyes dart in my direction. My mother doesn’t even flinch as she turns her full attention back to Brooke. Mum can be a little forward at times, but her heart is in the right place. I probably would’ve freaked out if she’d told anyone else I dated to call her that, but in this instance, I don’t mind in the slightest.

A smile bursts onto Brooke’s face, and it’s the first genuine smile I’ve seen from her since we’ve been here. “Okay.”

“Good. ‘Mrs. Cavanagh’ seems so formal, and we’re family now.” She takes a seat on the side of the bed, placing her hand on top of Brooke’s as she speaks. “Logan told me about your mother. I’m so sorry to hear that you lost her. That must’ve been really tough for you.”

“Thank you, and yes it was.”

“I know I could never replace her, but just know I’m here for you if you ever need me.”

“That’s really sweet. I appreciate it.”

“I mean it.”

“I know,” Brooke says, smiling.