Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) (28 page)

Erica.

“Stephanie, it’s good to finally meet you.” Erica’s smile faltered a little when she noticed John. “Oh, and you brought your boyfriend. Brad is just in the shower. Come on in.”

John positioned himself between her and Erica Stephanie walked into the living room when a loud grunt and a thud had Stephanie spinning around. John was on the floor. Erica had a baseball bat in her hand and it was resting against her shoulder.

“What did you do to him?” Stephanie gasped.

“Oh, I just knocked him out for a bit.” Erica’s smile changed. It turned sinister and Stephanie’s blood ran cold.

“Where’s Brad?” Stephanie backed into the living room. She had nowhere else to go. Erica was blocking her only exit.

“Oh darling, don’t worry about Brad. Let’s just say, he’s resting.” Stephanie’s heart was thudding in her chest. “I’ve tried everything to get Brad to forget you, but he won’t marry me. Do you know why?” Erica tilted her head. Stephanie shook her head. “He still loves you. So when I get rid of you, he’ll be free.”

“Erica, you don’t have to do this.” Stephanie needed to stall for time. She knew Kurt and Keith were supposed to be right behind them. “Brad and I are over, I’m in love with John.”

“You may have moved on, but Brad is obsessed with you.” Erica looked like an animal about to pounce. Her teeth were showing and her eyes narrowed. Stephanie backed herself into the sofa. There was nowhere else to go. She tried to move away, but before she could move, Erica launched through the air knocking her to the ground. Erica was bigger and stronger. She sat on Stephanie’s chest and wrapped cold hands around Stephanie’s neck. She couldn’t breathe or think. The more she struggled the tighter Erica squeezed. In her peripheral vision, she could see John motionless on the floor. The sight made the lessons with Jess come flowing back. 

Stephanie lifted her knees as if she was doing a crunch. They connected with Erica’s back. Erica grunted and fell forward. Stephanie pushed her off and rolled away. She jumped to her feet but before she could get away, Erica grabbed her hair and yanked her back. Stephanie fell back against the floor. Erica was on top of her again. Stephanie balled her fist and punched Erica in the jaw. Erica screamed and fell to the side. Stephanie jumped to her feet and ran to John. He was still breathing. Where the hell were Kurt and Keith? Erica shrieked. Stephanie turned just in time to see Erica running toward her. Stephanie scrambled to her feet and ran to the door. She tried to open it, but it was locked. She turned back to the hallway.

“You bitch!” Erica screamed and ran at her. Stephanie waited until she was arm’s length away and did exactly what Jess showed her. She grabbed Erica by the back of the head and slammed her against the door. Erica grunted and staggered back. Stephanie kicked out and connected with Erica’s thigh. Erica crumpled to the ground, her screams were piercing. Stephanie was pissed now. How dare this bitch try to kill her? Stephanie jumped on top of Erica. Her fist connected with the bitch’s nose. Stephanie’s adrenaline was pounding through her body. Erica rolled on top of her. A fist connected with Stephanie’s cheek. The pain shot through her jaw. She shook off the dazed feeling and used all her strength to push out from under Erica.

Erica suddenly went perfectly still on top of her. Stephanie heard a soft click. Her vision was blurred, but there was a small shadow behind Erica. She couldn’t see who it was.

“Get the fuck up off her. Now.” Stephanie knew that voice. “If you don’t, I won’t hesitate to blow your fucking head off.” Sandy. Erica slowly crawled off of Stephanie. Erica’s hands were held up in the air as she moved backward.

“Sandy?” Sandy held out her free hand to Stephanie. Her eyes stayed on Erica. Stephanie grabbed her hand and stood up.

“Are you okay?” Sandy asked. Sandy’s glare was ice cold. Stephanie was very glad it wasn’t directed at her. The woman Stephanie knew as warm and friendly was gone.

“I’m fine, but how did you get in here? The door was locked,” Stephanie stared at her.

“The lock is pretty flimsy. Check on John.” Sandy walked toward Erica with the gun pointed straight at her head. “Where’s Brad?” Sandy snarled.

“What do you care?” Erica snapped.

“If you’ve hurt him, I swear I’ll beat you within an inch of your life,” Sandy yelled. Stephanie shivered as she held John’s head on her lap. This Sandy was frightening. Before Erica answered, Keith, Kurt, James and four other police officers ran in through the door.

“How the hell did you get here before we did?” James glanced at Sandy.

Sandy didn’t answer. She didn’t even seem to be aware James had spoken. Stephanie was worried. This wasn’t like Sandy at all. When Sandy pressed her gun against Erica’s head, Stephanie gasped. Sandy was going to kill Erica if someone didn’t stop her.

Keith knelt down next to John and put his finger to John’s neck. He looked up at James and Kurt and nodded.

“I think you better get Sandy to lower her gun,” Stephanie whispered to Keith.

“Sandy?” Kurt slowly approached Sandy from behind. “I need you to lower your weapon.” Kurt reached around her and covered her hand with his around the gun.

“She won’t tell me where Brad is.” Sandy’s voice was so different. “Where’s my brother?” Even with Kurt holding Sandy’s hand over her gun, she still managed to push Erica’s head back with the muzzle.

“Sandy, we got this.” James and Keith were next to her now. Kurt managed to get her to release the gun while James handcuffed Erica. Although, Erica was probably going to have to go to the hospital before they took her to jail. Stephanie definitely learned how to defend herself.
Thanks, Jess
.

“You need to find out where he is.” Sandy almost fell to her knees, but Kurt held her up and walked her to the closest chair. A line of police quickly made their way through the rooms. The sound of doors opening and officers yelling all clear. James picked Erica up off the floor, she fought him as she screamed obscenities at Sandy. Sandy didn’t flinch. She glared at Erica until James led her out of the apartment.

“Sandy, how did you know to come here?” Kurt asked her. Sandy shook her head. It was as if she was in some sort of trance and Kurt brought her out of it. Tears started to run down her cheeks.

“I remembered Erica owned a black car. As soon as I put together what Kim tried to tell me before she passed out….” She sobbed.

A lump formed in Stephanie’s throat.

“So you came here?” Kurt asked. Sandy met Stephanie’s eyes.

“He’s my brother. I didn’t think, I just got in my car and came here. There’s a back entrance that I use when I come to see Kim. I know I just found out about him, but he’s my family.” Sandy stared at Stephanie. It was like a silent plea to understand. Stephanie did. Sibling bonds were strong. Even if they just met.

“Do you know where he is?” Kurt asked. She shook her head. Stephanie jumped when a loud shout came from one of the bedrooms.

“Sir, there’s a man in the back bedroom. He’s unconscious but breathing.” Sandy pulled away from Kurt and ran in the direction of the voice. Stephanie gazed down at John. He still wasn’t moving. He was breathing, but it seemed like he’d been out a long time. A shuffling sound drew her attention to paramedics bringing a gurney through the apartment.

“This is John O’Connor, 29 years old. He was knocked out with that bat. He’s breathing and has a strong pulse but hasn’t come too.” Keith told the paramedics. “We’ve got another man in the bedroom. Name Brad King, not sure of his age but he’s unconscious. Looks like he may have been drugged.” One of the paramedics followed Keith to the bedroom. The other stayed with John.

“Is he going to be okay?” Stephanie didn’t even realize she was crying.

“He’s got a nasty bump, but his vitals are strong.” The paramedic held up the syringe. “We’ll get him to the hospital so they can do a scan. We’ll know more after that.” Stephanie nodded as the paramedic checked John. She looked as Kurt came out of the back room.

“Looks like Brad’s going to be fine,” Kurt said. Thank God. She didn’t love Brad, but he didn’t deserve this. How did all this happen? Why did Erica hate her so much?

“Miss, we really have to get him to the hospital.” She reluctantly let go of John’s hand. As she stood up she staggered back against the wall. The paramedic grabbed her to steady her. “I think you better come with us.” The paramedic said. Keith wrapped his arm around her and led her out of the apartment. Keith didn’t let go until Stephanie was in the back of the ambulance. Keith smiled at her as the doors closed. He did know how to smile.

John’s head hurt like hell. He couldn’t believe he was so careless. He was so stupid to turn your back on a possible suspect. Erica could have killed Stephanie. Now he was stuck in the hospital again. The doctors wanted to keep him for observation for twenty-four hours. Stephanie was sitting next to his bed, which made it a little easier. Everything was easier with her in his life.

John still couldn’t believe Sandy worked for Keith, and to top it off she worked for the R.C.M.P and N.P.D, when they needed her. From the information, Kurt gave him, Sandy was also called in by different government departments to check their network security. The woman was a freaking genius. No wonder she worked for Keith. It figured Keith would find people who were as brilliant as he was. Keith was also a genius, although you would never know it. He didn’t flaunt his intelligence. He’d never have guessed Sandy was the same. John leaned his head back against the pillow and sighed.

“Are you okay?” Stephanie was holding his hand.

“I’ve got a headache but nothing too bad. I just can’t get my head around what we found out about Sandy.” Stephanie’s expression change. “What’s wrong, honey?”

“I guess I feel a little hurt because she never told us about Kim and Brad.” Stephanie sat next to him on the bed. “I thought she was my friend.”

“I am your friend.” Sandy walked into the room with Keith, Kurt, and James.

“What are you doing here?” John didn’t realize he was angry with Sandy until he saw her.

“She’s here to explain.” Kurt’s tone told him he better listen.

Kurt sat on the chair next to the bed and James leaned against the window sill on the other side of the room. Keith stood behind Sandy. Sandy moved to the foot of the bed. Her hands clasped in front of her. She seemed to be searching for what to say. When she looked up John saw the tears in her eyes.

“Before I explain, I just want to say I’m so sorry. I never knew Erica was trying to hurt Stephanie. I’ve only known about Brad being my brother since the fundraiser like I told you.” She glanced at Stephanie. “I don’t expect you to accept my apology, but I just wanted to let you know.”

“Start at the beginning, Sandy,” Keith said. Sandy took a deep breath.

“I found out Kim was my sister three years ago. She’s younger than me and was raised by our father after her mother died. That’s why the different last names. She contacted me because my father wanted a relationship with me. I think he was trying to fix his guilty mind. He assumed if Kim made the initial contact, I’d be more willing to meet with him.” Sandy paused.

“He was never part of my life and left my mother to raise me on her own. My mother worked two jobs to make sure I had everything I ever needed. When I was eight the school told my mom I needed to be in a school for gifted kids. They recommended a school in Ontario. I forget the name now. It was very expensive. My mom couldn’t afford it.” Keith passed Sandy a box of tissues. Tears were streaming down her face.

“So, being the great mom she was, she swallowed her pride and called Stewart. His response was to take him to court. My mom never contacted him again and worked hard to make sure I got all the education I needed here. She hired special teachers to, as she put it, help me thrive. When I was twenty she passed away.” Stephanie reached out and took Sandy’s hand.

“Keith told me about the house next to you. He said his brother lived there, but I had to keep my job with him quiet. I understood. Then we became friends. It was hard not to tell you.” Sandy took another deep breath.

“You don’t have to do all this today,” Stephanie whispered.

“It’s okay. I need to. You dating Kim was just a huge coincidence. I warned her not to tell you she was my sister because of my job. She knows what I do. Then when she cheated on you. Well, I thought you’d hate me if you knew she was related to me.”

“I found out about Brad at the fundraiser. I remembered him at the restaurant that day with Stephanie and Donna. I saw Kim talking to him and asked her how she knew him. Then she told me. All I could think was, how I could have a brother and sister that hurt the two people I love most in the world? I honestly didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t believe the coincidence, but I was afraid to tell you.”

“Stephanie, I know Brad cheated on you, and for that he’s an asshole, but he wasn’t the one who took the money. He also didn’t know about the email. That was Erica.”

“She hated me that much?” Stephanie said.

“She’s just insane. According to Kim, Brad felt terrible about cheating on you, but he knew things between you weren’t going to work out. The night of the fundraiser I asked Kim about the things that were happening to you. Stephanie, Kim was hurt because I thought it was her. She told Brad. He confronted Erica when they got back to his apartment. She denied it of course. Then she offered to get him a drink so they could talk some more, but the next thing he knew he woke up handcuffed to a pipe in the bathroom. Brad is a strong guy, but she kept injecting him with drugs.”

“Do you want a break, Sandy?” James asked. Sandy was trembling and tears were running down her cheeks. John’s heart was breaking and Stephanie was holding Sandy’s hands.

“No! I need to tell them.” Sandy continued. “Anyway, when Kim didn’t hear from Brad, she went to the apartment. Erica told her that Brad was away on business. Kim didn’t believe her and called the fire station. They said Brad’s girlfriend called to say he was really sick. When Kim heard about the explosion, she knew it was Erica. Kim confronted her and told her she was calling the police, but she texted me first. By the time I got there Erica was gone and Kim was… well, you know. I honestly didn’t want to see any of you hurt. I didn’t know I would get there before you.”

“So you went to Brad’s to arrest Erica yourself?” John asked.

“And to find Brad,” Sandy said.

“You did all this to protect your sister and brother.” Stephanie’s face was unreadable.

“And my friends.” Sandy sobbed. Stephanie wrapped her arms around Sandy and hugged her.

“I know what it’s like to want to see your sibling safe.” Stephanie sobbed. John would do anything for his brothers and if he was in Sandy’s position he probably would have done the same thing.

“I’m really sorry, Stephanie.” Sandy sobbed as she clung to her.

“I understand, but you’ve got to promise me one thing before this is considered forgotten.” Stephanie pulled back and laid her hands on Sandy’s shoulders.

“Anything, I don’t want to lose you or John as friends.” Sandy wiped her cheeks.

“No more secrets. Unless it’s work related of course.” Stephanie glanced at Keith.

“I promise.” Sandy hugged her, then glanced at John. What was he supposed to say? If Stephanie could forgive her who was he to hold a grudge.

“No more secrets,” John said.

“No more secrets.” It was finally over. It was time to move on to the next phase of his life. Making Stephanie his wife.

John was sick of seeing Erica’s crimes as the top story on all the local news stations. Luckily, Kurt was able to keep Stephanie’s name out of the stories. He’d also kept the rest of Erica’s victims’ names out of the news. Brad and Kim didn’t need that in their lives. John was glad both of them were safe, and never wanted to see either of them harmed.

Erica was charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of assault with a weapon, unlawful confinement and a number of other charges. The good news was she pleaded guilty in return for fifteen years in jail. With any luck, they’d never have to hear her name again.

It was early September and Stephanie’s birthday was a week away. John was planning a surprise birthday party for her. He was going to propose to her at the party. Before he could, John needed to speak to her parents. More specifically Doug. Sean always told him and his brothers a woman’s father is her first love, and should be given the chance to give his blessing.

John worried about talking to Doug. The man was intimidating. Although right now, John was more worried about picking out a ring. What kind of rings did women like? He knew what he wanted the ring to look like. John needed help. He pulled out his phone and tapped Isabelle’s number.

Isabelle answered on the second ring. They talked for a few minutes. Isabelle asked how he was doing back to work. John asked how the restaurant was doing and promised to take Stephanie there for supper soon. Isabelle was head chef at her own restaurant. She opened two years ago and was doing well. John figured they’d made enough small talk and cleared his throat.

“Um…. Ah…. I’ve got a question for you.” John was still apprehensive.

“Okay,” Isabelle said.

“How are you with picking out rings?” Isabelle stifled a giggle and then cleared her throat.

“Depends on the ring.” She teased. “Would this ring be for someone special?”

“Okay, little girl, you know what I’m asking.” John groaned.

“Why John, I’ve got no idea. Maybe you should be more specific.” She was definitely not going to make this easy.

“You’re gonna make me ask, aren’t you?” John sighed.

“Yep!” She ended the word with a pop.

“Can you please help me find the perfect engagement ring for Stephanie?” John asked. He pulled the phone away from his ear when she squealed. “I take that as a yes!”

“Of course we will.” Isabelle squealed.

“Wait! What? We?”
Oh shit
! This was not going to be good.

“You’re on speaker phone. Jess and Kristy are here.” Isabelle, Kristy and Jess. Shopping.

“All three of you! In a jewellery store.” John rolled his eyes. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.”

“Too bad we’re all going with you,” Jess said.

“Seriously, maybe I should do this alone.” John really didn’t want to go shopping with the three of them. That had to be some sort of torture.

“Maybe we should call Nan and ask her if John should do this alone.” That was Kristy.

“Fuck! No Jesus way. Don’t call Nan or Mom or your mom or Aunt Cora. How is tomorrow for you guys?” The last thing he needed was a meeting of the women in his family.

“Perfect!” The three of them said together. They were laughing as John hung up the phone. Next step. Talk to Doug and Janet.

John pulled his truck into Stephanie’s parent’s driveway. His heart was pounding like a drum. How was he supposed to do this? It had to be just right. As he was getting out of the car, Doug waved from where he was mowing the lawn. Doug turned off the lawnmower and walked toward John.

“John, this is a nice surprise.” Doug glanced behind him. “Where’s Stephanie?”

“She’s working.” John shoved his hands in his pockets. His palms were sweating. At least he could wipe them inside his pockets without looking obvious.

“Oh! Well, come on in.” John followed Doug up the steps. Could Doug hear his heart thudding? “Janet, look who’s here for a visit.” Doug bellowed as they entered the house. A few seconds later Janet appeared in the foyer.

“John! It’s nice to see you.” Janet smiled. “Stephanie isn’t with you?” John took a deep breath.

“No. She’s working, but I was wondering if I could talk to both of you about something.” The words came out so fast John wasn’t sure if they even understood what he said. Janet and Doug looked at him quizzically, then looked at each other. “It’s nothing bad. I just need to discuss something with you both.”

“Okay. Come into the kitchen.” Janet turned and went back to the kitchen. Doug followed her. John shuffled behind them and reminded himself how to breathe.
Breathe in, breathe out
.

Janet scurried around the kitchen. She offered him something to drink and John agreed to coffee. She poured three cups and sat across the table from John. Doug settled next to her. He had to build up his courage. Stephanie’s parents could make or break his plan to propose.

“Okay, my boy, what do you need?” Doug broke the silence.

“Well, I know Stephanie and I have only been together a few months.” John began. “But I’ve never met anyone like her. Just so you know, I love her with all my heart.” John stopped to breathe and then continued. “Well, my dad, always told me, when you find the right woman you should never let her get away.”

“That’s good advice.” Doug squeezed Janet’s shoulder.

“He also told me before I propose to make sure I’ve got her father’s blessing.” Janet gasped and brought her hand to her chest.

“Oh. My. God.” Janet cried. “You’re going to propose.” Her eyes filled with tears and she was smiling ear to ear. John smiled back. He glanced at Doug and John’s smile quickly faded. Doug was stone-faced. John’s heart dropped.

“So you think you’re good enough for my little girl, do you?” Doug’s deep voice rumbled.

“I love Stephanie, and I’ll be the best husband I can be.” John reasoned. “I’ve had incredible role models who taught me how to have a long and happy marriage.” John continued. “My parents are very open and honest with each other. They taught my brothers and I well.” John rambled. The corners of Doug’s lips twitched. “I’ll always take care of her.”

“John, my boy, my daughter couldn’t ask for a better man.” Doug grinned. John blew out the breath he was holding. Doug reached across the table and shook his hand. “What the hell am I doing?” Doug chuckled and jumped up from the table. “Get over here.” Doug pulled John into a strong hug. John was glad it was a happy hug and not one where he was trying to squeeze the life out of him. When Doug let him go, Janet pulled him into her arms and kissed his cheek.