Chapter Twenty Eight

PIERRA'S POV

When I woke up the next morning I didn't want to leave Andrews arms because that meant facing the reality of my brothers impending death. I was normally an optimistic person but I just couldn't help but think of all the bad things that could go wrong. His could slip into a real coma and never wake up or he could have permanent brain damage. Oh look I thought about it.

"Go back to sleep."Andrew demanded in his deep morning voice.

"I just woke up."I replied.

"You were turning and tossing all night so you were definitely not asleep. It's five o'clock in the morning, visiting hours don't start until nine so please try and get some sleep."Andrew pleaded.

"I don't think I can."I admitted knowing he was right but I didn't have it in me to try.

"I know of a few ways to make you feel asleep but you're brother is fighting for his life in the hospital, it'll be inappropriate."Andrew suggested and my interest was immediately peaked.

"Me being in the hospital would not stop him and I really need the distraction. I'm going crazy over here."I confessed.

"Are you sure?"Andrew asked leaning on his elbow to look at me.

"Yes I'm sure, now please."I begged.

He gave me a soft smile before disappearing under the covers and my mouth formed an o. I had no idea that's what he had in mind but I liked it, I liked it a lot. Long story short, Andrew had a wickedly talented tongue and one powerful orgasm later I passed out to a better sleep than I'd had in the night.

Andrew woke me up at eight with breakfast in bed before helping me shower and get dressed. He even picked out my outfit. The orgasm had helped me sleep but I was awake and back into zombie and worried mode. The hospital was walking distance so Andrew and I took our time getting there. It was a Sunday so we had no class and I had all the time I needed to help my brother out, figure out what happened to him and find a way forward.

Whitney was already there when I arrived and after sharing pleasantries we found a nurse who led us to Bishop's room. When we got to the door, she told us we could go in but Andrew stopped me at the door.

"You go in with Whitney, I'll wait out here."He suggested and he didn't even need to explain why.

Bishop still didn't totally like Andrew and would not be thrilled to have him by his bedside especially when he was so weak and vulnerable.

"Okay. Don't go anywhere."I demanded softly.

I was acting clingy but I didn't care, I needed all the support I could get.

"Wouldn't dream of it."He replied kissing my forehead.

I smiled then turned around before Whitney and I both walked into the room. Both of us immediately stopped in our tracks when we saw the state Bishop was in. He was covered head to toe in white plaster and his face looked bashed in. He was hooked to so many machines it was a wonder how modern medicine worked.

Whitney rushed to his bedside after overcoming her initial shock while I stood there getting more scared as the minutes passed. Seeing Bishop like that brought up memories I had worked so hard to suppress and I immediately shut my eyes trying to block them out. I would not loose someone else I loved so Bishop had to pull through, he just had to.

"Pierra what's wrong?"Whitney asked probably noticing my freaked out state.

"Nothing I just don't want to lose him."I replied getting the courage to open my eyes.

"We won't, Bishop is too stubborn to die."Whitey consoled.

I had no idea if she was saying that to convince me or her. AI found the strength to move further into the room and sat on a chair on the other side from Whitney. I took my time to observe her and realized that I'd never seen her look so worried before. She genuinely cared about my brother which brought me to a realization.

"You're in love with him."I blurted out and Whitney sharply turned to face me.

Her face got all defensive and she opened her mouth probably to deny it but then she looked at him and her face fell.

"Yeah."She admitted and I was shocked.

"When did that happen? I thought your relationship was purely physical."I asked and she chuckled painfully.

"Yeah it was at the beginning but you know how charming your brother can be under all his macho drug dealing boss persona."She replied with a fond smile on her face that only a person in love could pull off.

"I didn't even know I was falling in love with him until he invited me to the family trip. You don't take your fuck buddy to meet your family. I wanted to say no but he convinced me and the whole trip he treated me like he actually cared for more than sex. We got closer and I fell for him but I'm scared."She admitted sadly.

"Why?"I asked wanting to know more.

I was seeing a side of Whitney I'd never seen before and it was one I could relate to.

"He doesn't feel the same. I can't leave him but I feel like he'll break my heart eventually."She confessed and my heart went out to her.

"He might actually feel more for you than you realize."I found myself blurting out.

"What do you mean?"She inquired.

"It's just like you said, you don't just take anyone to meet your family yet Bishop brought you. You're also the only girl who has lasted more than a few months with Bishop. Your relationship might not be conventional but it works for you two. Just tell him how you feel, you might be surprised when he actually confesses he feels the same way."I encouraged.

"You sure?"She asked looking at him.

"When he survives this and be sure that he will, you definitely have to tell him. You can't risk living the rest of your life not knowing. Bishop is probably just scared of letting you known how he truly feels for fear of appearing weak or he probably just doesn't know how to say it."I answered and she smiled pleased with my answer.

"I'll do as you say when he gets up."Whitney conceded and I returned her smile happy for her.

I never thought I'd ever encourage Whitney and Bishop to be together but they were good for each other in a weird way and Whitney was not as bad as I thought she was. Love could change people and it had changed her. I just hoped it was for the better.

"Whitney I know it might be hard but you need to tell me what happened yesterday. Bishop told me that you and him were going away for the weekend and next thing I know you're calling to tell me that he's dying. So please connect the dots for me."I requested.

She snorted wiping away her tears and I braced myself for the worst. I'd outcried myself the previous day so there'd be probably no tears from me.

"Well first of all you have to know that we did not go away for the weekend for luxury. Bishop was going to pick up his next shipment and since it was just a simple pick up he took me with him. It didn't go as expected because when we got there Bishop ran into the leader of a gang he's been rivals with for a while now. They disagreed a while back over some money thing I think. It was just me and him against ten of them so Bishop locked me in the car to protect me and took all the beating. When they thought he was dead they left us alone. He barely had a pulse when I finally managed to break a window and get out of the car so I put him in the back seat and brought him here."She explained slowly without any interruption from me.

I knew that Bishop had rivals but not one's that would kill him. He never went anywhere without his goons so he was never really in any danger, well until the unfortunate happened. I wanted to scream and shout but that would not help anyone.

"I'm glad you're okay Whitney, my brother cares for you that's why he put your safety first. Now let's just pray for him to get better so I can actually kill him for being stupid and if he's lucky to have multiple lives like a cat then you can have him."I expressed and she smiled amidst her tears.

"Thank you Pierra. I believe he will be okay."She replied looking at him.

"What about his goons? Where are they?"I asked noticing I hadn't seen any brooding body builders hovering around.

"Revenge."Whitney replied and that one word filled in that gap.

They were loyal to Bishop so they were definitely out for blood when they heard of his state. I didn't even want to think about what they would do to whoever was responsible for Bishop's demise when they got to him.

"You stay with him, I'll go fill out all the necessary paper work and see what the doctor has to say."I informed her getting up and she just nodded her eyes still trained on my brother.

I left the room and found Andrew leaning against the wall just like he had promised me. He immediately pulled me into a hug when he saw how distraught I was.

"How is he?"He whispered.

I didn't reply, just clung to his chest tighter and he understood. Bishop was no better than he had been the previous night and it was getting to me. I was scared he would die and angry that if that happened my brother would be taken away from me too early. I couldn't loose my brother, I just couldn't.

"I need to go fill out the paper work. Come with?"I asked looking up at Andrew with my blurred vision.

I thought I was done crying but I was clearly very wrong. I was just glad Andrew was there for me through it all.

"Of course."He agreed kissing my forehead and wiping off my tears.

He took my hand and led me to the nurses desk to get all the required forms. Andrew helped me fill it out since I could barely string two coherent thoughts together. I was just grateful to Bishop for giving me access to his bank account details so I could use that money to cover the piling hospital bill. I could not use our family medical insurance cover as that would alert my parents as we were all still under my dad's insurance cover. It would cost a pretty penny as Whitney had brought Bishop to a private hospital but only the best for my big brother. He could afford to pay it anyway, Bishop was loaded.

I just hoped he got the chance to spend his money and have his happily ever after with Whitney. I was still skeptical of her but she was proving herself and I believed in second chances. Bishop had strong feelings for her too otherwise he would not have trusted her enough to include her in his business. They would get to experience a true relationship together, they had to because Bishop would be okay.

"I still think you should tell your parents though."Andrew commented as we walked to a restaurant for lunch after spending all morning at the hospital.

Whitney refused to leave Bishops side so we'd promised to get her some food and take it to her.

"My parents would kill Bishop if he survives and me too for being an accomplice."I replied quickly rejecting his idea.

"No they won't. They are your parents, they will understand."He countered.

"You met my dad, he is the most ethical guy I know. I mean the man is a police officer, the most corrupt job there is yet he is straight as an arrow. He never takes bribes as he believes in truth and honesty. What do you think he will do when he realizes his son is a drug dealer and a goon?"I asked.

"Forgive him after giving him a good talking to."Andrew replied and I almost cooed at how innocent he sounded.

"No he will make an example of him by putting Bishop in prison."I explained.

"Andre, my dad raised us right and expects us to follow the rules just like he does. He won't forgive Bishop so let it go. We just pray for Bishop to get better so we can put all of this behind us."I finalized and Andrew nodded.

"You're right, I'm sorry for insisting."He apologized.

"No it's okay, it just means you care."I replied.

"Good because I really do and want you to be okay."

"I will be."I assured him squeezing his hand.

"Perfect, now what do you want to eat?"He asked as we walked into the cafe.

I found myself smiling in the midst of all the chaos and it was all thanks to Andrew. He was my life saver and I would be eternally grateful for him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"He asked hiding behind a menu making me laugh.

"Just counting my blessings and back to your first question, I will have a burger and fries."I replied.

He nodded getting up to go order but not before tweaking my nose making me frown at him. He made a funny face in reply and I laughed, genuinely laughed.

Yeah. I really was a lucky girl.

😔🙂