I Won't Give Up on You Read online

  I Won’t Give Up on You

  Copyright 2014 by F.L Jacob

  Cover Design by Michael J. Mitchell of Digital Mitchell Photography

  https://www.facebook.com/digitalmitchell

  Editing by Book Peddler’s Editing

  https://www.facebook.com/BookPeddlersEditing

  Interior design by Fictional Formats

  https://www.facebook.com/Fictionalformats

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  All rights reserved.

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  I dedicate this book to everyone who has been there for me the last few years. All the ups and downs, the tears, the laughs.

  Thank you.

  I promise you, I won’t give up.

  I highly recommend reading book one, Have I Told You, before reading this book. I Won’t Give Up on You is a continuation of the story line that was started in Have I Told You.

  Please remember this book is for readers 18 years and older. It contains sexual encounters and graphic language that some readers may find questionable. The book is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.

  Arriving in the ER we were immediately swarmed by nurses and my hand was torn from Sabrina’s grip. My mind was a jumble as I tore through the halls frantically trying to get answers. I had never seen so much blood.

  “Why the fuck is she still bleeding? Where’s the fucking doctor?” I screamed as I paced the hall.

  “Please, move out of the way, Mr. Black. We must get her up to surgery. She is losing too much blood,” a doctor in blue scrubs and a plastic mask said.

  I was able to grasp her hand as they wheel her past me on the way to the elevator. I squeezed it as hard as I could. Our eyes met, my heart was ripped from my chest. She looked so scared.

  “Don’t give up on me, baby.” I whispered in her ear just as our hands were being pried apart by the nurses. I sank to my knees as the elevator shut in my face. Sabrina, please be okay. I can’t live without you.

  I paced the sterile halls of the hospital’s surgery wing. Sabrina lost so much blood she was rushed away to surgery to stop the bleeding and repair the damage as soon as the ambulance arrived at the hospital. Watching her slip from my fingers as they wheeled her away from me made me realize I wasn’t in control of what was happening, and it scared me. My fiancée was in trouble, and I couldn’t help her. I felt hopeless and alone.

  Jon and Sara were still in the ER getting their injuries from the kidnapping and beating assessed. Whoever helped Beverly had done a number on them.

  I stopped at the end of the hall and leaned up against the wall, letting my head fall back against the smooth surface. I sent up a silent prayer. I needed my love to make it. I wouldn’t be able to live without her.

  Looking down at my hands I noticed that they were still stained with Sabrina’s blood. My shirt was a mess too, but I couldn’t leave, I couldn’t risk missing an update from the doctors. I shook my head to rid myself of the idea that I might not see Sabrina again. Taking a deep breath, I unbuttoned the cuffs of my shirt and rolled up my sleeves as I slowly made my way to the waiting area. I was the only one in there. Thankful for the quiet and privacy, I sank down into the chair at the end of the row. It was ugly olive green leather with wooden arms, hard and uninviting. I sat and stared into space. I was so wrapped up in what was going on with Sabrina that I had no thoughts. My mind was blank for once in my life.

  Hearing the door creak, I stood up and quickly turned around. A nurse stood in the doorway with something in her hands. She was about five feet two inches and blond. Completely opposite of Sabrina, but she had a warm smile and apologetic eyes.

  “Mr. Black?” she whispered.

  I nod. “Yes, is there any news?” I asked, hoping she would be able to share any information she might have.

  She looked down at the floor and said, “No, I’m sorry, I don’t have any updates. I just wanted to give you these.” She walked toward me and held out the package she carried. “It’s nothing really, and don’t feel obligated to use them, but I saw your clothes were ruined, and I thought you might like something to change into.”

  I reached for the package and opened it to find scrubs. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

  “You’re very welcome, Mr. Black. Is there anything I can do for you before I go back?”

  The flush of her skin made me uneasy. “No, thank you, uh,” I paused not knowing her name.

  “Candy, my name is Candy.”

  Turning away from her, I mumbled under my breath, “Of course it is.”

  “Excuse me?” she said as she leaned over to see if she could see my facial expression.

  “Nothing. I’m fine, thank you. Oh, and thank you for the clean clothing.”

  She blushed again and turned to walk out of the room.

  I sat back down on the uncomfortable chair and waited.

  It had been a few hours and still no one had come to update me on Sabrina’s status. I heard some commotion at the doorway. I turned just as the doors flung open. Sara and Jon came barreling into the room, only to freeze when they saw me.

  It felt like the seconds lasted minutes, hours even, as we stared at each other not knowing what to say.

  Finally, Sara rushed over to me, and I caught her in my arms. “Caston, have you heard anything yet?” Tears rolled down her face.

  As if on cue the other set of doors swung open and a group of doctors, talking among themselves, walked in. We turned to face them, and it was so quiet you could’ve heard a pin drop. I felt as if my heart would fall out of my chest.

  “Mr. Black?” The lead surgeon stopped a few feet in front of the team who sought me out.

  My voice disappeared on me. “Yes?” I finally managed to get out.

  “She’s in recovery, and then will be moved to the ICU. There was a lot of blood loss, and we had to do multiple blood transfusions. The artery in her leg was nicked by the bullet. That’s what caused the bleed out
. We were able to stop it, but there were some complications.”

  I felt my legs give out as I dropped to my knees, but Jon was at my side before I hit the ground. He helped to keep me standing as I listened to the rest of the news.

  “Her blood pressure dropped several times, and she went into cardiac arrest once. We were able to bring her back, but she’s in a coma. I’m not sure if there will be any permanent damage and, right now, I’m not sure if she will even wake up. We take it day by day now. I’m very sorry I don’t have better news for you.”

  Jon, knowing I wasn’t in the right state of mind, asked, “When can we see her?”

  “Probably in an hour or so. Someone will come and get you in the waiting room on the ICU floor. I just want to warn you that she looks pretty rough.”

  “Thank you, doctor.” Jon reached out to shake the doctor’s hand as I turned into Sara’s open arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

  Sara wrapped her arms around me and ushered me to the row of chairs again. Helping me sit, she took my face in her hands and wiped my eyes with her thumbs.

  “Caston, focus, look at me. Baby, you have to settle down. Sabrina is a fighter. She’ll make it. She won’t give up, and I won’t let you give up on her. Breathe, Caston. I need you to breathe.”

  Jon sat beside me, his hand rested on my back to offer support. “Caston, we’re here for you, but you need to be strong for her.”

  I nodded, trying to catch my breath and get my emotions in check. Whispering to Sara as I gasped for air, “I can’t lose her. She… she’s… everything.”

  “I know, Cass, I know.” Sara laid my head on her shoulder, and I cried even more.

  We moved up to the ICU waiting area as soon as I felt my legs would hold me. As we took our seats, Jon left Sara and me to let the nurses know the family of Sabrina Bennett was in the waiting area.

  He returned to the room with a couple cups of steaming liquid and handed them to us.

  “Thanks, bro, but I don’t like coffee.”

  “I know, its hot chocolate.” He smiled. “I didn’t forget you hate coffee. Sara doesn’t like it either, remember? You guys are just weird.”

  We all chuckled and took a sip of our drinks. The hot liquid going down my throat did little to warm my body. I felt so cold and empty. We sat in silence, listening to the television in the corner of the room. I checked my watch; we’d been sitting here for too long with no update. Not being able to take it anymore, I stood up and threw my crushed cup in the trash.

  “I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to find her.”

  I took off down the hall before Sara or Jon could stop me. I pressed the button to be buzzed into the unit. Impatiently tapping my foot I paced in front of the double doors.

  “Can I help you, sir?” A voice came through the speaker.

  Sliding to the metal grate where the voice emanated, “Yes, please, I’m here for Sabrina Bennett.”

  Silence. It was killing me. Beyond frustrated, I hit the cement wall.

  “Sir, I’m sorry you will have to come back tomorrow, visiting hours are over.”

  “Bull shit! I’ve been waiting all day. The doctors told me I could see her when she got into her room.” I braced myself on the wall with the speaker between my hands.

  No way they’d keep me from her, I’d move heaven and hell before I let them tell me I have to go home. Knowing money talks I pulled out my phone and started making calls. Eventually I reached the president of the hospital. I promised him a good deal of money toward a new wing of the hospital. Hanging up, I waited by the door for only a few seconds when it buzzed open. I quickly walked through the doors that led to the patient rooms. I was met at the door by a burly woman bearing a disgruntled face.

  I once heard that when you find love, no matter what happens in life you will always be drawn back to that person. It was as if Sabrina’s soul was talking to me. I turned to walk down the hall with the woman on my heels trying to stop me, going right to room 2621. Somehow, I knew she was in there.

  “Sir, please. Stop you can’t—”

  I stopped at the door and look back to her face. She was really angry. “She’s in here, isn’t she?”

  “Yes.”

  That’s all the confirmation I needed. I pulled the sliding door to the side and walked in, drawing the curtain behind me. My breath caught in my throat. There she was, tubes came from her mouth and nose, IVs protruded from her arms, and the ventilator slowly pushed air in and out of her lungs. She looked so beat up and battered.

  I couldn’t even get close to her. My heart ached to see her like this. Noticing a chair on the other side of the room, I pulled it over next to her bed. I sat opposite the machine showing her vitals. The only noise was the rhythmic beeping. Carefully picking up her hand, I raised it up to my lips and placed a light kiss on one of the only spots that didn’t have something sticking out of or attached to it. I was very careful to not disrupt anything. Taking a deep breath, I placed her hand back down and covered it with mine. Just being near her made me realize how much I wanted to be her rock. I’d give her all my strength to make her well if I could. Stroking my thumb over her skin made her heart rate slow slightly on the monitor. I leaned over and kissed it again; my touch calmed her. Moving my head to the right, I lay my head on the bed and stared up at her beautiful face.

  My heart broke seeing her lay there motionless when not twenty-four hours ago we were wrapped in each other’s arms. She had been so full of life and happy. Her smile lit me up, and she made me whole.

  A nurse walked into the room and startled when she saw me. “I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t think we let family in here yet.”

  My head didn’t move from where it rested on the side of her bed. I stared at Sabrina, watching her chest move up and down with the ventilator. “You didn’t… I couldn’t stand it any longer. Mr. Bratten gave his approval for me to be here.”

  “Okay, but I need to get over to her to check her tubes and flush out her IVs. Could you at least step out for a minute or so?”

  I sat up in the chair and nodded. Her smile was warm and sincere. I was thankful she would be taking care of my girl. Holding out my hand, I introduced myself. “I’m Caston. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

  “Kelsey,” she walked up to me to return the handshake. “Unfortunately, yes, I think we will. But you got the suite, so I’m sure she will be quite comfortable while she’s with us.”

  Kelsey walked to the computer on the wall and turned it on, pulling up Sabrina’s charts. As she went about her work, I decided I’d step outside and stretch my legs.

  I remembered I left Sara and Jon in the waiting room a while ago. Putting my hands in my pockets, I skulked back to them.

  It was well past midnight, and my body ached from the long grueling day of emotional highs and lows. Reaching the door way, I peeked in and saw Jon sitting on the couch staring at some unknown infomercial. Sara was stretched out, resting her head on his lap. He mindlessly stroked her hair. It was the first time I really looked at them since they appeared at my side downstairs.

  Jon had a bandage on his head. He now had his arm in a sling. He hadn’t had it on a few hours ago when they found me, even he was trying to be stronger. His knuckles were all cut up, and there were cuts on his cheek. Sara had bruises up and down her arms and legs. There were small cuts on her face too. Thankfully, they seemed superficial and unlikely to scar.

  Walking in a little further, Jon looked up at me finally breaking his stare and held his finger up to his lips to remind me to stay quiet, so not to wake Sara. I nodded and took a seat a few spaces down from him.

  “Did you see her?” he whispered.

  I nodded. “She looks horrible, Jon. Why? Why did this have to happen?” I hung my head low, holding it up with my hands while I rested my elbows on my knees.

  “Cass, Beverly is fucked up in the head. She’s in jail now. There’s no way they’ll let her out. I’ll make damn sure that won’t happen again.”


  I looked up at him. “All I wanted to do was to make her my wife and grow old with her.”

  “And you will.”

  I managed a smile and then looked away because tears brimmed my eyes. Sliding my hands through my hair, I blew out a deep breath and leaned into the wooden arm of the chair to try to get comfortable. Feeling myself drift to sleep, I popped my head back up a few times. I didn’t want to miss the nurse coming to get me.

  Sleep won out because I woke to a warm hand on my shoulder. “Mr. Black, you can come back to the room now.”

  Looking at my watch it was almost morning. Jon still sat staring at the television. I was thankful they were still here for support, but I couldn’t keep them here.

  “Jon, why don’t you take Sara home and come back later after you get rest. If there’s any change I’ll call you. From what they said it probably won’t be today.”

  He nodded, looking as defeated as I felt. “Can we bring you something back, Cass?”

  “No, just call me before you come back.”

  I walked over to Sara and placed a kiss on her temple.

  I didn’t leave Sabrina’s side for days. Jon and Sara took turns coming to sit with me, bring me fresh clothing and paperwork that needed my approval. I was thankful my staff took over and kept all my businesses afloat.

  Today was a particularly special day. The doctor determined Sabrina could be taken off the ventilator. I panicked with all the ‘what ifs’ going through my head. Dr. Dana came in for the procedure. She was very reassuring that everything would be okay. I sat in the corner of the room and chewed on my thumb while I watched them work on Sabrina.

  My phone chirped, alerting me to a new email. I have never been so thankful to have the distraction. I grabbed my phone and excused myself from the room. Opening up the email, I saw a message from the detective working the case against Beverly.

  To: Caston Black

  From: Detective Alex Alverez