50 Shades of Drake 1 and 2

50SOD II: Chapter Ninety-Seven

    "I'm coming with you."

    Aubrey pulled back from the embrace and looked down at her. "Not a good idea."

    "I'm coming with you and you can't stop me," Destiny told him, leaving no room for argument with the determined look she gave him.

    He gathered up a few items, including his car keys, took her by the hand, and walked her out of the office.

    Bridgette looked up as they exited.

    "There's something that I need to take care of," he told her, releasing Destiny's hand and approaching the reception desk. "I need your car keys."

    Bridgette blinked her eyes. "My car keys?"

    "Yes."

    "But...why would you need my car keys?"

    "Hand them over," he said, holding out his hand.

    She stared at him for a long moment, then opened her desk drawer and pulled out her purse.

    Destiny was frowning up at him. She would be confused. After all, he hadn't yet explained to her that Bridgette was staying with him.

    Bridgette handed over her keys.

    "Thank you. I will return them to you." He pocketed his keys and looked down at Destiny. "Let's go."

     He was agitated, the entire ride to his condo building. On edge. For some reason, he hadn't been that fond of Carlos - maybe it was because he hadn't gotten a chance to know him. Finding out that Carlos had any hand in helping Palmer, even with his family having been threatened, hadn't helped the way Aubrey felt about him. But the poor kid didn't deserve to die, he thought as he drove.

    Destiny solemnly stared out of the passenger window with her arms wrapped around herself. Dried tears were still on both of her cheeks.

    He reached across the console and caressed her shoulder while steering with his left hand.

    She turned her head and looked at him with sad eyes.

    Now, more than ever, he felt that he'd made the right decision, having Destiny stay with Brian. Carlos was killed in the condo unit he'd given to Destiny. She could have easily been there with him. And if she had... Don't even think about what could have happened, he told himself while driving.

    He pulled into the parking garage for his condo building and turned off the car.

    "Why did you ask for Bridgette's keys?" Destiny asked him.

    "I'll explain later." Much later. Before he told her why he'd asked for Bridgette's keys, he had to tell her that Bridgette was staying with him and why.

    Two police officers stood in the lobby of his condo building. They were conversing near the entrance doors.

    Destiny reached out and grabbed his hand, huddling close to him.

    He looked down at her and kissed the top of her head.

    One of the officers approached them. "Aubrey Graham?"

    He raised his head. "Yes?"

    "I'll escort you."

    Destiny's hand tightened around his, and he squeezed hers back comfortingly.

    The officer led them to the elevator. Inside of the elevator, Destiny pressed herself so close to him, he couldn't tell where he ended and she began. Her entire body was shaking. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered soothing words in her ear. "It will be okay. Everything will be okay. He will pay for this. I promise, he will pay for this. Don't cry, baby girl, don't cry."