The Walks of Life

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Delilah opened her eyes slowly. Where was she? Oh, right. The hospital. Where was Haden?

Delilah went to move but found she was strapped to the hospital bed. She began to panic and pulled at the restraints. She began to hyperventilate but stopped herself. She was better than this. She knew how to stay calm. Her feelings for Haden had really rattled her ability to stay apathetic and keep her cool.

"You can't get those off," a male nurse said from the doorway.

Delilah froze in horror at the sound of the male nurses voice. She knew that voice. She turned her head slowly and felt her heart begin to pound as she looked into the hard eyes of Robert. Delilah willed her breathing to slow and her heart to stop pounding. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, she was the picture of calm.

"This is your last chance, isn't it?" Delilah told him more than truly asked.

"I'm afraid so," Robert nodded. "As much as I once cared about you, I care about me more."

"At least your honest about it," Delilah swallowed but found her mouth suddenly dry. "Just make it quick."

Delilah closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Oh, Haden. And dear sweet, Aiden. How she hated to leave them.

"I could fake your death," Robert's voice sounded and her eyes snapped open. "For a price."

"I'm tired of being indebted to criminals," Delilah spat. "Maybe if you actually had any balls, you would stand up to Boss and take over the criminal organization for yourself."

"I'm not next in line for it," Robert shook his head. "No one would follow my lead. I would just end up running from the same people you are."

"How exactly would you fake my death," Delilah asked warily. "And what would I owe you?"

"I'll let you know what you owe me when I am ready," Robert shrugged. "And as for faking your death. It would go like this: I have in my possession a drug that will make you appear dead. It'll be that way long enough for you to get taken to the morgue where you will switch places with another body that I have ready-"

"Wait!" Delilah exclaimed. "Whose body?"

"Does it really matter?" Robert retorted. "It isn't a person of any consequence. Anyway, we will switch the bodies and you can go on your way with no one the wiser."

"But-" Delilah's heart nearly stopped. "What-what about-about my family?"

"You're family?" Robert scoffed. "The ninja? They aren't your family."

"But they could be," Delilah whispered.

"You won't get the chance to be with your precious Haden if you're dead, Delilah," Robert rolled his eyes. "You might get a shot if you take me up on this."

"Why do you care so much?" Delilah spat. "Why does almighty Robert care?"

"Because-because I love you," Robert's shoulders dropped. "I know you don't feel that way about me anymore, but-"

"You don't have to keep going," Delilah hung her head. "I'll do it."

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The first thing Delilah felt was cold. She felt so groggy. Why couldn't she move? Where was she? She tried to remember what was going on but her brain felt so foggy. She laid there for what felt like forever. The longer she laid there, the more awake she felt and the more she remembered.