50 Shades of Drake 5 and 6

More Life: Chapter 6ix

    I was in a coma for months and barely survived. Aubrey and for all I know, everyone I know, thinks I'm dead. It was a lot to process. Her head felt like it was going to cave in upon itself whenever she dared to attempt to process it. "How long do I have to stay here?" she asked quietly.

    "We aren't sure."

    "Aren't...sure." She leaned forward and braced her elbows on her knees. Lowering her head into her hands, she began to tremble. "Days? Weeks? More months?"

    "How long we keep you is determined by how long it takes for us to capture Palmer's co-conspirators."

    "That could take forever," she pointed out, raising her head. "You just told me how far his reach goes."

    He nodded. "Yes."

    She laughed wryly. "Well...there has to be some way to get word to Aubrey that I'm okay."

    "He's being watched closely," Darius explained. "Right now, Palmer and his crew think that Mr. Graham is grieving your loss. He has to continue playing that part."

    "He can continue playing that part while knowing I'm okay," she maintained.

    "He wouldn't play the part as well," the FBI agent countered.

    Her brows furrowed. "He started out with acting. He'd play the part very well."

    Darius tilted his head to the side.

    She stood from the bed and started to pace the length of the room. "You can't allow him to continue thinking I'm dead, Darius."

    "We have no choice in the matter. I have instructions."

    "You've never made a judgment call?" she asked with a raised brow.

    He sighed. "Destiny, I hate how tightly guarded we have to keep your existence. Trust me when I say that it is imperative."

    "Now that I'm dead, they could just go after him!" she shouted. "He doesn't even know they're the ones who took me out. How is that keeping him safe? How is that smart?"

     "We have a team on him-"

     "You had a fucking team on me when they nearly took me out, Darius," she hissed at him. Her anger was reaching uncontrollable levels. After having lost a child, she should be indulging in self-care rituals. Long baths, burning incense and candles, maybe even a little bit of meditation. Something to help heal. Instead, not only did she have to mourn that loss but she also had to worry about the love of her life. Worst case scenario, he became the next target. Best case scenario, he escaped unscathed but moved on with someone else because he thought she was dead. If he knows I'm alive, he would wait for me. I know he would wait for me. But...if he thinks I'm dead? The thought made her shudder. 

    A helpless look crossed Darius's face, and she knew that he wished he could do more to help her.

    Her own demeanor softened and she took a steadying breath. There was no way she could allow the love of her life to think she was dead, so she had to figure something out. In the meantime, there were other concerns at hand. "Look...if you expect me to stay here for any period of time, there are some things I'm going to need."

    "No phones are allowed or anything with a signal," he cautioned.

    "I figured. But I'm sure you guys can manage to get me a TV - unconnected to any cable services - and a DVD player. There are some hygiene products I need. Games. If you can't get me a computer, then I need pens and paper. Coloring books. Hell, I don't know. Anything to pass the time in here."