Drake Forever (Unrestrained 7)

She gave me the once over, probably expecting someone who looked less like a disheveled mom and more like a wealthy urbanite, given Drake's wealth.

"He's fine," she said dismissively. "We're watching him for twenty-four hours to be on the safe side."

"Can I wake him up or should I let him sleep?"

"Up to you," she said and turned back to her work. I wondered why she was being so short with me. The ward didn't seem particularly busy, but maybe she was just stressed at being responsible for neurology patients. Maybe she didn't like having two big burly bodyguards cluttering up the hallway.

That, or she had an opinion on Drake and it wasn't good.

"Thank you," I said pointedly, but she didn't respond. I tried not to let it get to me. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe I was being too sensitive.

I went back to the observation room, to find that John had left. Mike had taken a chair from the hallway where several were stacked, and was sitting outside Drake's room.

"You're standing guard, are you?"

He nodded. "Yes, ma'am. John took a break while we're here."

I sighed and went inside the small room, sad that Drake and I were in such a predicament that both of us needed bodyguards.

I went closer to Drake's side and watched him quietly for a moment, trying to decide if I should wake him or just let him sleep. I decided to wait to wake him and took the chair by the side of the bed, moving it as close as I could, trying hard not to make too much noise. While I waited, I gazed at him -- at his face and body.

His face was pale against the pillow, and the paleness made his bruise and scrape appear even worse. I played the scene over in my mind of Drake getting punched by Jeff Monroe and it made me tear up to think of how much I loved Drake at that moment, my heart swelling as I listened to him breathe. We were all so vulnerable to those who might hate us. One moment, we're alive and vigorous and the next? Harmed, possibly near death, our lives at risk.

I had never felt in danger before Lisa attacked me and was a bit dismissive when Drake first suggested we get a security team to provide us with protection. While Lisa worried me, I never imagined she would actually harm me. I'm sure Drake felt the same about Lisa's brother, but if there was one thing I had learned, it was that people were unpredictable. You really couldn't know what they might be capable of.

I felt thirsty so I left Drake's room and spoke with Mike. "I'm going to the cafeteria to get a cup of tea. Can I get you something?"

He shook his head. "I'm fine. Just finished lunch when you called."

I left the ward and made my way down to the cafeteria to get a cup of fresh hot tea. While I was there, I picked up a muffin and then went back to the ward, not wanting to leave Drake alone for too long. On my way back, I passed the small gift shop and thought I'd stop in and buy some flowers for Drake's room. He'd only be in overnight, but I thought it might make him feel better to see some flowers. Of course, as I was checking out the various arrangements, I saw a television perched above and to the side of the cash register. The television was tuned to a local news station and on the screen was a picture of Drake lying on the sidewalk, plain clothed police restraining Jeff Monroe, while John bent over an unconscious Drake. It made my gut clench to see how vulnerable he looked and what a scene he'd been in. The headline read, "Brother of accused killer attacks her ex-lover." I could only imagine the gossip tabloids once they got hold of the story.

I went back up to the ward and saw that Drake was still asleep, so I tiptoed quietly into the room and sat back down by his bed. I sipped my tea and while he slept, I remembered I needed to send a text to my father and Elaine to let them know what happened to Drake and how he was doing, not wanting them to find out from the news reports they would see on television. I only hoped that they hadn't already seen the story yet, but if they had, I was sure they would have called. It would still be a shock but would be worse if they saw it first on television. I didn't want that. I sent a text to my dad, just in case he was snoozing, as he often did just after lunch. I didn't want to wake him up in that case.

KATE: Just a quick note to let you know that Lisa Monroe's brother Jeff attacked Drake outside the courthouse at noon when the court had been recessed. He's got a mild concussion and is at NYP overnight for observation. I'm here now and he's fine.

My father texted me back right away, so he was awake.

ETHAN: So sorry to hear that, sweetheart. My God, what happened to his bodyguard? I thought Drake hired a security firm to provide you both with security.

KATE: Monroe hid in a group of people and attacked Drake just before he got in the car. It wasn't John's fault.

ETHAN: Well, you give Drake our love and keep us posted about how he's doing.

KATE: I will. Love you.

ETHAN: Love you back XOXOX

I put my cell away and sat back, content just to watch my husband while he slept.

For the next fifteen minutes, I sat by Drake's side and read my texts, checked my email and scanned my Twitter feed. When Drake finally stirred beside me, I put my cell away and waited for his eyes to open.

Drake

The punch came out of the blue. I never saw it coming and it hit like nothing I'd ever felt before. One moment, I was focused on getting to the vehicle to go back home to Kate and Sophia and the next, I felt someone grab my shoulder and jerk me around and then...

BAM.

I woke up, lying on my back, my eyes still closed. Around me, I heard shouting and a searing pain ripped through my head. When my vision cleared, my bodyguard John and Lisa's brother Jeff wrestled each other above me.