Drake Johnson's POV

I was seated on my bed looking down at Khalil who had his face glued to his screen.

He had been on the phone for a while now and he was still wearing the clothes from two days ago.

Khalil has always been my drive, it used to be my twin brother Josh and that's why we were close but after his death I gave all my attention to Khalil and we became closer than before.

I really love him and that's why I relate a lot with Skai when it comes to Sekani.

Speaking of Skai, I really miss her. It's been a day and a half and it feels like it's been a century.

I wish I had been nicer, more understanding and less strict with her maybe in a way one or two clicks would have avoided all these crap.

I guess I just let my last action and mistakes get the best of me which blinded me to the gem that was always in my hands - life.

I chose to ignore life as a whole by being strict,mean and bossy. I soaked myself in work all the time and showed little affection to my mom and brother.

I did all of that because I felt if I choose not to be attached or become yoked I'd not be hurt when I lose them but that's just wrong.

Family members are meant to be treated with love because they would always reciprocate the love irrespective of the mistake you might have made and that's what I've failed to realize.

At work, I took out my frustration and loneliness on my workmates because I was angry at life and they were the vulnerable ones who could suck in whatever I throw at them but all of that ended when Skai walked into my office.

She taught me a good life lesson. Life is hard, rocky and complicated but that shouldn't change who you truly are.

I used to be a lovely person filled with so much life and never for one day was I strict but after the loss of my brother and dad I let what life threw at me change me into a different person.

But all of that would change as from now on , I'm going to be the Drake that made my family anticipate for me to come home, I'm going to be the Drake that made everyone in the room bubble with laughter.

I'm going to be the Drake that'd make my workmates love their jobs and yearn to come to work everyday.

Most importantly I'm going to be the Drake that'd make Skai feel safe and warmly loved because that's how she makes me feel.

She has put on a switch to light up my dark heart even if I had treated her badly when we first met, she still found a way into my cold and icy soul.

At first it was just the looks but when I saw how she treats those around her, her subordinates,her friend even how she loved and cared for Sekani is admirable.

I remember when she rushed me to the hospital the night when I had an attack. She didn't care if we had a fight that night she still carried me in her arms and showed me unconditional love.

She has been through harsh conditions even when she had set backs, she didn't that change who she was because Skai was always with a radiating smile and a cheerful attitude.

It aches my heart to think of what torture or pain she could be going through in the hand of Becky and Andre. I really need to get her back immediately, I can't stand it if anything happens to her.

"Bro." Khalil called me as he gave me a confused look.

"Hmmhmm." I responded as I widened my eyes shaking off the deep thoughts from my mind.

"Are you okay ?!" He asked as he got up from the sofa.

"Sure why do you ask ?" I said as I sat upright on the bed.

"You've been staring at me for almost five minutes and you hardly blinked, that was creepy." He shook his head as he tucked his phone into his back pocket.

"Oh sorry I was deep in thoughts." I chuckled as I looked down at my arm. I had a sense of relief as I realized the cord from the drip has been detached from my body.

"Gift says hi." He smiled a little as he leaned closer.

"She was here ?"

"Yeah, she took out the drip when you were asleep. She said you are done with that." He said as he pointed his finger at drip stand.

"That's good, I'm glad I'm okay." I smiled as I looked up from my arms.

"But you still have some cuts on your face." His concerned look wandered on my face that had multiple small cuts as a result of the shattering glass of my car when the accident happened.

"They are little, it can't get worse. They'd heal soon." I said as I felt some cuts with my right hand.

He nodded his head as he pursed his lips. "Khalil why don't you go home and take a rest." I suggested as I took my legs off the bed and sat across it.

"Why ?" He asked as he stepped backwards giving me allowance to sit properly.

"Because you've been here for two days now and you haven't eaten well nor have you had your bath." I told him as I gestured to his worn out clothes.

"I'd do all that when you come home." He argued as he rolled his eyes.

I was about to say something but my attention was caught by the door which was opened by James, he was just the man I needed.

His eyes fell with grief as he looked down at me in my awful condition. He gasped as he walked into the room.

"It's not as bad as it looks." I assured him as I let out a slight chuckle.

"Oh boss..." He wanted to speak more but I guess his worries and concerns got the best of him.

"James, I'm good. If there's anyone that they should be worried about ,it's you two." I waved my hands at him and Khalil who stood before me.

"James, please take Khalil home and let him freshen up." I could sense Khalil giving me a stubborn look.

"Sure I will. Do you want anything from the house ?" He asked me as he looked at the hospital gown that I was wearing.

"Just a pair of casual clothes."

"You just have to chase me away." Khalil said as he walked over to the sofa to get his jacket.

"Yes, I need my space, you've been wreaking all over here." I teased him as I swung my legs playfully.

"You're the worst." He shook his head as he came back to where he stood before me.

"Take care of yourself bro." I told him as I rested one of my hands on his shoulder.

"You should too."

"And take care of Mom till I get back."

"You owe her an apology." He pouted at me as he gave me a sassy look.

"Yeah, I do. I'd make it up to her just try and soothe her till I get back okay ?"

"Whatever." He waved me off as he turned to walk out of the room with James.

"Won't you give me a hug ?"

"What are you ?!" He asked as he gave me a nasty look like asking for a hug was disgusting.

"Might be my last."

He looked up at me with a fearful look before running up to me. He rounded me with his hands as he rested his head on the crook of my neck.

"God forbid." He said quietly as he stroked my back.

"I won't let that happen also." I said as I ruffled his hair gently.

He let go off me and he walked out of the room and James trailed behind him but before James could leave I called him.

"James, thanks a lot." He smiled and nodded at me as he was in between the opening of the door.

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier, you are not just a bodyguard. You're a friend and a confidant, thanks a lot ." I appreciated him and all he could do was smile alongside a little chuckle as he bobbed his head down.

"I know and I appreciate you telling me. Later Drake." He waved two of his fingers at me before leaving the door.

I let out a huge sigh of relief as I got up from where I sat on the bed. My legs felt wobbly as I tried to balance myself on the floor.

My head was spinning and I felt dizzy so I reached for the glass of water on the table beside the bed.

I gulped it at a go and I looked around as I put down the cup. I looked around my surroundings and the dizziness stopped alongside the spinning.

I stretched my body from left to right before walking out of the room. I looked down at the hallway and I could see doctors and nurses running from one room to another.

I decided to take a stroll down the hallway when my eyes landed on similar figure who was seating across his bed.

Through the transparent glass of the door, I saw Darius who had his head wrapped with white dressing.

Without thinking twice I walked across the hallway and opened up the door.

He had a surprised face as he looked up at me while I walked into his room.

"Drake?! "

"Darius ?!" I mimicked him as I took a seat beside him on his bed.

"You don't look like you came out of a bomb explosion. " He scanned through my body and truth be told he was looking way worse than I was even if we were both on our feet.

"Well, my car protected my body parts. I just feel dizzy due to the shock of the trauma." I shrugged as I looked at the huge bandage on his head.

"Yeah same here but my car tumbled badly,hit my head badly against the steering wheel." He pointed two fingers at his head as he rolled his eyes.

"Does it hurt badly ?"

"No it's mild but I can't turn without screaming." He chuckled as he shook his head slightly.

"A tough big guy like you screaming, I'd like to see that." I teased as I reached out for his head.

"Whoa! whoa! whoa!" He out out his hand to stop me. "Quit it man." He chuckled as he gently massaged the back of neck.

We both laughed gently as we sat there, soon the laughter evolved into silence as we looked straight into thin air.

"How are you holding up ?" I broke the silence with my question as I rested my back against the steel at the end of the bed.

"What do you think ?!" He still had his eyes focused on his feet as he raised one of his brows.

"I can't cross past this door, the fear of seeing my men laying lifeless on their death beds gives me thrills." He shut his eyes as he bit the the end of his lower lip.

"Even worse my partner is on the verge of dying,even the doctors can't account for her." He looked up at me with a sad look.

"I'm sorry Darius, I also feel guilty for their ordeal." I shook his shoulder slightly as I rested my hand on it

"You shouldn't." His eyes went back to his feet as he swung his feet gently.

I got up from the bed and took a deep breath. "But this shouldn't stop us." My words captured the attention to Darius as he looked up at me.

"What ?"

"I know it's a terrible scare but we can't back down now, we still have Skai in their hands."

"We have to get her back and put Andre and his people behind bars." I rested my right hand on my hip and gestured with my right hand.

"That's easy for you to say, you're not the one clinging to your life neither are you the one who's laying lifeless on your death bed with your family members crying over you !" He spoke in a harsh tone as he pointed a finger at me.

I bobbed my head down and closed my eyes for a second while exhaling deeply. "Look, I understand how you're feeling."

"How so ?!" He arched one of his brows as he gave me a cold stare.

"I get you feel responsible for your men even more for Thelma and I also feel somewhat responsible for what happened to them, it gives me night mares at night thinking about the explosion but..." I walked towards him as I removed my hand from my hip.

"But we still have someone we're responsible for and that's Skai, you and I would feel worse if she gets to die in the hands of those criminals even after losing the lives of your fellow cops whilst trying to save her."

"Drake.."

"No let me finish. You're a detective and detectives find out the truth about their victims, they speak for their victims when they can't, they fight for them and most importantly the save them." I walked back to the bed and took my seat beside him.

"Darius you didn't become a detective to get easily knocked down by setbacks but you became one because you knew even if you are knocked down you'd get back up and finish the case." Even if he was looking down at his feet, I tried to look into his eyes as I encouraged him.

"So Darius would you help me get Skai back ?" I clenched my teeth as I pursed my lips while I awaited a response.

I watched him for a while hoping to get a positive response but he shook his head slowly then I nodded my head in disappointment as I got up from the bed.

I was about turning around to walk out of the room when he said something. "We leave in two days time." A huge smile popped up in my face as I made eye contact with him.

"I knew you wouldn't back down. Thanks so much." I appreciated him as I pat him on the shoulder.

"I need to leave the hospital today." I said as I stepped away from him.

"So soon, but you're just recovering." he furrowed his brows as he pointed his hands at my fragile body.

"I need to get things in order. I need to see my mom and then put keep family in check" I wondered how things would be with Mom.

"Oh okay, that's alright, Please be safe."

"You too." I nodded at him as I turned around to walk away from him but I was stopped by Jeff who walked into the ward.

"Drake." He looked at me from up to down like he didn't expect to see me on my two feet.

"You're back on your feet!" His usual broad smile appeared on his face as he looked up at my face.

"Yes, I feel much better just little headaches here and there." I said as I gently swung my head from side to side.

"That's good." He walked past me and ushered Darius to sit on the bed.

"So how do you feel today ?" He asked him as he took out his note.

"Better." I knew he was lying because he wanted to leave with me and I support him because we need to get to work as soon as possible.

Jeff dropped his note on the cabinet beside him and gave him a scrutinizing look and he transferred the look to me as he scanned through my body.

"What's with all the speedy recovery ?"

"Shouldn't you be happy we are getting well." I teased as I chuckled sheepishly.

"I've been a doctor for over ten years do you really think I'm dumb ? I know that with the way you two were brought in and the pace at which we are treating you, you are still far from recovery." He gave us a stern look as he rested his hands on his hips.

"Why are you guys pushing yourselves ?!" He sounded a little pissed as he looked down at us.

"I still have a case to finish." Darius said as he looked up at him.

"What ?!"

"Okay, calm down Jeff. The thing is Skai is in danger and we still need to get her, time is not on our side because she has limited time to live." I appealed to Jeff who for the first time had a scowl on his face.

"Do you guys have any idea what just happened this afternoon ?" He was seething but he spoke in a calm way.

Darius and I shared a confused look before we both turned our attention back to Jeff who standing tall over us.

"Six of the cops just died! They freaking lost their lives, their families are crying over them and you two are here planning a getaway scheme." He shook his head at us as he took his note off the cabinet and walked past Darius.

He was about to walk past me but I held his arm and as expected his focus was on me. "Jeff, I understand you're angry and you have every right to be but please try and put yourself in our shoes."

"I'm a man with the love of my life halfway across the country in the hands of the person she dreads the most and on top of that I have to ensure her brother get well and unite with her once more while trying to handle the promise of getting her back." He looked down at his feet for a while before looking up at me again.

"On the other hand you have a detective who has lost his men and has his partner clinging to her life but despite that he has the life of Skai depending on him and the government has entrusted him to save her so please try and understand where we are coming from." I pleaded as I enveloped one of my fist with the other as I looked up at Jeff.

His stern look was softened now and he took a deep breath before walking up to where Darius sat. "Fine, you get to go but Darius stays." His words were like a blow to me because what am I in this mission without him.

"That's impossible."

"Can't you see his head ?, he's badly injured and if he stresses, the healing process might be retarded." He gently rubbed the edge of his bandage that was wrapped around his head.

"Please I don't want to lose another patient."

"No... we'd explain..." I was stampede by Darius who raised his palm at me.

"He's right. My boss won't let me continue this case in this condition. He'd give me a break and I'd not have the right to object it." Hope and joy washed off from my face as I pinned my fingertips against my forehead.

"So what now ?!"

"Well you'd be handed a new detective as soon as you land in Spain." He got up from the bed and walked up to me.

"I'm so sorry about this but this is the only way forward." I felt like breaking down and crying on the floor but I had to man up.

"Just do what you have to do today and make your way to Spain. Your new detective awaits." He gave me an assuring smile as he gripped my shoulder.

"What's the details of the new detective ?" I asked nonchalantly because I was not happy I'd have a new detective because I've gotten used to Darius.

"Her name's Edna Rodriguez, she's the best in Spain. She's going be of great help, don't worry I'd send the details to your mail and she's be informed as soon as possible." My lips were curled downwards as I nodded at him.

I had to accept the fact that Darius can't go on with me, maybe o was selfish trying to force him to come to Spain with me despite his health.

He needs care and more medical attention than I, so that was how I agreed to go on without him.

I drew him a hug and and pat him on the back before letting go off him then I flashed Jeff a brief unamused smile while giving him a nod.

He nodded in return before I turned around to walk out of the room but something hit me.

"Jeff ?" I said with my back facing them.

"Yeah."

"I'd be sponsoring all funerals of the deceased, none of the families should spend a dine." I waited for a while but there was no response, I guess the idea struck him and Darius.

With that I walked out of the room with a fulfilled feeling but a sad tugging heart.

°°°°°°°°°°

I strolled into the living room and I looked around like I was a stranger in my own house.

It's been long since I smelt the warm scent of my home alongside the homely feeling it gave.

Climbing up the stairs I remembered the times when Skai and I had arguments that would make us shout at each other as we rushed down the stairs.

A little smile curled up on my face as I remembered out fights but the smile was washed away when my eyes landed on the door to Skai's room.

I walked towards it and stopped right at the entrance, I wanted to step inside but it felt like I was glued to where I had stood.

"You're home earlier than expected." Khalil's voice drew me out of my misery ad I turned away from Skai's room.

He had his hands folded as he leaned against the wall while giving me a suspicious look.

"Yeah, I have things to do." I said as I made my across the hallway to my room.

"How do you feel ?" He asked as he walked behind me.

"I'm feeling different things..it depends on the one you're asking." I threw my door open as I strode into my room.