The car ride was silent and long to the hospital from the hotel. It was a very awkward silence with him driving and me looking out the window listening to the radio on low. I sighed, getting out my phone to play some Candy crush.

"Candy Crush really? Out of all the games in the world, you chose that game eh?" Lucius chuckled as he glanced at my phone. I glared at him but didn't say anything. We were getting close to the hospital now. But I was soon disturbed by a phone call by that hospital. And I quickly answered it worried that it might be something wrong.

"Hello? This is Xellia speaking." I said quickly.

"Hello, yes your sister has woken up I was told to call you right away if anything changes, but I certainly hope your on your way because she's slightly freaked out." The lady on the other end said.

My heart stopped, and I froze. My sister who went into a coma for two damn long months. And the way the lady said it, I was scared for everyone in that room.
"I'm on my way ma'am try to keep her calm we're two minutes away." I said gripping the phone. I hung up and Lucius looked at me expectantly to say something.

"My sister has woken up. Drive." I said.

————-

I quickly ran up to the lady at the information desk with Lucius in tow.

"Ma'am how can I help you today?"

"My name is Xellia Manson and my sister Talia Manson is stationed here at the hospital and she has woken up from a two month coma and I really would like to check up on her like right now." I said panicky a little.

"Alright ma'am you can go up right away just take the elevators." She said

I cursed under my breath. "Where are the stairs?"

"On the left side of the elevators which is right down that hallway there."

I nodded in thank you, Lucius didn't say anything the whole time we were trudging up the stairs.

"Why didn't you want to take the Elevator? It would've been much faster." Lucius said.

"Elevators are stupid. Stairs are more old fashioned for my taste." I breathed out as we reached the second floor where my sister was.

"Old fashioned eh?" He asked amused.

I rolled my eyes and we walked quickly down the hallway. Lucius' long strides keeping up well with me. I looked for my sisters room which was B239. I heard commotion in the room and I opened the door. Seeing my sister sitting up a little pale but calmed.

"Talia." I breathed out. Talia's eyes snapped to mine her eyes brightened at my familiar face.

"Xellia. I missed you." Talias eyes started to water. I ran to hug her I cried happily in her shoulder, I've missed her for so long. It felt like years since I've seen her smile and her beautiful self.

"It's alright Xellia, I'm here, I'm alive." Talia reassured me.

"You scared me to death, I never want you leaving my side ever again like that. Promise me you won't do anything stupid like that." I said releasing from the hug.

"Anything stupid like what?"Lucius spoke up.

"Xellia who's this man?" Talia asked her eyes growing wide at him as she assessed him.

"Oh um, he's apart of a case that I'm working on. His cousin was involved, his name is Lucius king. And Lucius this is my sister Talia." I said slightly embarrassed.

"Your still on the detective work? I thought your quit after that case that happened three months ago!" Talia said.

"No, I couldn't leave the detective work after that case that got you involved, the man that injured you? Almost cost you your life? I'm still looking for that man, that practically tortured you for information. I won't let that happen ever again. To you or Mom." I said

"You shouldn't. That man is dangerous Xellia. Your going to get yourself killed." She argued back.

"What man are you guys talking about? Tell me what happened?" Lucius said butting in.

"You don't want to get involved." I said glancing at him. His dark blue eyes swirled with concern and furiousness. But he quickly covered it like he always does.

"I have time." Lucius said.

I sighed, " Your not going to let this go are you?"

He shook his head and he sat down loosing his tie a bit.

"Well this case has been going on since last year, it all started with having to track down a missing person. We soon realized how serious this case got, we couldn't track her down, never had this happen where we couldn't. I was scared but I couldn't reveal anything to my family because this case was top notch. When a few months passed we found the missing persons body.

Scarred, bruised up, you name it. It was brutal. Then Talia being the one person who was stubborn enough to confront me about what was goin on. I didn't tell her and I warned her not to go looking for the man. My partner in crime helped her. Not Quinn. But Riley, my old partner. I figured out what was going on with my sister knowing that she was putting herself in danger because of me, I freaked out at Riley and Talia." I paused to blink out the tears from my eyes. Lucius nodded for me to go on.

"After my freak out I ignored them because I was absolutely pissed about them going on the case behind my back, I hated putting other people in danger because of me. When Halloween came around, we were all invited to a party, I had bad vibes all week up to the party. I tried convincing Riley and Talia to not go as well as Colton. After me and Talia's argument i was furious when they left. I didn't end up going when I knew I should have. I regretted every minute I was at home. It's was hours passed since they left for the party, it was what, around 9:30 pm when they left at 6:00? Three god damn hours and they weren't home. And when I started to worry I got a phone call from Colton. Saying that he couldn't find Talia or Riley anywhere." I let out a heavy breath and closed my eyes. Then continued the story on.

"This was when shit started to truly hit the fan. I was pissed at Colton and told him I was on my way. I swore I would never let anyone go with out my protection again. Few moments later I had arrived at the party loud music and people drunk off their asses and I saw Colton standing at the front door eagerly waiting my arrival. I started yelling at Colton on how he lost them. Furious that I couldn't find them either when I started looking. I shut down that party, the party-goers where more than pissed at me. When they realized that I was the police they backed off. I looked in every single room of the owners home but found nothing. I asked the house owner and he didn't know shit because he was high. Arrested him in for questioning.

When we were at the station with the party host, Devan Jones was his name. We asked him questions if he knew anything more than what we asked him at his house, and he didn't know anything didn't know who Talia or Riley was, I was pissed once again. It wasn't until I got an unknown phone number from a mysterious caller saying that one girl was dead and one girl is still alive you have an hour to find me. When he said that one girl was dead I was furious and scared for my life. Knowing that either Talia or Riley was dead. Also realizing that we had one hour to find them. The guy didn't give us enough time. I tracked the phone number and found out that it was at an abandoned warehouse and I had twenty minutes to get there. When I found out the location Hudson suggested coming in as a group, and handcuffing the guy down,"I glanced at Lucius who was intently staring at me glancing from me to Talia from time to time. I saw Colton sitting quietly down next to Talia not realizing that he came in during my story. I took a deep breath and continued on.

"I went against the group idea, not sayin anything while everyone else was getting ready to catch the guy. It would've taken too long if we took a whole swat team. I had taken my SUV and had the sirens on to make going through traffic a lot easier. As I sped down the streets I had reached the warehouse with limited time. Long story short we found Riley dead and Talia still alive but not quite. She went into a coma after the traumatizing experience and that's how this happened." I said gesturing to Talia.

"So you never once mentioned the mysterious guys name." Lucius said.

My eyes snapped to his, "Mr.King that is severely confidential to people like you. It may put information like this into danger. And let's leave at that please." I said. He held my gaze he was curious to know and I know he wasn't going to let me off with that answer.

"Why?"

"Because, we don't disclose serious cases to everyday citizens and you'll find out yourself eventually. Because you billionaires have access to everything." I said.

He breathed out a furious breath knowing he won't get any information out of me. He smirked and chuckled. "Your a stubborn one aren't you Manson?" Lucius said

"What makes you say that?"

"Nothing at all."

"Alright you two lovebirds, let's cut the shit and call Mom please Xellia." Talia said glancing between us.

"Lovebirds? Really Talia?"

She shrugged innocently "Well, you two look great together."

"And you mean that no one has called Mom?" I asked changing subjects,

"Not that I heard of. I got a call from Talia's nurse" Colton said. I grumbled and got up, taking my phone out of my back pocket and calling mom outside in the hallway.

"Xellia Marie manson! Why haven't you called me since last night! About you being shot?!" Mom screamed in my ear. I took then phone off
My ear and winced.

"Mom! Calm down it wasn't that bad, I'm fine just need to heal up. You know I've done this before. Also I'm not calling about me." I said.

"What is it? Are you traveling again for your job?" Mom asked

"No, mom. I got a phone call from the hospital and they said Talia awoke so I'm here and I thought they would've called you." I said.

"Talia's awake? Really? Does she remember you?" Mom asked

"Yes Mom of course, they didn't say anything about memory loss." I said rolling my eyes.

"I just wanted to make sure. And this is great news, I'll come over right away. Love you sweetie tell Talia and Colton I said hi." Mom said

"Bye Mom see you then." I said then clicked off. I slid down the wall and brought my knees up to my chest. Wincing as my shoulder let out a sharp pain as I did so.  I hit my head against the wall repeatedly.

Why does lucius have to lure me into his handsomeness? It's strange that I met saw him at the bar that I worked at and then I met him at his own home once again. Small world I assume. He's going to find out who Zyade Mattheson is. The killer who killed Riley. I sighed out and ran a hand through my hair. I promised Riley that I would find him. I heard the door open next to me. To find Lucius staring down at me.

"What do you want?" I asked

"Nothing. Just wanted to see if you were alive." He said smirking.

"Of course I'm alive. Did you think I would want to be lying in my own blood? Help me up." I said holding out my hand. He rolled his eyes and graciously took my hand and I stumbled up.

"Can you be more gentler next time?"
It was then I realized how close I was, his stormy blue eyes were beautiful certainly appealing to the eyes. My own green eyes didn't suit me well.

"What are you staring at?" He whispered breathlessly.

"Nothing..." I trailed off. He leaned his forehead on mine as though he was going to kiss me. But the moment was disturbed by footsteps quickly coming down the hallway. Lucius broke apart, and I looked to see my mom coming down. Still dressed in her work clothes.

"Hey Mom, she's just in there with Colton." I said pointing to the door.

"Oh, okay thanks dear." Mom said looking between me and Lucius. Her face broke out into a grin but didn't say anything and walked in. I raised my eyebrows.

Does she really think he and I are..? My eyes widened and I went in after her. Lucius following from behind. Mom was coddling over Talia making sure everything was alright.

"Mom, Mom I'm perfectly fine! You don't need to worry." Talia said chuckling at her Mom.

"I hope so, because what you did scared me to death." Mom scolded her.

I smiled at the site of Mom and Talia bickering at each other, I've missed this family moments. I felt a nudge at my elbow.

"You miss your family don't you?" Colton asked his eyes glittering with mischief.

"Of course. Family is everything and so are friends. I'm glad you have Talia back. You need to get your health back after the months that you've been hanging around here." I said nudging him back. I heard a phone ring and saw Lucius get up out of the corner of my eye, he met my gaze and excused himself. Business call probably.

"You like him don't you?" Colton said.

"I barely know the guy. I've only met him since last night." I said shrugging.

"In denial I see. You need a man in your life Xellia, stop being a loner and get out more. All you do is worry about paying bills and working two jobs. You need a vacation." Colton said.

"I agree what Colton says Xellia." Mom says coming towards me. I sighed, I couldn't take a break not now, after the sniper that shot me. Someone wanted payback and I would give it to them.

"I can't leave. After what happened last night." I said.

"What happened last night?" Talia asked sitting up straighter. I cursed under my breath knowing that she'll find out sooner or later and it probably wouldn't be me if she found out on her own. I took a deep breath and sat down on the left side of Talia's bed.

"When I was dropping off the Witness of last nights case which so happens to be Lucius's cousin, I was walking out of the hotel, when a sniper shot me dead straight in the shoulder." I said wincing as I took of my coat, showing the fresh bandages. Talia's eyes widened.

"You know I hate it when you put yourself in danger! Are you completely mad! I'm stuck in a coma and you get yourself shot of all things?!" Talia shouted.

"It wasn't like I made it happen on purpose Talia! It was a sniper probably one of his guys tracking me down! I don't know what he wants from me!" I said angrily throwing my hands up.

"It's too dangerous. Please ask Hudson to take you off this case, put you on desk duty." Talia begged.

"I've done this plenty of times. I'm brave at my job. Please don't worry. I'm already on desk duty enough as it is, you know I hate it." I said.

"I don't want to lose you like Dad. Not now. After what happened to Dad I don't think it would look good on our family." Talia pleaded eyes starting to water.

"I can't. I have to find him. Once this is all over, we'll be safe, you'll be safe and unharmed. Please let me find him, I won't rest until he's in jail or dead." I said.

"She's right Xellia, you need to take desk duty, my heart can't take a lot of this panicky thinking that everyday you could be dead. It's why I make you call me every night. I want to make sure your alive and well. If you miss a call, I'll panic, it's not good for me or for Talia to worry. At least ask for two weeks for desk duty then you can go back to finding him." Mom said.

I sighed, I hated that they were right about me making my family worried, that I might officially go crazy looking for Zayde.

"Fine, you win this time. Only two weeks though. After that there is no convincing me back to desk duty. I'll be on the field and ready to find him." I said.

"Thank you Xellia." Mom said hugging me. Then kissing my cheek.

"What will I be doing over the two week break?" I asked.

"You'll be staying at my place of course." Lucius said smirking.

"Wait what?" I stilled shocked that I would be staying with him of all people.