Bending the Rules: Breaking the Rules #2 Read Free Page B

beautiful, contentedly happy smile into the camera.
It’s the picture Drake put in a file and gave to me in the elevator what seems
like a lifetime ago. It’s not the best picture since it was taken with his
phone, but the way it depicts the love he has for me is crystal clear. I grab
the picture, and tuck it into my purse. Locking my apartment door behind me, I
take a big deep breath and center myself. I can do this. I have to do this. Drake
is my life, and until I find him and bring him home with me, my focus and
attention will be centered solely on fighting for the life and future I have
with him.

 
     
     
    Drake
    Waking up in Zurich reminds me of my childhood. I’m in the
company apartment surrounded by luxury and affluence, but I feel poor,
homeless, and helpless. I once read somewhere that a man is poor at heart
without the feeling of love and support, and right now I couldn’t agree with
that statement more. My heart hurts without Morgan at my side, and the idea of
living this way for the next nine months is unfathomable right now.
    A driver was waiting for me last night when I exited the
airport. I should have known my father would make sure I actually boarded my
flight and made it to the apartment. I’m not sure why he did it, but upon my
arrival, I found the apartment has been opened up, freshly cleaned with the bed
turned down in the master suite, and the kitchen fully stocked. I did notice
that while there was a six pack of beer in the fridge, the liquor cabinet in
the butler’s pantry remained empty. Now that I think about it this has Grace
written all over it, not my father. Even before my mother’s death, Grace always
stepped in to make sure my needs were met, and that special things were done
for me every once in a while to remind me that someone still cares.
    After a quick shower, I decide to spend the day
familiarizing myself with the area. Luckily, I’ll have a car and driver while
I’m here so I don’t have to worry about getting lost. I find a department store
and make the sales girl’s day as I outfit myself with a new wardrobe, complete
with both business and everyday attire. I can see her calculating her
commission in her head as she rings up my sale and arranges for everything to
be delivered to the apartment later this afternoon. Next, I stop by an Apple
store and replace my computer, iPad, iPod, and phone. On my way home, I spot a
gym that is within running distance from the apartment, so I ask my driver to
drop me off there so I can sign up for a membership, and then plan a good route
to and from home. I’m almost back to the apartment when my burner phone rings.
    “Hey, Garrett. How’s it going?” I answer.
    “Hey, man. Are you getting settled in?”
    “Yeah, I just spent the day picking up a few things I
needed, now I’m headed home. What’s up? Is everything alright?” I ask.
    “Everything’s fine, I just wanted to call and let you know
Morgan stopped by the bowling alley looking for you yesterday,” Garrett says as
my heart skips a beat.
    “She did? Is she okay? What did she say?” I start to panic.
    “She’s fine, man. She was looking for you. She’s worried.
She said she stopped by your house, and she’s been calling you, and she can’t
get ahold of you so she was hoping I would know where you are.”
    “What did you tell her?” I ask as my heart shatters a little
more. God, I feel awful for just leaving Morgan. She must be a wreck not
knowing what’s going on. If I could have left some sort of message for her
without any chance of my father finding out I would have.
    “I didn’t say much, just that you stopped by and asked me to
watch your place and store your car for a while until you get back. I told
Morgan you were pretty vague and didn’t tell me where you going or for how
long.”
    “Was she okay? How did she take it?”
    “She was crushed, man. She left pretty quickly. I don’t
think she wanted me to see her cry,” Garrett says.
    “Holy shit,