Page 67 of Grave Revelations

“Az, wait. I don’t…”

The video crackled, and a distorted image of Rebecca appeared on the screen.

“What?”

Simon turned the volume on his laptop down as her voice echoed in his ear and on the audio feed.

“Rebecca. Are you okay? I thought you died.”

“Slow down. What are you talking about?” she asked. “You mean in Bermuda?” The screen was clear now. He watched her fidget, staring at nothing.

“Rebecca, what happened to you two nights ago?”

Rebecca’s eyes glazed. Her features twisted into an expression of pain, but she said nothing, continuing to stare at the wall.

“Were you in danger? Talk to me, Rebecca. Please.”

The video distorted, going dark. “She’s not well,” Gabriel interrupted. “She’ll call you later.”

“I need to talk to her. I know she almost died. I felt it.”

“I see.”

“Put Rebecca on the phone. Something happened. I’m worried for her safety.”

“There’s no need. She’s in my care.”

The call ended.

“Son of a bitch,” he said to the empty room. He turned the volume up, listening.

“What do you mean?” he heard Rebecca say.

“You need energy to heal,” Gabriel continued. “Take it. Take all of it.”

“No. I could kill you. I nearly killed Simon.”

“Simon was a human. I am immortal. Only one thing could end me.”

Jackass.

A nurse bustled into the room, and Simon turned the volume down. Valentina stepped in behind her, and he slammed the laptop closed.

“How are you feeling, baby?” Her too-sweet tone turned his stomach, but he pasted on a smile. The sooner he gave her what she wanted, the sooner she would leave. “I have good news.”

“What’s that?”

“The doctors are releasing you,” she said. “You can stay with me for a while, and I’ll take care of you. You won’t need to come back until the surgery.”

He grimaced at her bright smile. “I would prefer to go to my home.”

Her grin faltered, but she recovered quickly. “No one is at your house. You would be alone.”

“I’m sure the hospital would be more than willing to set me up with a home healthcare worker to see to my needs.” The memory reminded him of Rhea. Where was she now? Had Rebecca saved her?

“I live closer to the hospital and a health care worker can’t be there twenty-four-seven. What if you wake up and need something in the middle of the night?”

Simon’s mouth puckered. The thought of being trapped under her roof was suffocating, but she wasn’t wrong. In his current condition, he was helpless. A few days with her wouldn’t kill him. “Alright, but I need to get some work done. Come back in a few hours?”

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