DONATELLA
“Shiid,” Donna cursed through laughter. “This is my first time here. It’ll be like the blind leading the blind.”
“Aw shit,” Niyah scoffed, gesturing toward the long hall. “We’ll just walk around until we find it.”
Donna laughed. “Or until someone finds us starving and dehydrated in one of the long-ass hallways.”
Niyah giggled. “Oh, Lord.”
“Well, you’ve had a hell of a day,” Donna pointed out as they started their journey. “I’m sorry about your friend.”
“Thanks.” Niyah sighed. “Have you found anything new?”
Donna shook her head. “No, but I will. What about you? Anything from the bodies?”
“Mm-mm. Not yet.”
“You know what we need?”
“What’s that?” Niyah questioned.
“We need a homicide detective.” Donna’s head fell. “We need Bella.”
She could hear fear and sadness in her own voice.
“We’ll have Bella,” Niyah asserted. “Trust me, she’ll be working this case from bed if she has to.”
“I hope so,” Donna muttered. When they made it to the staircase, she turned to Niyah and grabbed her hand. “Speaking of all hands on deck, I talked to my commander about assigning you a protection detail. We need you back to work, Niyah.”
Donna sighed, because she knew that leaving the safety of the Creeds’ could put Niyah at risk. Macabre or not, being the medical examiner was a safe line of work. Now that all of that has changed, Niyah must’ve been terrified.
“I’ll be fine, Donna. And I’ll be even better when we find out who’s trying to kill us. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
Donna smiled. “That’s wassup.”
Niyah grabbed a handful of Donna’s long hair and chuckled. “You lookin’ just like Bella.”
Donna grinned. “I know, right? I’m ready to cut it off, but I ain’t trying to get my head blown off while sitting under the dryer.”
Though Donna’s statement was more dismal than funny, Niyah forced a laugh. Nevertheless, the thought left them speechless. So, they walked down the stairs and searched for the parlor in silence.
Minutes later, she and Niyah heard voices and followed them.
When they entered the room, her parents and the entire Creed clan were having a discussion about Bella and Lucas’ care.
Tabitha Creed was explaining why she could better care for them at the estate and that they’d be safer there than at the hospital. Thankfully, her mother was convinced.
“Mom, Dad,” Donna greeted, giving both of her parents a kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, Babygirl,” her dad responded.
Donna hugged Tabitha Creed and gave the senator a pat on the shoulder.
“We’re just waiting for your sister,” Tabitha Creed informed.
Donna raised a brow. “My sister?”
“Wait, Belladonna is coming down?” her mother questioned.
“She is,” Tabitha confirmed with a sigh. “She insisted.”
“Oh, my Lord,” her dad mumbled. “Is that safe? What did the doctor say about that?”
Tabitha shrugged. “She didn’t give him much of a say. But she should be fine if she doesn’t overexert herself.”
Donna shook her head and found a free spot on the sofa. She waved Niyah over before dropping to the cushion. Niyah sat next to her and crossed her feet at the ankle like a debutant; a stark contraction to Donna’s unladylike wide-legged position.
Lincoln moved closer, but instead of taking the seat next to her, he stood near the arm of the sofa. “You okay, babe?” he asked with a concerned expression.
Donna nodded. “I am. I'm just a little tired. How are you, Colonel?”
“I’m good now that everyone is safe and under one roof.”
Donna looked up at Lincoln. “I heard you gathered a few mercenaries for the occasion.”
Lincoln grinned. “I invited a few friends for a little extra manpower.”
“Couldn’t hurt,” Donna muttered. “How many men--”
Her words were cut off when Taylor wheeled Bella into the room. Immediately, her mother and father rushed over and kneeled in front of her. “How are you feeling, baby?” her mother asked.
Even through she looked like she’d stood a few rounds with Mike Tyson, she responded with a goofy grin. “I’m good,” she crooned.
Donna frowned with confusion when Bella looked up at Taylor and the two of them erupted into laughter. Her parents gave her a strange look and backed away.
Taylor smiled at Donna and wheeled her over, forcing Lincoln to move to the side.
“Hey, Twin!” Bella perked.
Donna studied her sister through narrowed lids. “What’s wrong with you?”
Bella giggled. “Not a thing.” She looked over a Niyah. “Hey, girl,” she greeted with a wave.
Taylor leaned down and whispered, “Any new developments?”
Donna inhaled the aroma of weed and gasped. “Are you bitches high?” she questioned in a harsh whisper.
“We might be.” Bella snickered. “Just a little.”
Donna rolled her eyes and threw her head back. “Oh, Lord,” she drawled.
“Let’s get started,” Victor initiated, seemingly unaware of his wife’s state of mind.
He turned to Bella and smiled. “I’m glad you’re up and at ‘em. You saved Lucas’ life. Thank you for that.”
“That’s my man!” she squealed. “Don’t thank me.”
Victor gave her a lingering look before nodding. He raised a questioning brow at Donna as if to ask what was going on. Donna shrugged and shook her head, urging him to move on. Thankfully, he did. He turned to Niyah. “I’m sorry about your friend.”
“Thank you,” Niyah responded mournfully.
“Anything new from the investigation?” Victor asked.
“Not yet, but I’ll keep you guys informed.”
“What about the missing shooter?” Lincoln chimed.
“I’m working on it,” Niyah assured. “I should have something when I get back to work on Monday.”
“Good. Thanks, Doc,” Lincoln responded.
“What do we know?” Victor questioned.
Donna exhaled a frustrated breath. “So far, all we know is one of the shooters that attacked Bella and me were Asian. Dude that tried to kill Bella and Lucas in the hospital was Asian, and so was the doctor that Niyah ran into before her intern was murdered.”
“The man snooping around my office was too,” Niyah added.
“It’s the fucking Yakuza!” Bella blurted out through laughter.
Lincoln glared at her with knitted brows, surely baffled by her bizarre behavior. But, high or not, Bella was a detective, and she might have been on to something.