Page 16 of Saved By the Game

Kybella Vonshire (Bella)

The next day after Brian’s arraignment

If it weren’t for Adonis, Bella would be on the phone crying to her mother. She was scared the shooter would find them. Adonis held on to her hand tightly as they entered the hotel. He hadn’t let go of her hand since the shooting. “Don’t worry baby, the police are looking for the shooter. He won’t get away. I promise you.” Bella nodded with understanding. Bella wanted to call her mother to tell her all about the drama. Talking to her mother always made her feel better. She had so much to tell her. Her ex-boyfriend hurt her in the worst way. Although her mother taught her to forgive, it was hard to forget about how Brian hurt her, so she prayed about it daily. If it weren’t for God placing a new man in her life, she wouldn’t trust another man again. Adonis had opened her eyes to the fact that good God-fearing men still existed. He treated her better at first sight than a man she’d known for three years. Now her next task was to introduce him to her mother and sister. Her family warned her in the beginning Brian wasn’t the right guy for her. She wasn’t sure if her family would accept Adonis from their experience with Brian.

“Hello, Earth to Bella.” Adonis waved his hand in front of her face to get her attention. They were approaching the room. “Are you okay? You seem like you’re sleepwalking?”

“Yea, I’m fine. I was just thinking about you meeting my family.” She stated before she was knocked to the ground. Joey was able to sneak by without getting clearance. “Hey, catch him!” Adonis yelled out to the bodyguards as the police chased down a man dressed in all black. Adonis worked to help Bella up from the ground. She was dazed and disoriented. They watched the police, and the bodyguard catch up to the man and handcuff him. Joey was trying to successfully kill Adonis but he was too careless this time.

“Looks like they got him, baby.” Adonis announced as the police put handcuffs on the guy’s wrist. The police removed the man’s ball cap and hoodie. His face was revealed, and Bella was shocked to see a familiar face that was in the crowd during the shooting. “What’s wrong, baby? Do you know him?”

“No, I don’t know him, but I remember he shot at us during the parade. He was the guy that was trying to kill us.” She responded as the police took the killer’s gun. The police also checked his wallet for ID. After viewing his ID, the police announced, “Joey Harris, you are under arrest for attempted murder. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be held against you in a court of law.”

While the police read Joey his rights, an FBI agent walked over to Adonis. “Thanks to your tips we got Joey the Assassin. He has been the hitman for over thirty murders. It seems he has been hiding today since the shooting. After our investigation is complete, I’ll contact you with more information. Now, you two can sleep worry free tonight. The bad guys are behind bars fornow. We’ll be in touch with you soon.” Agent Bradly said with assurance.

Bella looked at Adonis with confusion. She wasn’t sure how Adonis knew the FBI agent, but she had questions that needed answers. “Wait, how do you know the FBI agent? What tips did you give him?”

“I have ties to important people baby. I’m a well-known celebrity. Now that I have you in my life, it’s my duty to protect you. I told you that you were safe with me, and I meant it. Once the shooting occurred, I texted Agent Bradly to have foreign security services to look for the shooter. I offered tips on where to look to find out who the shooter was.. I also asked him to find out about what was going on with Brian on the inside of the jail. He did his homework and found out valuable information that led to the arrest. Let’s just say you won’t have to worry about Brian getting out of jail anytime soon.” He replied with a smile.

Bella blew a huge sigh of relief. Then she brought Adonis closer to her for a loving embrace. “Thank you so much. .” Adonis kissed her passionately. “Come on let’s go to our room. Everyone is staring at us.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but this is a crime scene now. We will have to tape off this area to secure it. We will have to tape off your room also until the crime scene is released by detectives.” “Yes sir, we understand..” Adonis responded calmly..

The reporter was outside the hotel once Bella and Adonis went outside. She shoved the microphone in Bella’s face. “There has been reports that the shooter from the Olympic parade has been caught inside pending further investigation. “You two were the reason for the shooting at the Olympic game celebration. Can you tell me why the shooter Joey Harris tried to kill you folks?”

“We’re glad God’s angels were protecting us from danger. God answers prayers of the righteous.” She replied and Adonis waved the cameras away.

“There you have it, ladies, and gentlemen. A killer is off the streets of Paris. The beautiful WNBA player Kybella Vonshire and NBA player Adonis Ferguson are safe from harm thanks to the work of the Paris police.”

The quick-thinking reporters had a loose circle around the couple, firing off rapid questions to create a distraction. They had the security guards blocked by the camera equipment and shouted over them that the public had a right to know. The chaos gave the reporter just enough time to conduct the interview until the guards reestablish control. Once the reporter and cameramen left them the bodyguards took notice. One of the bodyguards shielded Adonis and Bella to keep the reporters away until they got to the room. It worried her that the public knew where they were staying. A plethora of thoughts began to cloud her mind. The reporter’s question about why the shooter targeted them weighed heavily on her mind. She wondered if the bullets were meant for her or Adonis. Brian was a man of influence, but she never expected he’d attempt to harm her from prison. After thinking about it, Bella rubbed her head with a look of confusion.

Upon entering the suite, she was surprised to see their bags packed and ready to go. Everything moved so fast since she’d got to Paris. Just thinking about the turn of events caused tears to fall from her eyes. She began to fan herself to help keep the tears from falling. Adonis took notice and went to console her. “Baby, I think this is too much for you. We don’t have to stay another night here. I wanted to stay to support Team USA as a sense of duty to remain in solidarity with my teammates. It’stime to escape comfortably. My personal jet is waiting to take us home. All I need to do is make one call and we can leave.”

“Thank you for taking care of me. I’ve been through a lot of things in my life, but not as much as I’ve experienced today. I feel a bit overwhelmed with all that came with getting my toxic ex-boyfriend out of my life. For years, I’ve endured the silent torment of abuse. The fear, the shame, and the doubt had become so familiar that imagining freedom felt like betrayal. When I finally found the courage to speak words I had long feared-God, remove him from my life. The moment I chose to ask for deliverance marked the beginning of my freedom.”They both began to laugh at her statement. “Honestly, I just want to lay down while you hold me. I haven’t had a peace of mind today since the shooting. Every time I closed my eyes, the sounds replayed in my mind. The sudden crack of gunfire, the screams, the chaos has kept my mind racing with thoughts of fear from unanswered questions. Now that I know we’re safe from everyone out to harm us, I can rest well.”

“Your wish is my command. I don’t mind holding you in my arms while you sleep. I can order room service for dinner and a bottle of champagne. I’ll let my pilot know to schedule us for takeoff for early sunrise.”Bella smiled and kissed his lips with approval. She didn’t have to say a word to him. The chemistry they shared allowed him to know everything her words didn’t. It was the work of the Lord.

After room service delivered their food, they dined together and sipped the champagne. Bella yawned. “I think I’ll take a quick shower before bed. Do you think you can join me? I need your help.” Bella gave him a look that hinted she knew her request might be out of line, but made it clear she wasn’t willing to hear no for an answer.

“I’d be happy to help you in the shower-just know that my goal is to please you. Meaning if I see a spot that needs attention on your body, you’ll allow me to assist.” He responded with a slick smile.

“By all means, I wouldn’t ask you to neglect your duties to help me.” She reached out her hand to grab him and he followed her to the shower. Her quick shower turned into a thirty-minute love-making session. Adonis caressed every inch of her body as he washed her. When she got out, he dried her body from head to toe. She wasn’t even upset he got her hair wet. His respectful and attentive treatment made her overlook the natural curling of her hair. He knelt and held her hand to pray before bed. After they finished praying, Bella reclined in his arms and soon fell asleep.

∞∞∞

The next morning the alarm sounded at five thirty am. Bella wiped the corners of her eyes and pressed, snooze and laid back down. “Nah, you can’t lay back down. It’s time to get up. Our plane leaves in an hour. We need to get dressed sleeping beauty.”

“But Adonis, its super early. Let me get five more minutes of sleep.” She urged while yawning. He moved the bed sheets away from her body, thinking it would encourage her to get up. “Hey, why did you take off my covers? It’s cold in here.” He didn’t answer. Instead, he got up and turned on the lights. Afterwards, he went into the closet and grabbed a dress for Bella to wear. “Oh, I guess you’re dressing me too. Thank you, but I can pick out my own clothes.” She giggled and went into thebathroom to freshen up. Adonis was already dressed. He was a man of order. His outfit and shoes were picked out the night before. “Do you need any help in the bathroom, sweetheart?”

“Oh, no. I asked you to come into the bathroom with me before, but it’s too risky now. If you come to help me then we’ll be late for our flight. I’m almost done getting ready.”

“Babe, our bodyguard is ready to see us safely to our car. Can you come out now? I’m sure you look great.” As soon as he spoke, Bella stepped out in a boho chic Gucci maxi dress. She was adorned in gold jewelry, brown open toe Gucci slides, and a brown floral headband. Adonis whistled as she strutted. “You are stunning!”

“Thank you, babe. I’m sure I don’t need my sunglasses while it’s still dark outside. You have me up at the crack of dawn.” She joked. Bella took one last look over the room to make sure she had everything. As a WNBA athlete, she realized that escaping her abusive ex-boyfriend, empty-handed and without a change of clothes was the only way to protect both her safety and her career; her new boyfriend’s generous gift of a fresh wardrobe became symbolic to the new start she needed. Bella smiled in amazement. God was good to her. He restored everything she’d lost and gave her better. She began to grab some of her bags. “No ma’am, put those bags down. My lady will not carry any heavy luggage. I can get the bell hop to take your luggage to the car.” Adonis commanded and summoned the nearby staff to grab the bags.

Bella gave Adonis a look with her big brown eyes that indicated she was shocked. The assistance he provided required some adjustment. Brian never helped with bags or anything else for that matter. She reminisced. A grin stretched across her face as she waited for further instructions from Adonis. She didn’tmind submitting to him because he always treated her with kindness.

The bell hop came to the door to grab the luggage. His pearly white teeth glistened as he smiled. “Hey, are you Kybella Vonshire? It is you! You’re my favorite WNBA player. Can I please have your autograph and get a picture?”

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