Page 35 of Dr. Bell

Pretty.

The way she stayed on my mind had to be studied. We had a great routine going. She was still trying to get used to me, so I gave her the space to feel like she was still living alone. I didn’t seek her out and instead allowed her the space to come to me. Damn if a nigga didn’t wait for her to come to meeverynight. I waited up just to hear her turning my doorknob to come into the room we would one day share. I’d sit next to the bed and hope she asked me any-damn-thing just to hear her talk.

Her scent filled my room to the point where sometimes, I just closed my eyes and let the air particles around me take me on a journey. Oftentimes, the journey led me to having the hardest dick. She had me so ready to show her everything I wanted to do to her. However, I promised her that things would move slowly, and I meant that. Which was crazy because we worked together now. Her office was just a short walk away from mine, and it took all my willpower not to be in her shit between every patient. And she’d just started yesterday.

“What you mean? I’m being forced to claim ya fuckin’—”

Quilo’s tone and delivery snapped me out of my thoughts of Pretty. I shot him a sharp glare which cut his words off.

“I don’t like this,” he said.

“We’ve already established that.”

“You gon’ hurt my sister.”

“I would never.”

“All niggas say that.”

“I’m not all niggas.”

“All niggas say that shit, too,” he countered.

I had to give it to Quilo. He wasn’t a pushover.

“You’re right,” I conceded. “All niggasdosay that shit.”

He puffed his chest out at the small victory. However, I was about to burst his bubble.

“All niggas can’t make a body disappear, though.”

Quilo’s cocky expression turned into a stern mug. “I was protecting my sister.”

I shrugged. “No matter the reason, you really think having ya future in the hands of the laws is easy?”

He simply looked at me.

“I didn’t think so. And the laws ain’t the only issue here. You’re smart enough to know the streets don’t play fair.”

He took his L on the chin and clicked his teeth. “I’ll give you that.”

“So, where do we go from here?”

As if he waited for the opening, he asked, “Why is it you can make a body disappear? Who the hell are you?”

Smirking, I replied, “You haven’t asked Humble or Peace?”

Reluctantly, he shook his head.

“You should get to know my sons. I think you’d find that y’all have some things in common.”

“Like what?”

“Ask them,” I stated. “As for me, I won’t tolerate disrespect. I’m cool with you knowing exactly who I am. You gotta understand what type of privilege and responsibility comes with knowing me. That goes for every single person in this family.”I motioned around to the pictures of the Bells on my walls. “To know these people is to understand that there is a code. There is honor. There is respect. Most of all, there is loyalty.”

“Ain’t nobody loyal,” he mumbled.

Before I blasted off, I checked myself. Quilo wouldn’t know anything about loyalty outside of his sister.

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