Page 60 of Dr. Bell

“Keep it cute.”

Peace and I spoke at the same time. I glanced over my shoulder to see his face balled up at Gensen. He could relax. Although my blood boiled, I wasn’t about to stoop to her level.

“Shut up before I come up there and beat yo’ ass,” she retorted.

“Nah, you ain’t gon’ touch her,” Russ informed her. “Go sit the fuck down.”

For a moment, I was scared of Russ. The base in his voice coupled with the deadly look on his face made Gensen find some second thoughts. She glared at me before turning around and going back down the stairs to her seat.

Russ came back to sit down with a shake of his head.

“You’ve known Adir for a while. How do you think he’ll feel if I smack the taste outta her mouth?”

Russ chuckled. “I would never let her get that close to you.”

“That’s the problem though. Hiding behind you while a woman is being disrespectful to me makes me feel and look weak. I don’t like that.”

“Well, ya man will be here soon. If I were you, I’d tell him how you feel ‘cause I definitely hope you knock the wind out her ass.”

I eyed Russ pensively.

“What is it?” he said after a few minutes.

“You like your job?”

“Ilovemy job. There’s a difference.”

“So, you’d really jump in front of a bullet for a stranger?”

He grilled me, causing me to laugh. “Damn, I thought we were past the stranger stage. I’m only wit’ you every single day.”

I laughed and playfully rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean.”

His broad shoulders briefly lifted as his eyes scanned our surroundings. For a moment, his gaze rested on Humble, Peace, and the twins. “Aside from those young men that are now your sons, I’ve never seen him happier. A happy Adir means there are a lot of people who can sleep peacefully at night. So, yes, I will do whatever to protect you. He knows that.”

Again, I found myself looking at him. “Suppose you want to get married or have a family of your own.”

“When the time comes, it’ll come. Until then, I’m stuck to you like glue. And I wish a muthafucka would.”

Just as I geared up to reply, Adir appeared with Zel close behind him. Before making his way up the bleachers, he stopped to talk to the boys. They were all here to support Quilo on his team’s opening night. He wore black joggers, a black tee, and sneakers. His thick body poured into those clothes made my mouth water. Our eyes locked, and his lips tilted in a half-smile. Russ stood to give Adir his seat. The two men bumped fists, then Russ moved to sit down below us. Zel sat behind us. I was aware that all eyes were on me when Adir sat next to me. He leaned over and kissed me a few times as if he hadn’t seen me at the office today.

“I’m surprised you made it on time.”

He brought me closer to him and kissed the tip of my nose. “I’m where I belong, baby.”

Smiling, I replied, “And since you’re here. It should be noted that I can’t put my hands on Genika. Gensen, on the other hand, is fair game.”

He chuckled. “That’ll never happen, my baby.”

“Oh, it will. You’re gon’ let me because if you don’t, I’ma be mad at you.”

I felt Adir’s head tilt as he stared at the side of my face.

“You gon’ be mad at me?” His question was laced with humor and disbelief.

“Yep. I’m gon’ sleep in my own bed and everything.”

His low chuckle sounded deadly as hell. Still, I kept my spine straight, head forward, and mouth pursed. I felt his fingers along my chin, then he turned me to look at him.

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