Page 89 of Dr. Bell

These last few days started to weigh on me. I went from being shot at to realizing that everything wasn’t as it seemed. Russ nearly lost his life protecting me and that even had me afraid to leave Bell Estates. I loved my life. However, the shooting had me stuck in fear. It was like an ocean of cold water raining down on me.

“You can have ten of his children and my baby will still bear the Bell name. My baby is a Bell.”

Genika’s statement ate at me. So much so, that I took another lap around the yard.

“Yep, girl, your baby is a Bell,” I mumbled to the air. Something deep within me rose up, claiming the breath in my body. My steps slowed as my heart pounded in my ears. Chewing at my bottom lip, I paced, worrying over those last words Genika said to me.

“You’re crazy,” I said to myself. There was no way what I thought was actually true. “You’re grasping at straws, Coco. Just accept what it is.”

I couldn’t though. Something was off.

ADIR

Goingtheselastfewdays pretending like everything was cool ate at me. It ate at me so badly. However, I had to be patient. Blood was due to me, and I had to make sure the one who owed it was none the wiser. I’d let him think shit was sweet, just to douse a bucket of acid on his ass.

My phone rang, breaking my thoughts and reminding me that I was with a patient.

“Excuse me,” I said to her.

Stepping from the exam room, I answered Humble’s video call. He wouldn’t interrupt me unless it was an emergency. My guard was up.

“Pops,” he answered, then switched his phone so that I could see the view of Pretty. “Pretty has been in the backyard walking and crying for the last twenty minutes. What you want me to do?”

“I got her, baby. You and Peace make sure the boys are in for the night.” I knew telling Pretty the news over the phone wasn’ta good idea. I had to get that shit off my chest though. Lying to her or keeping it a secret wasn’t in me.

“Aight, cool.”

Hanging up with him, I called Zel.

“‘Sup, Boss?”

“Do me a favor and bring my wife to me.”

“Of course. She’ll be there shortly.”

My next call was to Pretty.

“Hey, baby,” she answered, trying to disguise the sadness in her tone.

“Hey, my love. Put ya shoes on. Zel is about to bring you to me.”

“You’re at work—”

“Missin’ you,” I smoothly replied. “Come see me.”

“Okay.”

Hanging up with her instantly had me on edge. Until I had her in front of me, I’d stay on edge. Walking back into the exam room, I apologized to my patient. A battered woman, Nina Storm, walked in minutes before Humble called. Nina was beautiful and reminded me of my mother in some ways. Her soft dark brown skin shouldn’t have been so bruised up, but it was.

“No worries.” She tried to chuckle. “I have a daughter, so I completely understand.”

After examining Nina’s injuries, I squelched a heavy sigh and propped myself against the counter to study her.

“Who did this to you, Miss Storm?”

I knew my answer. I needed her to open up to me.

Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over. “Nina, please,” she said and glanced away. “Detective Gunner said that I could trust you.”

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