BELLA
Bella stepped out of the elevator and ran smack into a giant man wall. She stumbled backward, but the giant grabbed her elbows, keeping her steady on her feet.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I was just—”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m here to see the governor.”
“Right this way, Detective.”
Gregor released Bella’s elbow and escorted her to Victor’s apartment. He opened the door and ushered her inside.
“The governor is expecting you, but I need your weapon.”
Bella rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right, big fella,” she scoffed.
She went to walk away, but the big man grabbed her arm. Bella’s eyes landed on the large hand on her arm and then back to his face.
“You need to get your hand off me,” Bella warned through gritted teeth.
“Detective, I’m only doing my job. I need you to turn over your firearm.”
Bella inhaled a calming breath. She didn’t like being manhandled.
“It’s okay, Gregor,” Victor interrupted. “I’m almost sure that the detective is not here to kill me.”
Bella could tell that he wasn’t happy about it, but Gregor nodded and released her arm.
“This way, detective,” Victor offered, as he walked across the foyer.
Bella followed Victor through the large penthouse and into what she guessed was the entertainment room.
“Hey, friend,” Taylor greeted when she entered.
Bella didn’t recognize the woman sitting on the sofa, but she immediately recognized Victor’s fine-as-fuck little brother, Lucas. If she were to be honest, Bella had never been attracted to men of other races. But Lucas was a white boy that demanded a double take.
“Wassup?” Bella greeted, trying not to stare at the tall, green-eyed, hunk.
“Ooh… she’s pretty,” crooned the blonde woman. “Lucas, isn’t she beautiful?”
She stood and walked closer. Bella folded her arms and narrowed her eyes as the woman looked her up and down in assessment.
“You’re Indian,” she guessed. “Native American or from Asian Indian?”
“It’s essentially the same thing,” Bella muttered, rolling her eyes.
She looked over at Taylor and gave her the, ‘Who the fuck is this bitch?’ look.
Taylor shrugged and gestured toward the bar. “Drink?” she asked.
“Naw, I’m still on the clock. What’s up?”
Bella watched as Victor made his way to the bar. He poured brown liquor into a glass and consumed it in one gulp. Bella blew out a harsh breath. She was becoming impatient.
“Meet Rosemary Creed,” Taylor finally offered.
Bella turned to the blonde and waited for someone to get to the point. “Oo-kay?”
“Rosemary is Victor’s wife,” Taylor revealed.
Confusion caused Bella’s brow to wrinkle. She was positive that the governor’s wife was dead. “His wife? I thought—”
“We all did,” chimed Lucas. “Apparently, we are witnessing a miracle.”
“I don’t understand,” Bella admitted, looking to Victor for an explanation.
“Well, it seems that—”
“I faked my death,” Rosemary blurted out, cutting Taylor off.
