Taylor sucked her teeth. “Thank you, Kena.”
Donna leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t thank her. She lying her ass off.”
Bella dropped her head and laughed at her sister. “No doubt about it, friend. She lying.”
CHAPTER 46
NIYAH
Niyah stood in front of the mirror, looked down at the faded black jogging suit, and smiled. It had to be the most comfortable outfit in her entire wardrobe. She wrapped her locs up in a tight bun and pinched her cheeks. That was all the time allotted for glamour. Hell, she was barely on her feet. At the ass crack of dawn, they’d been awakened and damn near scraped off the lake house floor by the Creeds’ staff. That was everyone exceptVictoria. Somehow, she’d managed to pull herself together and left around three in the morning.
Niyah sighed. She just needed to get through breakfast so she could get on the road. It was getting harder and harder to avoid Bella. She knew. The moment she walked into her office and saw Naomi, she'd realized that Bella knew. She was no fool. In fact, she was one of the best detectives in the department.
Niyah had fucked up when she stole evidence from a crime scene. And shereally fucked up when she tampered with the DNA. It was just a matter of time before Bella would snatch her criminal activity from the dark and toss her deeds into the light. When it was all said and done, Naomi could be headed to prison for multiple cases of murder. And Niyah would be right behind her with charges for tampering with evidence, accessory after the fact, and only God knew what else.
Niyah shook her head. She had to ask herself, would she do it again? Would she risk her freedom to help her sister? Sadly, the answer was no. Truth be told, Naomi was a fuck-up. Niyah could have risked her freedom for nothing. Because even if Naomi did get away with murder, she was bound to fuck up again.
A ding notified Niyah of a text received. She assumed it was Xander checking her whereabouts. She left the phone on the dresser and left the room. Hopefully, she’d get through breakfast without the third degree from Bella. Surely, she wouldn’t attempt to question her at the breakfast table.
Niyah took the hall and made a few turns before realizing that she was lost. Thankfully, she ran into a member of the Creeds’ house staff. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Dr. Reed,” the young woman greeted in return.
Niyah smiled. “I’m a little lost. I'm trying to get to breakfast.”
“You want the morning room, Doctor. If you’ll come this way, I’ll show you.”
Niyah sighed. “Please. Thank you.”
The staffer led her through the Creeds’ massive house to the morning room. She opened the French doors and held them open for Niyah. “Enjoy your breakfast, Dr. Reed.”
“Thank you.” Niyah entered the morning room and almost laughed at what she saw. It was like the beginning of an SNL comedy sketch. Senator and Dr. Creed were seated at the end of the table, indulged in conversation, and looking as fresh as a pair of daisies. It was all downhill from there. Bella was slouching at the table with her eyes hidden behind dark shades. Her hair was a rat’s nest on top of her head. And as bad as she looked, she somehow managed to look better than her sister. Donna was still wearing her costume, except she’d cut the thong from between her legs and slipped into a pair of leggings. She was resting her head against the back of the chair. It seemed she might have been asleep.
Niyah sat between Xander and Lincoln and frowned. Xander smelled like the sticky carpet in a west-side hole in the wall. “Damn!” She wrinkled her nose, sliding her chair closer toLincoln to create a bit of distance between her and her smelly roommate.
Niyah looked around the table. She turned to Lincoln, who looked perfectly fine. In fact, he actually looked like a man who had gotten a good night’s sleep. “Where is everybody?” she asked.
Lincoln placed his coffee mug on the table and waved for the server. She moved to refill his coffee, but he stopped her and took the carafe. “I got it,” he whispered with a smile. He turned to Niyah. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please.” Niyah slid her cup closer to him. “Thank you.”
“No worries. Well, to answer your question… Victor and Taylor are back on the campaign trail. Maria and Kena hitched a ride back to the city with them. I’m almost sure that Jaysen is still passed out in the boathouse.” Lincoln chuckled. “He’s a lightweight.” He frowned and looked around. “I have no idea where Lucas is. Mom, Dad, has Lucas been down?”
“No,” Tabitha responded. “Maybe I should send someone for him.”
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Victor Senior assured. “Bella, have you seen him this morning?”
Bella moaned. “Mm-mm. Not yet.” She slid her coffee cup toward Lincoln. “Hit me.”
Lincoln poured coffee into her cup and kicked Xander under the table to stop him from snoring.
“What a bunch of children,” Tabitha scolded. “You all ought to--”
Her words were clipped by Lucas’ entry. Niyah looked up and nearly choked on her coffee. Donna did the complete opposite and involuntarily spat coffee across the table.
“What the…” Tabitha started.
Not only did Lucas look like he’d been run over by a bus, but incredibly, he entered the morning room with a half-naked blonde attached to him by a set of handcuffs.
