Niyah graced him with a sympathetic smile. “No thanks necessary. I figured you guys haven’t eaten.”
Xander sighed. “Not since we’ve been here, but I’m not sure if anyone has an appetite.”
“Well, just in case,” Niyah responded while opening the bags. “How’s Lucas?”
“We don’t know yet.”
Niyah moved closer and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure he’s gonna pull through.”
Xander’s body responded instantly to her touch. He looked down at her and drew comfort from the sincerity in her beautiful eyes. Even with her locs twisted into a messy bun, a face free of makeup, and wearing hospital scrubs, Niyah was stunning.
Xander covered her hand with his. “I know,” he whispered.
When her hand trembled beneath his, he knew she was affected by his touch as well. She blinked up at him and smiled nervously before sliding her hand from his shoulder.
“I picked up some Harold’s chicken,” she pointed out.
“That’s very thoughtful, Niyah.”
“It’s nothing,” she said with the wave of her hand. She grinned and looked up at him. “Have you ever had Harold’s before?”
Xander laughed. “Of course, I have.”
Niyah raised a brow suspiciously as if she didn’t believe him. Apparently, she assumed that rich, white men didn’t frequent the black-owned chicken franchise.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
She responded with a chuckle. “Of course, I believe you.”
Her skepticism was obvious, but Xander did enjoy a meal from Harold’s Chicken from time to time.
“Hey, Niyah,” Bella greeted.
Niyah turned and caressed Bella’s shoulders. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m hanging in there. What do you have?” Bella asked, switching into detective mode.
Niyah looked around at the distressed Creed clan and tugged on Bella’s arm. “Let’s step outside.”
Bella nodded and accompanied Niyah into the hall. Xander didn’t know if he was invited, but he followed anyway. Once they were in the hall, Bella asked again, “What do have?”
Niyah sighed. “Not a lot. I got a male, possibly Asian, with no prior arrests or DNA in the system.”
Bella turned around and blew out a frustrated breath. She ran her fingers through her long, black hair. “There has to be something.”
She turned back to Niyah. “Tattoos? Identifying marks? Is anyone claiming the body?”
Niyah shook her head. “No one has claimed the body as of yet. But he had plenty of tattoos.”
With wrinkled brows, Bella asked. “Did you run them in the system?”
“Yes,” Niyah replied. “I’ll get a photo over to you and let you know if I get a hit.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Of course. I’ll do everything I can,” Niyah assured.
Xander stood in silence, and listened to all the investigative lingo. He had nothing to offer. Still, he wanted to be kept in the loop. Bella dropped her head and reached forthe doorknob. “You can find me here until Lucas is out of the woods.”
