“What about your dad?” Xander asked. “Are you guys close?”
Niyah smiled at the mention of her father. “We are. We don’t see each other as much as I would like, but he’s my hero.”
“That’s great because I get the feeling that you and your mom don’t have the best relationship.”
Niyah sighed. “Don’t get me wrong. I love my mom. It’s just… well, I don’t think she loves me.” Niyah dropped her head and focused on the paisley printed blanket. “I mean, how could she? Sadly, having two black children did nothing to cure her racism.”
“How can that be?”
The naivete in his voice was strangely enduring. Niyah lifted her head and got locked into his oceanic gaze. “It’s just the way things are.”
Xander frowned and covered her hand with his. “Well, that’s her problem, not yours.”
Niyah smiled. “You’re right.”
Xander’s eyes grew wide as he looked past her shoulder. “Oh, shit!
“What?” Niyah gasped, turning to see what he was looking at.
“The Bears scored!” he shouted with laughter.
Niyah chuckled. “They do that?”
“Apparently,” Xander joked. “They’re only down by a field goal. They might win this.”
A pursed lip and raised brow displayed Niyah’s skepticism. She scooped a spoonful of ice cream and stuffed it in her mouth. “Well, let’s watch and see.” ?
CHAPTER 17
DONATELLA
After an almost three-hour drive to Indiana, Lincoln pulled up to the iron gate that secured his parents’ Zionsville estate. He tapped a code into a panel and waited for the gates to separate.
Donna had taken a few days off work so she could be by her sister’s side. Her parents were on their way as well. She’d tried to tell them to stay put and that she’d keep them up to date on Bella’s progression, but they would hear none of that. Hell, her mother was in the car before their phone call had ended.
Lincoln drove through the gates and followed a road lined with trees. Through the trees was a large pond, illuminated by the moon and stars. “This place is incredible.”
“Yeah, my parents love it here. We all love it here. I can’t believe it took something so horrible to finally get you here.”
“I know, right. My schedule sucks.” Donna squeezed his muscular thigh. “And so does yours, Colonel.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.”
Lincoln pulled to the left of the Creeds’ home. The massive structure’s log-cabin design gave the house a warm, outdoorsy feel. He pulled in front of a large barn and shifted into park. Donna grabbed her bag from the back seat and exited the car. She took a deep breath and noted how different the air was from the city.
Lincoln got out, grabbed his bag, then walked around the car. He kissed Donna’s forehead and took her bag. “This way, my love.”
Donna followed him to the house. They reached the front doors just as the two ambulances carrying Bella and Lucas begantheir approach. Dr. Creed stepped out with Senator Creed on her heels.
“Hello, sweetheart,” Dr. Creed greeted, caressing Lincoln’s jaw.
She turned and hugged Donna. “I’m glad you're here,” she whispered. “I know it's late, but I had some food prepared. It’s gonna take a while to get Bella and Lucas situated. Why don’t you guys go on into the kitchen and get something to eat?”
“Okay, Mom.” Lincoln pressed his hand to the small of Donna’s back. “Come on, babe. Let’s get some food in you so I can put you to bed.”
Donna pulled out of his grasp when her twin was lowered from the ambulance on a gurney. “No,” she breathed.
She couldn’t leave if she wanted to. Donna needed to lay eyes on her sister. So, she waited against the doorjamb as they wheeled her toward the house. When they reached the door, Donna exhaled a breath that she didn’t even realize she’d been holding. Anger whipped through her like a tornado. Bella was still unconscious. Her face was bruised and swollen. She looked like she’d been hit by a train. Donna gritted her teeth. Rage forced her nostrils to flare. Had Dr. Creed not killed her sister’s attacker, she would’ve made him suffer, over and over before killing him.
