“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.
LUCAS
Unable to look away, Lucas stared unabashedly at the detective. The woman was blindingly beautiful. Her jet black hair flowed like liquid satin. She was tall and lean with legs that seemed to go on forever. Yet, she was still curvy enough to stiffen Lucas’ cock. Because of her strong Indian features, he was sure that she was Native American.
Confusion etched her beautiful face as Rosemary explained why she had faked her death.
“You paying attention?” Victor asked in a hushed tone.
“Captivated,” Lucas muttered, never taking his eyes off of the detective.
She graced him with a glance, before blinking nervously and looking away. It was in that moment that Lucas knew he had gotten her attention.
They had met before, and he remembered the way she had looked at him. She pretended to be uninterested, but Lucas was no fool. He knew when a woman was attracted to him. He’d seen the look of desire glowing in the eyes of many women, young and old. But Lucas would wait patiently until Rosemary was done with her outlandish tale to make his move.
Since he’d heard Rosemary’s story, just before the detective arrived, Lucas excused himself from the room. He went into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of spring water from the fridge. What he truly wanted was a two-finger pour of Victor’s good bourbon, but it was still morning. So, he settled.
“Is there something that I can get for you?” a feminine voice asked from behind.
Lucas turned to find a petite woman that was maybe in her early thirties standing behind him. He hadn’t heard her walk up. Lucas twisted the cap from the water bottle and asked, “Who are you?”
“I’m Vera, the new housekeeper,” she replied. She smiled and added, “I’m willing to bet that you are one of the governor’s brothers.”
“And you would win that bet, Vera. Lucas Creed. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she responded softly.
Lucas noticed that the housekeeper was blushing. She was an attractive woman with palm-sized breasts. And her face was displaying the very look of desire that Lucas had become accustomed to.
“Mr. Creed, is there anything I can get for you?” she repeated.
“I’m gonna think on it and let you know later,” Lucas responded in a drawl that he knew would make her respond.
Vera definitely deserved a second look, but she was nothing like the goddess that was in his brother’s den.
But he flirted anyway.
CHAPTER SIX
TAYLOR
Taylor watched as Bella’s expression changed when Lucas reentered the den. She was clearly attracted to him. That was obvious. But what was amusing to Taylor was that she seemed to be irritated by the fact that she found him attractive. Bella put forth great effort not to look in his direction. And in her struggle to ignore Lucas, she’d become downright fidgety.
“As horribly twisted as this story is, what does it have to do with me?” Bella shot at Taylor.
Taylor wanted to roll her eyes at her cranky friend. Since she’d known Bella, she had always been brash and rough around the edges. But she was also sweet and thoughtful.
“You’re working Collier’s case, right?” Taylor asked with a bit of irritation of her own.
She was in a pissy mood too. Shit, her fiancé’s wife did just rise from the fucking dead.
“I am,” Bella confirmed.
Taylor turned to Rosemary. “Tell her,” she urged.
“You mean to tell me that as long as this damn story took, you haven’t told me everything?”
Taylor blew out a harsh breath and turned to her bitchy friend. “Would you shut the fuck up,” she gritted.
“You shut up, heffa. Tell me what?” Bella turned to Rosemary, wondering why she was being so theatrical. She wished she’d just spit the shit out.
“It’s simple. The woman who tried to kill me said that she had found out where I was by torturing Collier. You find her, you’ll close your case.”
BELLA
Bella tilted her head and glared at Victor’s wife. She was standing across from her with her arms folded and a look of satisfaction on her face that she hadn’t earned. One would think that she had found the Lindbergh baby.
“Well, okay, Mrs. Creed. Tell me who the woman is so that I can close my investigation.”
“I don’t know who she is. I had never seen the woman a day in my life until she kidnapped me.”
Bella looked over at Taylor who only shrugged. Taylor understood that the information that Rosemary Creed had just given Bella was almost useless. In fact, not only had she not helped her get any closer to closing the investigation into Collier’s death, but she’d just basically dropped another case in her lap. However, Bella did have to wonder if Rosemary’s encounter with human traffickers was somehow related to the three dead women in the basement.
After taking a few notes and telling Rosemary to stay in town, Bella prepared to leave. She had to get back to the station because she still needed to comb through hours and hours of video footage from every camera in the hospital.
Bella could feel the heat on the side of her face from Lucas’ intense gaze. He’d been staring at her since he returned to the room. The way her body was reacting to his presence was unnerving. Her skin tingled and her nipples hardened almost painfully when Lucas was close. From feet away, Bella could smell the masculine scent of oak and Egyptian musk that set Lucas apart from Victor’s scent of mint and power.
When Lucas left the den, she felt a sense of relief. But, surprisingly, she also felt a sense of loss. She hadn’t been so attracted to a man since Dean. Her body hadn’t reacted so strongly to a man’s presence since Dean either.
Bella tucked her notebook in her back pocket and walked over to Taylor. To most, she may have looked cool and confident. And, despite how hot and bothered Lucas was making her, Bella did her best to keep it that way.
“Is there someplace we can talk?” Bella asked.
Taylor nodded her head and walked toward the door. Bella followed her out of the den and into the hall. They walked down a hall that was way too big to be in an apartment until they reached a closed door.
“Dayyyum,” Bella crooned when they entered the massive bedroom.
If she were to be honest, Bella had never in her life seen a bedroom so beautiful. Everything from the walls to the carpet and comforter was white. But the crisp white was accented with very contrasting crimson accessories.
“Yeah, the other half,” Taylor quipped. “What’s up?”
Bella grabbed Taylor’s hand and led her to a white loveseat, adorned with crimson pillows. She pulled Taylor to sit with her and looked her in the eye.
“Are you okay?”
Taylor closed her eyes, fell back on the loveseat, and blew out a heavy breath. “No,” she admitted. “Bella, I am not okay.”
Taylor opened her eyes. They were filled with moisture. Bella squeezed Taylor’s hand and pulled her head onto her shoulder. “Taylor, Victor loves you. That’s indisputable. That man loves you.”
Taylor used her free hand to wipe tears from her cheek. “I know he loves me, but…”
“But what?”
“He’s married to her. He says that they got married for appearances. Supposedly, to further his political career.”
“And? He’s governor now. He doesn’t need her. His approval rate has climbed considerably since he’s been with you.”
“Yeah, so, how’s he gonna spin the return of his dead wife and his eng
agement to me. If he divorces her and marries me, the press is going to demonize him.” Taylor hiccupped as more tears fell from her eyes.
“Taylor, why don’t you let him worry about that? I believe that the governor would move mountains to be with you. And I don’t doubt for one minute that he can handle the press.” Bella gave Taylor’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Trust your man, baby. I trust him. And you know that I don’t trust no damn body.”
Taylor chuckled and sat up straight. She wiped her eyes and nodded. “You’re right.” She sniffed. “Victor will take care of things. That’s what he does.”
Taylor got up from the loveseat and walked into the bathroom. Bella could hear running water. So, she assumed that Taylor was watching her face.
“So, what’s up with you and Lucas?” Taylor called out from the bathroom.
“What? Nothing. What do you mean?”
Taylor reentered the bedroom with the look of skepticism. “Cow, don’t play games with me. You are clearly into that man, and his eyes never left you.”
“Girl, please,” Bella scoffed. “I ain’t thinking about that man.”
Taylor flopped down next to her friend. “Bella, you ain’t thought about no man since you and Dean split up. Why? Are you still in love with Dean? Because, if you—”
“I’m not in love with Dean, Tay,” Bella interrupted in a frustrated tone. “I just don’t want your soon-to-be brother-in-law.”
Taylor narrowed her eyes as if she were trying to see into Bella’s brain. “You still got a thing against dating white guys, don’t you?”
Bella rolled her eyes, wishing that Taylor would just let it go and mind her own business. She stood from the loveseat and walked toward the door. “I gotta go. Gotta get back to the station,” Bella muttered as she left the room.
She stepped into the hall, and of course, she found herself face to face with Lucas Creed. Her steps halted, and her heart pounded erratically in her chest. Lucas Creed was knee-buckling fine. His hair was dark like Victor’s and his eyes were green just like his, but whereas his older brother was politically polished, Lucas was rough around the edges. He had a major I-don’t-give-a-fuck air about him.
Lucas was tall and solid. Beyond his black V-neck, Bella could see that he had the form of a man that spent time in the gym religiously. His thick, chin-length hair bounced freely around his handsome face, and his full lips encased perfect white teeth.
Lucas was watching Bella in a way that made her nervous. She had seen a lot in her thirty-six years on earth, and there wasn’t much that made her nervous.
“Detective, it’s good to see you again.”
Ooh!
His voice was like cool silk, rubbing against her warm naked skin. Bella cleared her throat and forced herself to behave like she would if she weren’t standing in front of Adonis.
“Nice to see you, Mr. Creed,” she muttered as she walked past him.
Lucas grabbed her arm. Bella’s breath hitched when a current of something traveled throughout her entire body. She pulled out of his grasp and glared up at him.
“May I walk you out?” he asked before Bella could chastise him.
“Why?”
“I’d like a word.”
“Alright.” Bella sighed.
Together, they continued down the hall. Bella simply could not understand why she was so uncomfortable. It’s not like she had never been around a good-looking man before. They rounded the corner and entered the large living room. After they crossed the foyer, Bella turned to Lucas. She was immediately startled by how close he was standing to her.
Bella cleared her throat nervously and asked, “Mr. Creed, what did you want to discuss?”
Bella's heart raced when he slapped her with a disarming grin. “I’m going to call you Bella because it defines you. So, I’d like it if you would call me Lucas.”
His voice, his scent, his nearness caused Bella to quiver. “Fine,” was all she could manage.
“I’d like you to have dinner with me.”
“I don’t think so.”
Lucas’ brows bunched. Bella imagined that a man like him wasn’t at all accustomed to being rejected. The thought empowered Bella enough to regain some semblance of control of herself.
“Why, Bella? Do you not think that I’m attractive?”
Bella reached for the doorknob, but Lucas covered her hand. Any bit of control that she thought that she’d regained suddenly fled.
He pulled her to face him. “I asked you a question, Beauty.”
Bella looked up, and despite staring into his hypnotic, green eyes, she managed to strengthen her resolve. “I’m just not interested, Mr. Creed.”
With that said, Bella escaped his grasp, opened the door, and left the penthouse. Once she was in the hall, she wondered if she had just won something or lost something.
CHAPTER SEVEN
BELLA
Bella walked up to the elaborate Gold Coast townhouse and jogged up the steps. She had made several attempts to contact Kara Edwards. Since Rosemary mentioned that she was involved with Collier, and had a part in Taylor’s shooting, Bella had wanted to bring Kara in for questioning. But after several attempts, it became clear to her that Ms. Edwards was avoiding her.
Bella rang the doorbell and knocked on the fancy, French doors. After a minute or so, she was sure that Kara wasn’t coming to the door. Bella turned to walk away, thinking that she would have to show Kara Edwards that she wasn’t playing games with her. But, just as she was about to go down the stairs, the front door flew open.
An irritated, “What?” came from the doorway.
Bella turned toward the door and came face to face with the very woman that she’d wanted to see. “Kara Edwards?” Bella asked, even though she already knew who she was.
“Yes.”
“Miss Edwards, I’m Detective Devereaux from the Chicago Police Department. I’d appreciate a moment of your time.”
Bella noticed the instant change in Miss Edwards’ demeanor as soon as she announced her office. It went from irritation to anxiety. “May I come in?” Bella asked, even though she was already stepping through the door.
“Sure… yes. P-please, come in, Detective.”
“Thank you,” Bella replied as she stepped past Kara.
As she walked across the vestibule, Bella marveled at the elegance of Victor’s former press secretary’s townhome. If nothing else, the woman had style.
Kara walked ahead of Bella. “Right this way, detective.”
Bella followed Kara into an office. When she hurried around a large desk and sat, Bella knew that Kara was attempting to assert her authority. That was obvious. It was a ploy, but a ploy that worked on most. It was the very reason why Bella preferred to conduct her interviews in the police station. But since she couldn’t, she chose to remain standing.
“Miss Edwards, it has come to my attention that you and Collier Sanders were close.”
Bella watched Kara’s reaction while she waited for an answer.
“Yes, I was familiar with Collier. We both worked for the governor.”
Bella smiled and stuffed her hands into the pockets of her slacks. “Now, Miss Edwards, I didn’t ask if you were familiar. I asked if you were close.”
Anxiety flashed in Kara’s eyes for fraction of a second. “No, Detective, Collier and I were not close. He had a job to do, and so did I.”
“Did you speak to him the night of his death?”
Without the slightest hesitation, Kara responded, “No.”
“Miss Edwards, had you spoken to Collier Sanders the night that Officer Taylor Montgomery was shot?”
Before she could stop herself, Kara frowned at the mention of Taylor’s name. “No, I did not, Detective. What is all this about?”
Bella could see rays of annoyance emanating from the woman. She was obviously bothered by the fact that Bella was questioning her. But Bella couldn’t give zero fucks.
“Again, Miss Edwards, did you speak to Collier Sa
nders either the night of Taylor’s shooting or the night of Collier’s death?”
Kara stood from her chair. The tips of her fingers were turning white from pressing them aggressively into her desk. “I said, no,” she responded in a slightly elevated tenor.
“Cell phone records say otherwise,” Bella calmly revealed.
Kara walked from around the over-sized desk and gestured toward the door. “I think it’s time for you to leave, Detective.”
Bella nodded in agreement and walked toward the door. She turned to Kara, and just before walking out, she said, “I’ll be taking your official statement tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. Don’t show, and there’ll be a warrant issued for your arrest.”
“I’ll bring my attorney,” Kara snarled.
“That’s a good idea, Miss Edwards,” Bella shot back as she exited Kara’s home office.
****
Bella rubbed her eyes and leaned back in the office chair. She was sitting in the audio-visual center of the detective’s division, which would better be described as a tiny office. She was painfully combing through hospital surveillance video from the night Collier Sanders was murder.
“Ugh!”
Bella frustrated grunt bounced off the walls in the tiny room. She was ready to give up and call it a night when something on the video caused her to move closer to the screen. Bella squinted at the footage of the hallway that led to Collier’s hospital room. She could make out what looked to be a nurse entering her victim’s room.
Bella looked at the time stamp, which indicated that it was 3:37 AM. But the early morning visit by a nurse wasn’t what got her attention. Nurses checking on patients in the middle of the night was common in any hospital. It was the fact that the nurse was wearing what looked like motorcycle boots that captured Bella’s attention.
The video wasn’t very clear, but the nurse appeared to be a slim and female. Her hair was dark, but she couldn’t see the nurses face. She seemed to be aware of the cameras and avoiding them.
Creed 2: Black Widow Page 4
