The embarrassment that engulfed Rio made his stomach queasy. Men like him didn’t get cheated on. Men of his caliber usually controlled the relationship, but Cali had hoed him. She not only disrespected him by stepping out but she almost took his life.
“Damn,” Noble drawled, dragging his hand over his mouth. “I see why you put that bounty on her.”
“Listen, I want that bitch dead and I’m looking for her boyfriend, too. I sent Cee and Slime to check out all the spots he been at, but shit came up empty.”
“Don't worry about that. I got a connect that can find anybody. That shit will be handled but Cali is different. You know her pops is with Noir Mob. If you kill her, it will start a war with them. You know a nigga like me ain't scared but I ain't trying to be fighting over a female.”
“So, what I’m supposed to do? Just let this shit go?”
“No.” Noble shook his head, leaning against the door. “You play it smart. Get paid for your pain.”
“Get paid?” Rio said more to himself.
“The money won’t take away the betrayal but taxing the fuck outta them will give you some kind of retribution. All bullshit aside, do you know for sure that she set you up?”
“Yeah.”
“You don't have no doubt?” Noble asked him again.
Rio retreated to his thoughts. The tiny piece of his heart that was tender for Cali wanted him to believe that she would never try to have him killed. She had been heaven sent during his recovery, showering him with love he had been yearning for during the early part of their marriage. Abruptly, the savage side of him overpowered. He couldn’t ignore his instincts. It was the reason he had survived so many years in the streets.
“Yeah, you ain't one hun’nid percent sure,” Noble stated.
“But I’m not stupid either. Fucking the nigga who caused my accident makes her look like a suspect.”
Noble nodded. “You right, it does. Still, you gotta be sure because if you kill her and she wasn’t the person that set you up, you will live with that regret for the rest of your life. Unless her pops clip you first.”
Rio rubbed his aching eyes, feeling the intensity of his headache increase.
“I’ll call a meeting, and we’ll figure that shit out.”
Rio was too angry to be just. He wanted revenge. The smell of blood was his new desire. Allowing Cali to get away with her betrayal was an act he could never let happen.
“I gotta make a move. Be calm. We’ll get this shit figured out,” Noble assured, dapping him up.
Rio got out the car without saying another word. What could he say? Everyone’s opinion left him suspended in a state of confusion. Yet the feeling of wanting Cali and her beau dead hadn’t changed. Money wouldn’t fix this issue, blood only.
“I just wanted to check on you before I went to the warehouse.” Ivory peeked her head inside Irish’s room. “Are you going to be okay?”
Irish nodded, knowing she felt the complete opposite. Ivory had been such a godsend during this time of bereavement. If it hadn’t been for her duty to make sure orders were packed, Irish’s business would’ve went under.
“Alright, well, let me know if you need anything and I’ll bring it home.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, and Mama called. She said she needs some money.”
Irish placed the covers over her head, not bothering to respond as Ivory closed the door.
Why did the pain have to be so great? Why did it pause her appetite, disrupt her sleep, and make her bones aches so badly? Days had passed since Noble gave her the pink slip, and Irish couldn’t bear to pull herself out of bed. Jovanis hadn’t even been around to help her through this time but Irish welcomed his absence. She needed to wallow without him barking down her back.
Irish was unfortunately back in the bleak place she had been. The door to loneliness was open and she had no choice but to walk through. She never anticipated Jovanis costing her a love that literally filled her to the brim with passion. All she needed was time. Noble should’ve understood that, considering the position she’d been in.
Irish’s eyes leaked again, wishing she could rewind the time and say no to this marriage. Back then, she felt that was the only choice. She had to survive and Jovanis was her means to survival. She thought they could move on together and forget about their past. He assured her that it was behind him, yet hiswarning from the other day caused her heart to palpitate. Regret pooled inside her chest, provoking nausea to settle. She wanted a do over. Another chance to make a different decision but life wasn’t set up that way. She would have to live with the decision that triggered endless amounts of regret.
2007
“You should’ve got the red one,” Jovanis said with his mouth full.
