“The fuck?” Noble looked at the phone in complete disbelief.
“What happened?” Kaliste inquired, shifting the papers on the table.
“Why the fuck Bernard calling here?”
“Bernard?” Wilde questioned. “That pussy shouldn’t be calling this house.”
A knowing look covered Kaliste’s features. “Where y’all been? Bernard been calling this house.”
“What you mean been calling?” Noble grilled her.
“Um, calling. Mama been talking to him, too.”
An ache washed over his chest as he processed Kaliste’s news. He had been promised by Lyra that she was done with Bernard, only for her to go back on her word. With the phone still in his hand, Noble hung up then dialed Lyra’s work number.
“Unity Healthcare, this is Lyra speaking. How may I help you?”
“Mama, why you still talking to Bernard?” Noble wasted no time interrogating her.
“… What are you talking about?”
“He just called this house and Kaliste said you be talking to him. I thought you were done with him.”
“Noble, it’s complicated. He actually wants to apologize to you.”
He gawked in disbelief. “I don't care what he wants. That man tried to pin a charge on me and you sitting up here still talking to him.”
“Look, I know you're upset but he knows what he did was wrong. I let him have it to—”
“Don't nobody care about that,” he cut her off. “You flawed, Mama. You said you were done with him but you been talking to him on the low. What kind of mother are you?”
“Hey, don't use that language with me. This is grown people’s business and I know you were affected by it but you will not disrespect me. All I’m doing is talking to this man. You act like I’m back with him.”
Noble did something he had never done to his mother and hung up the phone in her face. There were no more words that needed to be spoken. She didn’t keep her word. She went back on the promise she’d given Noble and he couldn’t look past that.
“What she say?” Kaliste asked.
He scoffed. “Fuck her!”
“Don’t say that, Noble. That’s our mama. She don't need permission to talk to her boyfriend.”
Noble was too hurt to go back and forth with his sister. Lyra had been his soft spot—once upon a time his safe haven. Now, she was nothing to him. The respect was gone and it pained him not to see his mother as the greatest woman ever created.
Everything had played out the way Noble planned for it. It had been a month since Jovanis’ murder and everyone seemed to loosen up, which gave Noble insight to see who Tuck had used. There were several people on his list but he wouldn’t strike right away because it wasn’t time. Vic had responded to a few texts but he was still MIA. Noble didn’t want to believe he would turn against him but the game produced disloyalty.
Noble entered his logistics company where he saw Wilde talking to Kaliste. She had been blowing him up since the meeting at her house, professing how sorry she was. Yet, Noble couldn’t forgive her. At least not now. She’d set him up to be ambushed by people he had a real problem with. Forgiveness for her wouldn’t come that easily. However, he was still a businessman and would keep his dealings with Kaliste and his mother professional.
“What you doing here?” Noble asked Wilde.
“Trying to catch up to you. Yo’ ass should've been named Ghost.”
Noble smirked at him as he grabbed some paperwork.
“Hey, Noble,” Kaliste greeted.
“Did that shipment arrive?” he asked, ignoring her salutation.
“Yes, it did. When are you going to let that go?” she complained. “I just wanted to make peace with you and Mama.”
