Cali resumed driving home when her phone rang. Seeing his number on the screen, she decided that she’d done enough talking to Rio. Grabbing her phone, she powered it off. She was in a bad mood and headed home to sleep her attitude away.
One week later…
“That nigga, Vic, ain't been answering his phone. That shit is real suspect, especially with everything that’s going on,” Zayd said.
“Yeah, all this shit happening and his mama mysteriously get sick,” Wilde added. “What kinda disease that hoe got anyway?”
Noble pulled at his chin hair in deep thought. Vic had been like family ever since they were teens. He’d proven his loyalty time and time again but this was strange. He’d disappeared right before everything happened and it didn’t sit well with Noble. It was only recently that he had informed Nuke of his mother’s illness.
“Man, I don't think Vic lying,” Rio added. “If he said his mama sick, then she is. This Vic we talking about, y’all. Not no nigga off the street.”
Noble reclined in his seat. “You don't think all of this shit is convenient with him having to leave the city? You act like him and Tuck wasn’t cool.”
“I mean”—Rio paused—“I just don't think Vic would go against us like that.”
Noble was at the point where anyone was a suspect. He had been in the shadows, waiting for people to show their hand. Now it was time for him to make his move. Noble was certain Tuck had gotten comfortable, which was the perfect time for him to strike. Although his relationship with Irish had ended, Noble would never let Tuck slide for trying to kill her.
“Word on the street is that nigga, Jakai, missing. His family been looking for his ass and asking around,” Zayd added.
Noble nibbled on his lip then asked, “What is everybody saying?”
“That The Saint City Boys caught him slippin’. You know he had some jits rob one of those niggas last month.”
“What?” Noble barked. “Robbed him for what?”
Wilde shrugged. “I think the nigga shorted him.”
Sighing dramatically, Noble shook his head. Despite him knowing exactly what happened with Jakai, he didn’t like knowing he had possibly gotten them into a war with the Saint Crew.
“What the fuck?” Noble fussed. “We don't need no more fucking enemies. Why I wasn’t notified about this shit?”
Zayd shrugged. “‘Cause we just found out. Them boys in Magnolia Courts was keeping it on the low.”
Noble nodded, enraged by this recent development. “Yeah, a’ight. Starve them out. They gon’ learn not to fuck with how I do shit.”
“You sure?” Rio asked.
“Yeah, I’m sure. I don't want shit moving over there.”
Zayd exhaled. “Heard you.”
Glancing at his watch, Noble had to go pick Kenji up from Kaliste’s house. He still hadn’t made up with his sister but would never deprive Kenji from spending time with her son, Amare.
“I gotta go.” He stood. “I’ll holla at y’all later.”
Noble shook hands with them all before walking out of the building. The night was still young as the muggy air kissed his skin. He walked toward his truck with a million things resting on his mind—Irish being the heaviest one. Noble wanted nothing more than to scoop her up and go to their spot on the beach. He wanted to listen to her talk and rave about their baby, but things were so fucked up between them that he knew that wouldn’t happen ever again.
Noble didn’t imagine losing her like this. Selfishly, he’d thought with Jovanis finally being out the way, they could thrive. No more sneaking, no more keeping their affair on the low. They were free to put their love on full display. Noble had so many plans for them—more babies, marriage, and a lifetime of bliss—yet, he couldn’t get her words out of his head.
She believed Jovanis over what he had been showing her. How could Irish think he would hurt her when she was the first and last thought of his day? All he thought about was how he would make her life better or give her the world plus the universe if she asked. Irish was his heart; a woman who had come into his existence and changed the way he approached love. Even with all that Noble had shown her, she still chose to believe the words of a man who didn’t handle her correctly.
Maybe it was his ego or probably his pride. Noble couldn’t swallow her words. He couldn’t take their relationship being based off Jovanis’ measurements. She would always measure him up to what Jovanis was and Noble knew that man didn’t compare to him. He hated to have another failed relationship with a baby on the way. The failure of their situation ultimately fell on him, though. He should've used better judgement when he went to see Danira. Irish had a right to feel a way about that since he would, too. However, she didn’t have a right to declare that he would break her heart based off a dead man’s word.
Noble arrived at his truck and reached for the handle. Screeching tires snatched his attention. His head snapped to the right, spotting an arm hanging out the window.
“What the fuck!” he gasped, bracing himself.
Pow! Pow! Pow!
