Page 62 of Kobalt

“Li’l sis, seriously, have you let all that go now? Are we genuinely good?” Kobe asked, pointing between him and her.

“Yes. I’ve let it go, and I’m good,” Niagara replied.

“What’s on your mind then?”

“You think you know me,” she replied.

“I do know you, baby girl.”

Niagara stirred her food on her plate, but she didn’t fork any and put it in her mouth. “I know that you don’t want to hear about him⁠—”

“If this is about Edward Harden, you gahdamn right.”

“Baby, calm down and just hear your sister out. Your no can be just as emphatic when she’s finished, but at least allow her to be heard,” I interjected.

He sighed and sat back. A smirk claimed Niagara’s lips. “This duo will definitely work in my favor. I always knew that you two belonged together.”

“Spit it out, Nia,” I warned.

She sighed and pushed her plate away. “So, I made some calls and checked around. Domingo is as sick as Dad claims, his bills are legit, and he’s getting worse. I’ll admit, Dad fucked up with us and screwed over Mama big time. Unfortunately, that kid has the same fucked-up blood running through his veins as us, and it’s not his fault. He’s just a little kid, and he deserves to live, Kobe.”

“Get to your point.”

“They can’t afford the surgery. I know that a hundred grand is a lot to ask, but is it when we’re talking about saving a life—our brother’s life?”

I looked at my husband, and I saw the pain in his eyes. I didn’t speak or move, because I wanted him to make up his own mind without me influencing him one way or another.

He sighed. “All right. Put Kai in touch with whomever she needs to speak with to make shit shake."

“Thanks, big bro.” Niagara jumped off the floor and peppered Kobalt with kisses until he shoved her away.

When he looked at me, he allowed a shy smile to dance across his lips. I knew that he felt good about his decision, and I was proud of him.

ELEVEN MONTHS LATER (OCTOBER)

So much had happened over the last eleven months, and I firmly believed that it all started here—in this place. I also believed that my grandmother knew the power of healing that this farm held, and that was why she left it to us.

Several training camps had been held here over the last almost year, but this was the first time a training camp was taking place at the same time my family was here. We had spent most of the day picking apples, giving hayrides to the families from this community, and allowing them to pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch that Harold and his crew had worked hard to grow last season.

He had even brought back to life the old cornfield that used to be here when I was a kid. Within the cornfield was a maze, and I was proud to share part of our land with the community. I was proud to give them a little slice of heaven where they could find love, laughter, healing, and joy.

The cornfield, pumpkin patch, and orchard were more than a mile down the road, which still allowed me to maintain my privacy and my family’s security from wandering visitors. There was a gated, guarded fence around our home, and no one was allowed inside other than family and friends who were invited.

In addition to the other things we had added, we also added a few horses to the family, and during the fall, people could pay for horse rides and carriage rides. The rest of the year, we offered horseback riding lessons to those genuinely interested in learning.

I’d learned the farm down the road was only up for sale because the family was struggling to hold onto it, and they didn’t want the government to buy them out. Instead, I had invested in the farm and worked out an arrangement for the family to repay what they owed.

I had just finished working with the fighters, and I was heading back to the main house. We had a rough day of workouts because two of my fighters were leaving to head to Vegas for fight week tomorrow.

I had taken them through a rigorous workout that incorporated sandbags, hill sprints, flipping heavy tires, and hitting tractor wheels with sledgehammers. My body was as sore and tired as theirs was.

I could hear giggles off the back porch as I headed into the house. Rather than stop, I raced up the stairs, stripped off my clothes, and showered. I knew that the faster I showered, the sooner I could receive my reward.

I had been in the shower for about ten minutes, and I was close to being finished when the atmosphere became charged with sexual tension. My heart blossomed in my chest when I felt soft, tiny hands on my back before they reached around and gripped my length.

“You keep touching that, you’re going to get nailed against that wall, woman, and I’m not sure you can handle it.”

“Oh, I can handle you, sir.”