Chapter Twelve
Twelve
Her tears were the size of raindrops.
Noble now had complete understanding of the dynamic of Irish and Jovanis’ relationship.
The story had taken a turn that he didn’t anticipate.
Nonetheless, he was glad she had opened up.
Jovanis had saved her from a predator that was more than likely plotting to take her innocence.
And if he didn’t take it, he would’ve surely sold it to the highest bidder.
“So.” she sniffled. “When you said he had something over me, I wanted to correct you and say that he didn’t hang that over my head. I assumed he did in our argument, but he explained that he was reminding me that our bond is deeper than what we’re going through.”
Bullshit…
But Noble wouldn’t elaborate on that.
“Jovanis was my first protector even when my mother failed. He literally took care of me since I was fourteen. If I needed toiletries or clothes, he made it happen. He even looked out for my little sister when he didn’t have to.
I have great respect for him because he’s so loyal.
He taught me how to be loyal…” She paused.
“Or maybe that was a form of manipulation… I don't know.”
Noble silently celebrated her connecting the dots. Jovanis may have been a lot of great things to Irish, but he still manipulated her loyalty.
Irish turned to him, face saturated from the tears of her past.
“Jovanis has been a great friend to me. A part of me owes him my life because he saved me from going through a lot of trauma.”
“He may have saved you from experiencing worse trauma, but you still went through trauma, baby.”
Irish shook her head. “No, I didn’t. Emanuel never got to do what I’m sure he planned.”
“Look, trauma ain't just physical. That shit is psychological, too. Your mama sold you out to him. She’s supposed to protect you, but she sacrificed you for money. Her ol’ man was touching you and even though it wasn’t in your private area, he still touched you inappropriately.
He had niggas looking at you, knowing their thoughts weren’t pure.
He put you on a platter for grown men to desire you.
At fourteen, that’s fucked up. You’ve experienced trauma.
You just had a friend that saved you from being completely ruined. ”
Irish sat in silence, seeming to ponder what Noble had just said. He couldn’t believe she had chalked up in her mind that she hadn’t gone through anything traumatic.
“I always thought because he didn’t rape me that I was saved.”
Noble seesawed his head. “In a way, you were saved from worst circumstances, but you still suffered. You were scared to go home that night. You still don't think you went through trauma?”
She nodded. “If you put it like that, then yeah.”
Waves from the ocean took over their conversation. Noble was relieved Irish had given him access to that part of her life. It gave him a full scope of what she had been through and how Jovanis played a part in it.
“I appreciate you telling me about your past. I know that shit wasn’t easy.”
“No, it wasn’t.” She looked down at her red nails before peering at him.
“I’m ready to experience my life, my way.
I’ve dedicated myself to Jovanis and he has done the same to me, but I don't want to be stuck anymore. I paid my debt to him. I just want to be free and make decisions without considering him… I know it’s selfish but—”
“But you gotta do what you gotta do,” he interrupted her. “This is your life, baby, and you shouldn’t have to be devoted to that man forever.”
She swallowed hard, scraping her teeth over her bottom lip. “I know and that’s why I’m here with you. Things have changed, and I’m choosing me. I have to. I really have no other choice now. The stakes are different.”
The austere expression on her face alerted him that she was serious. This time, there was no doubt toying with her. Irish was firm in her decision, and Noble was elated by that.
“I gotta tell you something else.” She sighed, suddenly avoiding his eye contact.
“What?”
“…I had a fight with your ex-wife.” She cringed. “I tried to avoid it, but she was trying me. I could handle her words, but she threw a flat iron at me, so I beat her ass. I’m not proud of that but she wouldn’t leave me alone.”
Noble smirked before lowly chuckling. “I already know. She called me the day it happened.”
With a knowing expression, Irish replied, “Let me guess. She blamed everything on me, right?”
He confirmed with a nod. “Yep, but she said she won the fight.”
Smacking her lips, she retorted, “She didn’t win anything. I even got kicked out the shop because I beat her ass.”
“I already knew she was lying.”
“But I don't want us to be at odds as crazy as that may sound. You’ve got a son with her, and I don't want his life to be hard because we can’t get along.”
This was one of the traits that made it so easy to fall in love with Irish. Her maturity and willingness to put aside her personal issues were attractive.
“You let me deal with that.” He kissed her lips. “You don't have to worry about Daysha. I got shit under control.”
“And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“How are you going to navigate in your position? With me getting out of this marriage and being with you, how would that look?”
Noble deliberated for a moment. He didn’t answer to anyone.
Jovanis would likely be in his feelings, but they had an understanding.
If anyone questioned him about his personal life, he would handle it however he saw fit.
The days of battling between being the general and being in love with Irish were gone.
He wasn’t concerned and neither should she have been.
“Don't worry about me. Worry about how I’m about to fuck you all over this room.”
She grinned, biting her bottom lip. “Oh, is that your plan?”
He pulled her on top of him, rubbing her ass through her bikini bottoms.
“You know that’s what I’m on. I need some more of my pumpkin spice.”
Irish slithered her tongue inside his mouth, eliciting his erection to grow.
“I’ll give you unlimited pussy as long as you let me ride you, Papa.”
Rio entered the restaurant, eyes scanning the interior until he spotted her.
He walked over, trying to calm his nerves that had surprisingly made an appearance.
He never thought he’d be on a hunt for a woman that wasn’t Cali.
She had been so engrained in his life that it took more than prayer for her to leave his system.
“Hey,” Rozalin greeted him, wearing a wide grin.
She rose, giving him a friendly hug. She smelled like heaven as she drew back, flashing a dazzling smile at him.
“You look good,” he complimented, noticing that the emerald-green dress was a perfect contrast against her brown skin.
“Thank you,” she gushed, taking a seat.
“Let me sit right there,” he requested.
“Oh, sure.”
They switched seats, giving Rio a better view of the entrance and she sat across from him. He admired her short pixie cut and light makeup that complemented her face well. When the waitress approached, Rio ordered a glass of water and her a margarita.
“So, I had been waiting for your call, but you took too long.” Playfully, she rolled her eyes. “So, I hit you up myself.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’ve been busy.”
“I get it.” She angled her head, smiling from ear to ear. “So, how’s life been after divorce?”
“Peaceful,” he partially lied.
Rio was on the road of peace, but he hadn’t reached the destination because Cali wouldn’t leave his mind. As much as he hated her, he didn’t understand why the ghost of Cali wouldn’t stop haunting him.
“That’s good. I know going through a divorce was not easy.”
“You ever been married?” he changed the subject.
Shaking her head, she confirmed, “No, I unfortunately haven’t.”
He narrowed his eyes. “How old are you?”
Jokingly, she gasped. “You're not supposed to ask a woman her age.”
“Man gone with that shit,” he joked, making her laugh. “How old are you?”
“Okay, okay… I’m thirty-four but my girls make me feel older since they're always teasing me.”
“Thirty-four ain't old though. I’m thirty-five and still feel young.”
“I know but they always say I’m old because I don't do certain shit anymore.”
Rio reclined in his seat. “Like what?”
“Like going to the club every weekend, getting drunk, or staying out until the sun comes up. I’ll step out every blue moon but that’s it.”
“Yeah, that’s that young shit,” he agreed despite his recent trips to the club.
“See, you understand me.” She grinned as he admired her eyes. “But they're younger than me so they don't know that it gets old.”
“Yeah, it does… Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“What you looking for right now? I mean as far as a relationship.”
“Hmm.” She pondered with pursed lips. “I just wanna have fun right now. I don't think I’m on the hunt for anything serious but if it happened, I wouldn’t be opposed to anything.”
Rio was relieved because he couldn’t give Rozalin anything more than conversation, dick, and a few dates. Emotionally, he was still invested in a marriage that was no longer. It pained him to admit it, but it was true.
“Cool, I just wanted to see where your head was at.”
“Why? You don't want anything serious right now?”
“Nah, not now.” He smirked. “But I can’t resist that beautiful smile of yours. How come you ain't wifed up?”
Rozalin flicked her hand dismissively. “We don't have that kind of time. I could write a book on how my dating life has sucked.”
“Yeah, I heard the dating pool is some bullshit.”
“It is.” She rolled her eyes. “But whatever. I guess I’ll just roll with the punches until my Prince Charming comes.”
Rio despised asking the next question, but he had to know. “So, what you think your client will do once she finds out you trying to lock a nigga down?”
Rozalin’s infectious laugh filled the space, causing him to simper. “Lock you down? Oh, please don't flatter yourself.”