Chapter 2 #2
Noble’s eyebrows furrowed, instantly. “Fuck you mean you think?”
“I couldn’t stay ‘cause a nigga had warrants. I waited in the lot across the street and saw them putting her into an ambulance. Her hand was bleeding when I checked on her.”
Noble got in the truck without saying another word. Knowing Irish had gotten hurt incited an anger that he could barely contain. The entire city would pay for her being shot at. He didn’t give a fuck who it was. St. Parklynn would see red until further notice.
Cali rushed down the hall, following the nurse with Bria right behind her.
The emergency room was packed with the sickly but when she asked for Irish, she was instantly taken to the back.
The curtain was pulled back, exposing Irish, who sat in the bed.
Her eyes held so much pain that Cali’s eyes watered without warning.
“Oh, friend.” She rushed toward her. “Are you okay?”
Irish shook her head, looking down at her hand that was stitched up.
“He’s gone,” she whispered, shaking her head. “They killed him in front of me.”
Bria approached the other side of Irish, resting her hand on her shoulder. “Did you see who it was?”
Irish shook her head once more as tears painted her reddened cheeks. “I don't know who it was. They tried to kill me, too. I ran and was so scared.” She looked at Cali. “Can you call Noble? I need him right now.”
“Yeah, I’ll call him for you.”
Cali pulled her phone out of her pocket and stepped into the hall. Searching her contacts for Noble’s number, she heard heavy footsteps echoing through the hallway. When she looked up, she noticed Noble along with Wilde, Zayd, and Nuke on the side of him.
“Hey, I was just about to call you.”
Noble’s jaw was clenched tightly.
“She’s in here.”
Noble entered the room. He and Irish locked eyes, and she immediately broke out in tears.
“It’s okay,” he assured, hugging her tightly. “I’m here.”
“They tried to kill me,” she sobbed, making Cali’s tears fall.
Seeing her friend in pain was so gut wrenching that Cali clutched her belly. Irish had always been the strong one who held everyone down when they needed it. Witnessing her be so emotionally wounded was a scene Cali wished she didn’t have to be a part of.
“Listen.” Noble held her face in his hands. “I’m going to take care of everything. Don't worry.”
“What if they come back for me?” she asked.
“They won’t, I swear I’ma handle this shit… I’m sorry about Jovanis,” he sincerely said. “I know how much he meant to you.”
That caused Irish to cry harder as Noble pulled her to his chest. Bria walked over to Cali, who stood near the curtain.
“This is so sad. Was Jovanis her husband?” Bria quietly asked.
Cali nodded, clasping her hands near her mouth. So much despair in one night. How would Irish move on without Jovanis? How would she cope with a loss that significant? Cali knew it would take time but she was fearful of how long Irish would be submerged in grief.
“Were you with her?” Wilde asked Cali.
Shaking her head, she confirmed, “No, I was at a beach party. I found out what happened through Rio.”
Saying his name brought forth memories of him kissing Rozalin. Cali quickly nixed that reality for the sake of Irish.
“Damn, I can’t believe somebody caught Van slippin’ like that,” Wilde complained. “You think it was bro?” he asked Zayd in a low tone.
Zayd smacked his lips. “Man, hell nah. He wouldn’t do that shit in front of her,” he referred to Irish.
“You remember he said if Van come up dead that it was him,” Wilde harshly whispered.
“Man, shut that shit up,” Nuke added in a low voice. “That nigga Noble ain't sloppy like that. He wouldn’t put his girl in harm’s way.”
While they continued their side conversation, Noble kissed the top of Irish’s head as she whimpered.
Cali had never been a witness to their love affair.
She’d only heard tidbits from Irish here and there.
Now that she was able to see them in their form, she knew their love was authentic.
Noble was a hardbody, who never showed emotion.
Nobody got anything out of him yet here he was, consoling Irish with a love that seemed so pure.
Despite the circumstances, it was endearing to observe.
Noble pulled Irish’s head back so she could look him in the eye. “I have to go make some moves. I want you to go to my condo. I’ll have somebody guarding the building for you.”
Irish nodded and closed her eyes.
“Aye, Cali, you think you can sit with her for me?”
“Of course. I’m here.”
He nodded. “A’ight, I gotta go.” Noble swiped a few sheets of tissue from the box and cleaned Irish’s face. Afterward, he kissed her softly on the lips before giving her cheeks a quick smooch. “I’ll see you at the condo.”
“Okay,” she mumbled, and he kissed her again.
Noble stalked out the room with his family right behind him. The nurse came back inside with discharge papers and instructions on how to care for Irish’s cut.
“Bria, we’ll just ride home with you so I can get in my car and go to Noble’s condo with Irish.”
“Okay.”
Cali helped Irish out of the bed and held her uninjured hand. “I swear we’re going to get through this together, Irish. You're not in this alone.”
Irish sniffled as her gaze cast down to the white tile. “I don't think I’ll ever get through this, Cali. This will forever change me.”
The pain in her voice was enough to take Cali’s breath away. Deep down, Cali was aware that the Irish she once knew was gone and never coming back.
Rio’s leg bounced while every TLM member filled the room.
News had traveled fast about Jovanis’ murder, leaving everyone stunned.
Noble had called a meeting, which he rarely did.
There was a chain of command in the organization.
Noble was undoubtedly untouchable to members other than the lieutenants.
If he needed to get a message to the lower tier members, he’d send one of the lieutenants.
Rio couldn’t help but be conflicted, though.
Ever since he got the call that Jovanis had been gunned down at the beach, he couldn’t help but think Noble was the culprit.
He and Jovanis clearly had beef that stemmed from Noble’s affair with Irish.
Not only was their beef tensed but Noble’s last words from that day couldn’t be ignored.
If this nigga come up dead, I want y’all to know it was me…
Rio attempted to shake the feeling off but he couldn’t. Had Noble killed Jovanis so he could be with Irish? Was their love affair that serious that he needed to eliminate the man in his way? Rio was stumped, wishing he knew all the answers.
His phone rang, diverting his attention. He looked at the screen and sighed when he saw Rozalin’s name. He had temporarily forgotten about the beat down Cali had put on her. The shit was brutal. Rozalin didn’t stand a chance against his ex-wife.
“Hello?”
“DuRio, what the fuck?” she ranted, immediately. “How could you just leave me like that?”
Guilt visited him but he didn’t invite it inside his psyche. His dawg had been murdered so he didn’t have room for Rozalin at the moment. She had every right to be angered but Rio had more pressing matters to tend to.
“Look, my bad. I just found out that my pot’na was killed. I ain't mean to leave you but I had to go.”
“Why would you let that bitch Cali attack me like that?”
Rio’s brows pinched. “I didn’t. I’m the one that got her off you.”
She smacked her lips. “I’m pressing charges against her ass, too.”
“Nah, don't do that.”
“What do you mean?” she screeched. “You should see my face. I’m not gonna be able to go back to work for weeks. I look like shit.”
“I get that but involving the police is going to make shit worse. Don't do it.”
“So, I’m supposed to let her get away with attacking me? My eye is swollen, DuRio. She needs to pay.”
Rio understood her sentiments but he didn’t deal with the police at all. Nothing about getting Cali arrested seemed plausible to him. Yes, she had attacked Rozalin and no, it wasn’t right. However, she should've known that going behind Cali’s back would lead to some kind of altercation.
“Look, I don't fuck with the law. I also don't deal with people who fuck with the police. I know you got fucked up, and I’m sorry that happened, but Cali will make your life hell if you get her arrested.”
He could only imagine the shit show that would transpire if Cali had to go to jail behind him. He was certain Douglas would get involved and cause a bigger issue.
“You're unbelievable, you know that? It’s not fair that I have to walk around like this when you're untouched. I don't owe that bitch shit. We both pursued each other.”
“Nah, we didn’t,” Rio disagreed. “You step to me, remember?”
“But you didn’t stop yourself from indulging. She should've taken her issues up with you. I don't owe her any loyalty.”
“And neither do I,” he argued, not feeling confident in his statement.
Truthfully, Rio couldn’t shake Cali’s words from the parking lot. They were filled with so much venom that Rio felt as if he had been bitten. He was so unsettled while traveling back in his reverie, trying to see where he had gone wrong.
Noble walked in with Zayd, Wilde, and Nuke behind him. All chatter ceased as he made his way to the head of the table.
“I gotta go. I’ll call you once I’m done.”
“DuRio, wait—”
He ended the call and stood. Noble pulled at the hairs on his chin while in deep thought. Everyone waited on bated breath, wondering what his first words would be.
“One of our own was killed tonight,” he began. “Somebody murked Van at the park, and I need to know who did it.”
Rio watched Noble, trying to search for any signs of deception.
“I heard it might be those Saint City Boys,” one person said.
Noble sucked his teeth. “What would be the motive?”
The guy shrugged. “Shit, I don't know. Those niggas had been talking shit for a while so maybe they made a move.”
“Man,” Wilde drawled. “Those niggas know what’s up. They ain't stupid.”