Epilogue #2
“You good?” Zayd asked.
Chuckling, Noble answered, “Yeah, why you ask me that?”
“Because I gotta make sure.”
“I just wanted to holla at you…” Noble paused for a moment. “I think it’s time for you to step up.”
Zayd’s thick brows hiked on his face. “You serious?”
Noble nodded with confidence. Zayd had been a constant reliable lieutenant in TLM.
He had the respect from the soldiers and carried himself in a way that mirrored Noble.
He hadn’t been mixy. He didn’t do crowds, and he wasn’t a person everyone could get in contact with.
Noble had taught his brother well and was ready to put what he’d learned to the test.
“The time has come, Zayd. I’m done with this shit. I actually stuck around longer than I should have. I got my companies now and I’m making bank. I wanna be with my family and be present for them. I talked to Rio and he agrees that you're ready. Even Wilde said he respect my decision.”
Zayd narrowed his eyes. “You sure that nigga ain't telling you what he think you wanna hear?”
“No.” Noble laughed. “He been on his shit. I think he understands that you're the better man for the role.”
Zayd nodded. “A’ight. I’m with it.”
“You sure? ‘Cause this shit ain't no joke. I know I make it look easy but it ain't. It’s always something that needs to be handled. Sometimes, you gotta make hard decisions that won’t be beneficial to you. Being the general ain't fun.”
“Yeah, I know, bro. I can handle it.”
Noble felt good about passing his role over to Zayd. He was smart, made moves with intellect, and didn’t like attention. He would be a good successor.
“I believe in you.”
They shook hands then embraced with a brotherly hug.
“You know if you ever need me, I’m here.”
Zayd bobbed his head. “You always got me bro, which is why I’ll always have your back.”
Irish, Ivory, and Isley were in the kitchen when Cali, Rio, and Cairo made their entrance. They were coordinated in red, looking like a stunning unit.
“Is that TT baby!” Cali yelled just as Isley ran into her arms. “You know I got you some good gifts.”
Isley grinned. “I want crayons. Is it crayons?”
Ivory sucked her teeth. “She always requests the weirdest shit for gifts.”
Irish playfully slapped her arm. “Leave my baby alone.”
Rio pinched Isley’s cheek while Cairo was in his arms. “Yeah, let my girl get whatever she wants.”
Seconds passed by and Wilde walked into the kitchen. His eyes were low and reddened, giving away how high he must've been.
“Wilde, why you always gotta be the one that arrives late?” Irish jested.
“You know a nigga like me be busy, sis.” He turned and stared at Ivory.
She shifted uncomfortably like she always did when he openly gazed at her.
Within the last three years, Ivory did her best to avoid Zayd and now she found herself doing it with Wilde.
They only saw each other for holidays and birthdays, which wasn’t often.
Yet, she still wasn’t comfortable around either of them.
“Come on, y’all. Let’s go outside because the food is almost done.” Irish headed toward the patio door.
Ivory prepared to trail behind until Wilde stepped in front of her. He smelled of cologne and marijuana as he engulfed her with his eyes. He was a beautiful man in a rugged kind of way. The gold slugs on his bottom teeth heightened his sex appeal.
“I want you.”
Ivory had to blink several times to confirm that this was a reality and not a daydream. Wilde was so open with his demand. There was no nervousness or hesitancy. Just him and his pensive stare.
Does he not know I’ve been with his brother before?
“Uh, okay,” she replied, not knowing what to say.
“So when you gon’ make that shit happen?” He angled his head.
Taking a step back to place some distance between them, Ivory replied, “We’re family. Did you forget that?”
Wilde shook his head. “Nah, we ain't shit. I’m family with your sister but you.” He eyed her frame then swiped his tongue against his lips. “You can be mine if you want.”
Ivory laughed, finding his banter humorous. “You can’t be serious.”
“I don't play about shit like this. I want you, now what you gon’ do to give me what I want?”
Ivory felt as if she had lost her voice. Where was it? Why was this man’s aura contaminating her like a deadly bacteria? It spread over her body, causing her middle to pulsate.
Wilde chuckled then cupped her chin with his thumb and index finger. “I can see you ain't prepared for a nigga like me. When you realize I ain't playing, hit me up. Your sister got my number.”
Without warning, Wilde pressed his lips against Ivory’s. Her pulse quickened as her mind registered what was happening. Before she could process it fully, Wilde broke the kiss and walked out of the house. Ivory stood for a moment stumped by his sudden affection.
“What the hell was that?” she whispered to herself.
Ivory had done some hoe shit in her life but never had she been with two brothers. Two fine-ass brothers that were paid and ran the streets of St. Parklynn.
“Just keep your distance, Ivory. Don't fall for the trap,” she coached herself.
But her body was on another chapter and Wilde was the header.
Ivory was tempted but this could cause drama within the family.
She couldn’t come between two brothers and since she wanted to keep the peace, Ivory nixed the idea.
Again, the seat of her panties displayed different feelings about Wilde but she knew not taking the bait was smart.
“No, I can’t do that,” she told herself.
The end.