Chapter 16
Sixteen
Two weeks…
That’s how long it had been since Noble had heard from his Pumpkin.
The thought of not talking to her for fourteen days was almost nauseating.
He didn’t think he would be that affected from their lack of communication, but he was, and he loathed it.
After their last phone call, Noble decided not to reach out to Irish, and she didn’t try to contact him either.
He was offended by her choice to ignore him because she was with Jovanis.
Yes, they were married but he reigned supreme in her life.
At least he thought he did. Her pushing him to the side was an offense that he couldn’t swallow at the time.
However, after three days, Noble missed the fuck out of Irish.
So, he reached out only to learn he had been blocked.
Never in his thirty-three years of living had Noble been blocked by a woman.
Daysha hadn’t even done that, so he was appalled Irish had the nerve to restrict him.
Since he had too much pride, Noble let it be until he couldn’t get rid of her scent from his nose.
The memories of her touch invaded his mind and looking at the countless pictures he had collected of her over the months were like a daily ritual.
He missed everything about Irish and because of their situation, he couldn’t pull up on her like he wanted to.
Noble was frustrated. On top of that, Kenji had gone to Tennessee to see his grandparents. He missed his son so much and was tempted to renege on the plan he and Daysha had made. Above all, Noble was a man of his word, so he refrained.
“What’s up, nigga?”
Noble clocked out of his thoughts and shook Jovanis’ hand. They were all at The Black Bar, having a meeting in the private room. Jovanis went over to greet Nuke while Wilde and Zayd walked inside.
“Niggas got us meeting here like we in The Godfather and shit,” Wilde joked.
Noble shook both of his brothers’ hands before they all took a seat.
The crazy part about Noble’s life was no matter what kind of mental state he was in, business had to go on.
There were no personal days or times where he could just abandon his position.
No matter what, he had to show up even though he was missing his two favorite people.
Cracking his knuckles, Noble asked, “So, what’s the word?”
“I got some new clients,” Zayd announced.
“We got some new clients,” Wilde corrected him. “You act like I wasn’t there.”
Zayd gave him a lazy eye roll before he resumed his words, “Me and Wilde went to this industry party and got some new clients. I secured the fucking deal though because this nigga was too busy chasing pussy. Per usual.”
Wilde smirked. “You hate that I’m the brother that get the most bitches, huh?”
“Here this nigga go.” Jovanis smirked.
“Focus,” Noble stated. “Now, are the clients legit?”
Zayd bobbed his head. “Yeah, they legit.”
“That’s good.” Noble swiped his hand over his mouth. “I think that nigga, Rio, is coming back soon. I’ma go holla at him and see if he’s ready.”
“My boy ready,” Jovanis added. “He’s back to normal.”
“Yeah, nigga so you can give up that seat acting like you big dawg now,” Wilde teased Zayd.
“It was supposed to be you handling it but you ain't never on your shit.” Noble snorted.
“Man, I’ve been on my shit lately,” Wilde argued. “Give a nigga his credit.”
“Yeah, he’s been focused lately,” Nuke added.
“I don't want you to have to get cursed the fuck out for you to be on your shit. You need to stay on it and be disciplined, nigga.”
Wilde sighed then bobbed his head. “Yeah, a’ight. I hear you, bro.”
“What else y’all got?” Noble asked.
“It’s a problem with the shipment,” Jovanis announced.
Noble’s forehead creased. “What kind of problem?”
“We can’t get it here until they work out the issues with the company. It was a raid and because they don't want to move nothing too soon, everything on pause.”
“Fuck,” Noble mumbled, knowing the delay would affect their business. “How much we got now?”
“We got some but it’s not enough to hold us over… but I was thinking we could use your company to get the shit to us.”
Noble’s brows furrowed in confusion. “What company?”
“Your logistics company. Don't you have trucks and shit?” Jovanis asked.
“Oh, yeah,” Wilde added. “Aye, we can use your trucks to pick the shit up.”
Without giving it a second thought, Noble shook his head. “Hell nah.”
“Why not? Our problem would be solved just like that.” Jovanis snapped his fingers.
What they failed to realize was that this position in TLM wasn’t permanent. It was a temporary status with hopes of him moving back into the legal side of things. Noble refused to mix TLM business with his personal one. Like cocaine from Bolivia, he wanted it pure and untouched.
“I can’t do it.”
Wilde sucked his teeth. “You acting weak as fuck.”
“Right,” Jovanis agreed. “It’s only one time.”
“It ain't just one time!” Noble snapped, his dark gaze cutting into Wilde and Jovanis. “If I do this, then the next time it’s a problem with shipment, y’all gon’ look to me to get it done. Fuck no.”
“What the fuck, Noble?” Jovanis flicked his hand in a frustrated manner. “You ‘posed to be the nigga that get shit done.”
“No, mothafucka! That would be you,” he retorted. “This your fucking problem, so solve it, nigga.”
“What you think I’m trying to do?” Jovanis rubbed his forehead.
“Aye, we can find another way,” Zayd offered. “It ain't that fucking serious.”
“Tuck would’ve handled that shit,” Jovanis snarled. “No questions asked.”
Noble snapped his head toward him, appalled that he had compared him to Tuck.
“You talkin’ about the same Tuck that’s sitting in jail right now? The nigga who let all these fucking rats come in and fuck up the organization? That’s the Tuck you talkin’ about?”
Jovanis snorted. “That nigga handled shit when it came down to it.”
“He didn’t handle a mothafuckin’ thing. That’s why I had to come clean this shit up and get rid of the niggas who was snitchin’. Don't ever in your life bring up a man who can’t do shit for you now. The fuck you thought!”
Noble and Jovanis were suddenly in a standoff with their eyes. Jovanis had crossed the line. Not only with the comparison between him and Tuck but being in the way of him and Irish.
“So, now what?” Jovanis challenged him.
“Shit, you tell me.”
He scoffed. “Bruh, I ain’t scared of you.”
Noble’s sinister smirk emerged suddenly. “You don't gotta be scared but you gotta be ready ‘cause you won’t ever see me coming.”
“Man, y’all niggas doing too much,” Wilde complained. “We’ll find another way to get that shit to us.”
Jovanis snorted a chuckle. “Sound like you mad about something else, nigga. Get that shit off your mind.”
I’m mad that you standing between me and my fucking girl…
“I just did, now figure out how to get that shit here ‘cause my company won’t be it.”
Jovanis nodded. “Heard you, nigga.”
He got up and walked out of the room. As soon as he left, Wilde sucked his teeth.
“You know you could’ve let us use your trucks. You be acting so fucking weak sometimes, Noble.”
“Wilde, do me a favor and shut the fuck up. You don't tell me how to run my shit, nigga. As a matter of fact, you ain't even qualified.”
Zayd whistled, immediately drawing Wilde’s attention.
“Fuck you whistling for? Just be ready to give up that fucking seat ‘cause Rio on his way back.”
Wilde rose from his chair and exited the room. Noble sat back in his seat, relaxing his tensed muscles with a deep exhale. He was stressed and the only remedy that could fix his attitude was Irish.
“You good? I thought you was ‘bout to pull out Ms. Pearly,” Zayd joked, referring to his beloved Glock.
“He ain't worth my bitch. I’d definitely smack the shit outta him though, talkin’ about some Tuck. Like that nigga was a good leader.”
“Facts,” Nuke chimed in.
Noble glanced at his Cartier watch. “I gotta make a move. I’ll holla at y’all later.”
They shook hands and exchanged a brotherly hug before Noble left the restaurant.
Irish pulled in front of the house and parked. Getting out, she rounded the car and opened the back door. Grabbing the pan of lasagna, she ambled along the walkway and approached the front door. Pressing the doorbell, she looked around the neighborhood before she heard the door open.
“Ooh, is that what I think it is?” Cali gasped.
Grinning, Irish nodded. “You’ve been begging for my lasagna, and I finally made it.”
“You really are the best friend ever. Come on in.”
Cali held the door open as Irish entered the home. The smell of lemon seeped into her nose as she walked down the hall. Hearing voices coming from the living area, she looked to her left and noticed Rio sitting in the recliner. He looked healthy with a fresh lining.
“What you got?” He grinned at her.
“A lasagna.”
“You the goat,” he joked. “‘Cause you know your homegirl can’t cook.”
Cali smacked her lips. “Don't front me off, especially when I’ve been making sure you have a meal.”
“Yeah, you right. You been ordering the shit outta some takeout, baby.”
Irish laughed and continued toward the kitchen. Noticing another figure, she looked behind her and almost dropped the pan on the ground.
Oh shit…
Noble met her gaze with his intense eyes, prompting her to swallow hard.
Why did he have to look so damn good despite her being mad at him?
His black collar shirt was unbuttoned at the top, providing a peek of the tattoos Irish loved licking on.
His black slacks and hard bottom shoes showcased the grown man in him.
She loved how Noble switched from street clothes to a suit.
Why does he look so sexy…
Despite the wetness in her panties, Irish didn’t say a word to him. Instead, she followed Cali to the kitchen and placed the pan on the stove.
“What’s he doing here?” she asked, referring to Noble.
“Girl, he came to talk to Rio. He’s about to get back to work.” She rolled her eyes.
Irish smiled. “You don't want him to go?”