“Not good. Zayd had to take over for him.”
Wilde’s eyes turned into slits without warning. That was the thing about the St. Anthony Family. They had the warmest eyes until anger made an entrance and turned them into demon orbs.
“Zayd?” Wilde questioned. “You gave that nigga the job over me?”
“Calm down,” Nuke warned.
“Yeah, before you piss me off,” Noble added, angling his head.
Exhaling and swallowing deep, Wilde asked, “So, you ain't even think about me, bro? You just gave it to Zayd without him proving himself.”
Vic chuckled. “My man, you ain't been around to prove yourself. How you gon’ say some shit like that?”
Every part of Noble wanted to pass this position down to Wilde, but he had no discipline. Life was actually an amusement park for him. Meanwhile, Zayd showed up and took his role seriously. There was a two-year age difference between the two, but Wilde didn’t hold a candle to Zayd.
“If you been around, you would see that Zayd been stepping up way more than your flaky ass. You too busy chasing pussy and trying to stunt. You already know how I’m coming about this shit. You either earn it or get left in the fucking dust. The decision is yours, my nigga.”
Wilde’s jaw tensed as he glared at Noble. This could go very bad, considering they both possessed menacing tempers. Noble being the oldest sibling could control himself while Wilde had no self-control.
“Fuck it. You right.” He sighed, sitting back in the chair. “I’ve been slippin’ but I’m ready to get back on my post.”
Noble smirked, not quite buying his speech. He was a show-don't-tell-type of man, and Wilde would have to make him a believer.
“Nuke will get you right.”
Noble glanced down at his vibrating phone, remembering he was supposed to text Irish to cancel.
Irish: Send me the location.
This was the perfect time to cancel their plans, but his interest wouldn’t allow him to do it. Noble texted her the location then stood.
“I gotta make a move. I’ll holla at y’all.”
They said their goodbyes before Noble got inside his truck and drove downtown. Drake’sPoundcakewas the soundtrack for this particular ride. Noble pondered his position,wondering which road it would lead him to. If he was smart, he’d take the exit and avoid Irish. Noble had always been intelligent but damn, she made his decision-making so difficult. There was this yearning for her that he’d been nursing ever since he laid eyes on her. When she wasn’t in his view, he could manage his desire, but when she popped up, peering at him with those earthy eyes, Noble felt a weakness. It was one he hadn’t possessed since his first love. That puppy love had him by the balls but at age thirty-three, this was something he couldn’t explain.
Noble drove into the lot, got out the truck, and passed his key to the valet. He then stepped inside and paused his stride when he noticed a pair of toasted brown legs on ample display. His gaze started from her pedicured toes then stopped at her ass that was barely covered in her shorts. Irish turned her head, uniting her eyes with his.
Damn…
This pumpkin spice woman locked his attention whenever she was in his view. There were no words spoken. Just intense eye fucking until Noble walked to the elevator. Irish followed suit and boarded on with him. As soon as the doors closed, he grabbed her soft hand and pulled her toward him. A scent comprised of bergamot and ginger swarmed his nose as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Yo’ ass flew here, huh?”
Twisting her lips, she retorted, “Flew here is a stretch. I drove at regular speed.”
I’m projecting, baby. It was me who flew here…
“Yeah, a’ight,” he murmured just as the doors chimed open. Wanting privacy, Noble invited her to his condo that was in the city. If anything, ever went south with them, he knew she’dnever be able to come up without access. His forever home was in the suburbs and since that was where he mainly stayed with Kenji, Noble wasn’t ready to take Irish there.
“Hmm, it’s nice and clean in here,” she noted, looking at the pristine condo that was kept in tiptop shape.
“So, you think I’m a dirty nigga?”
Tittering, she answered, “No, I don't.”
This condo was barely occupied by Noble so there wasn’t much to clean when his cleaning lady did come by.
“You want a drink?”
