Page 79 of Breaking the Rules
“The only thing they can say is they tried to attack a unit that was locked in, and they failed. Whatever plan they devised failed. These bruises don’t mean nothing other than I survived again, so I can have you and Areli again. Let it go.”
Noble pulled in another deep breath. This time, he released it and did it again. “You’re not going to look at me differently?”
“Oh, baby I am. I’m going to look at you like you’re the man who put it all on the line for me because I’m worth that much to you. Day one, you looked at me like I was worth something. For that alone, I’m going to always love you.”
TWENTY-SIX
The door buzzed, signaling Noble to look up from his hands to the door. The inside of this concrete-blocked room was sobering. The sound of the shackles stirred his spirit before Zayden appeared. You would think by the way they had him shackled, he was catching bodies left and right and got caught for it. Noble stood by silently, waiting for the shackles to be removed and the officer to leave.
The heavy metal door slammed, and Noble extended his hand, surprised with Zayden pulled him into a warm CK embrace.
“Keep that formal shit out there. You’re taking care of my sister, we’re family,” Zayden stated before sitting down. “How is she?”
“You should call her. I heard your last conversation didn’t go well, but she misses you. I can see it in her face. Outside of that, she’s as good as expected.”
“Did you handle that nigga?” Zayden questioned with guilt edging his words.
Noble nodded. “He’s been handled.”
“I owe you something for that?” Zayden questioned as Noble lowered himself to the metal seat he occupied previously.
“Her hand. Not ‘cause I slayed a dragon but because I will always slay her dragons. Because that woman makes my heart roar. And if the events three weeks ago didn’t show me anything, it showed me that I can’t breathe without her. And I won’t. Now I’m coming here as a man but know that my mind is already made up. I know, Sassy,” Noble was cut off by Zayden.
“Sassy?”
“Her mouth,” Noble chuckled. “I love that shit. That bark and that bite. I love that she knows who she is and walks in it, talks like it, and works for everything like it. I’m here because she won’t tell me yes without your nod of approval.”
“What if she says no?” Zayden quizzed, wanting to see how dedicated Noble was, as if the body he had on his hands wasn’t enough. It wasn’t. Brixx had several in the name of loyalty, but he was a snake the whole time.
“No don’t exist in the world we created. She can say no tonight and be Mrs. Paulson Jr. in the morning, and that’s going to be what it is,” Noble stated. “Plus, I got her for a cool eighteen.”
Zayden smirked, liking the crazy Noble embodied. His smirk formed into a full-blown smile when he realized what Noble said. “Yo, she’s pregnant?”
“She is. She’s healthy. The baby is healthy. We’re looking forward to this new beginning.”
“What can I say other than my blessing isn’t needed. You two found your way to one another without me in the picture. But I respect your asking. I respect that you came to me like a man, and I respect that you’ll slay her dragons so she can be everything she’s supposed to.”
“I could say the same. You looked after my sister, though y’all could have had some better niggas around you. You looked out for her. No one else did, and I appreciate that.”
Zayden touched his chest and smiled ever so slightly. It was apparent that the thought of Kym was enough to keep him steady, and the gleam was enough to show Noble there was more to it. “Your sister is good people. A great mother. I hate she got caught up in all my shit.”
“The shit was bound to happen, honestly. With me out of town and our pops gone, I’m happy she had a man around to look after her. And I’m sure at times she didn’t want it?”
“At times?” Zayden snorted. “All the time.”
“You get out of here, you get on the straight and narrow, I’ll support whatever y’all started before this. That’s my word, and my word is my bond.”
“Same goes for you. I place Savanhi in your hands. Take care of her. I know life shit happens but respect her always.”
“Already.”
Zayden nodded. “Make sure I get some pictures. I want to see her smile for real.”
“I got you, brother.”
With Zayden’s blessing, the house being staged for Noble’s plans and the bullshit behind him, he got on the road, headed back to their rental. One he couldn’t wait to get out of.
His phone rang out through the speakers of his car. He’d been praying to see that number pop up, and he answered with haste. Ironically, she was calling after he left his meeting with Zayden.
