Page 13 of Breaking the Rules

ELEVEN

“Unc-Unc,” Areli’s soft voice crept into the main bedroom of the JoyBed Noble rented until he got the keys for the house he’d charged Carl with finding in the wake of everything sending him into the spin cycle.

Yes, Sincere opened his home up to them, but a bachelor pad wasn’t any place to have a four-year-old child.

Noble lay in the bed with his hands clasped behind his head.

It’d been two full days of balancing her needs and his new team schedule.

After his team meeting, he took her to the beach and ran behind her for hours before bringing her back.

Areli had been knocked out since seven-thirty, and his mind had been racing since she’d fallen asleep.

At least one of them was remotely rested.

Areli was standing in the doorway with a pink bonnet, pajamas, and a bear he’d picked up earlier.

“Babygirl,” he replied, giving her the go ahead to enter. “Why you not sleepin’?”

“I want mommy,” she whimpered, tossing her teddy bear on the bed and then climbing up to lie down on Noble. Noble adjusted his position to offer her comfort. Hell, he needed the comfort himself. “When is she coming back?”

That was the question he would dread the rest of his life.

A question that urged him to ignore her request and get to the bottom of the bullshit he’d come home to.

His exit from Majestic Heights was child’s play compared to this.

Sure, the way the front office wanted to put him on ice and let him waste away for defending his pride was messed up, but this – nothing compared to it.

Los Oceania was a beautiful city with ugly undertones that he knew all too well.

“She’ll come back later,” Noble replied, rubbing her back. “You know what?”

“What?” she tiredly answered.

“Remi is coming tomorrow to make you chocolate chip pancakes.”

“No more of your proteena ones?” she questioned, quickly forgetting the reason she’d roamed down to the room. “Can she take me to get toys?”

Noble softly chuckled. “Yeah, no more protein ones. I’ll make sure she gets you some more toys. But you have to go to sleep.”

“Can I sleep here?” she asked.

Noble had always been unable to tell her no. Reaching over her head, he grabbed pillows to serve as a barrier before rolling over to his side with her in his arms. “Of course. Don’t kick me.”

“I won’t,” Areli assured, rolling out of his hold and grabbing her teddy bear. Face-to-face, she studied her uncle’s features before softly laying her hand on his cheek. “Love you, Unc-Unc.”

“Love you the most, babygirl.”

“Uh uhhh,” Areli tiredly buzzed.

“Uh huhhh. Dueceyy loves who more?” Noble droned.

“Areli!” she cheered with a wiggle.

“Good. And don’t ever forget it,” he hummed, kissing her forehead. “Sleep land is calling you.”

“You go first,” she rebutted with a yawn.

“Together?” he proposed, prompting the pint-sized human to snuggle closer to him.

He continued to rub her back until they drifted off to sleep. Once her breath lulled, he followed suit.

Morning came, and a soft knock sounded off against the door, simultaneously setting off the chime of the cameras.

The luxury properties owned by JoyBed came with access to security cameras and systems. In light of everything, Noble needed to ensure the safety of Areli above anything else.

Sliding his body from hers, he chuckled softly.

How one child, barely forty-five pounds, could hold him hostage for six hours, he’d never understand.

Assuring his movement didn’t startle her, he tiptoed out of the room, down the hall, and to the front door.

Remi stood on the other side with a large smile and bags full of things.

“You’re like three hours early, aren’t you?” Noble quizzed, letting her in.

“Early crackhead gets the rock or whatever they say,” Remi hummed as she walked past him. “I’m taking it you haven’t checked your phone?”

“Not at all,” Noble grumbled. “I was up most of the night. I had a tiny foot pressed in the middle of my back. The cherry on top, a fist to my nose.”

“Well, good for her. Someone you can’t fight back,” Remi huffed, putting the bags on the couch and placing her hands on her hips.

“Kym has decided to fight her charges. I don’t know why.

I don’t know how, but what I do know is that you need to go meet with her lawyer, drop off whatever, and then get to a team meeting.

I will keep Areli occupied until you get back. ”

Noble filed the information in their rightful folders in his mind so he could tackle one thing at a time. First things first, Areli.

“That’s what all that is for?”

“Clothes, mostly. Dance clothes. I enrolled her in mommy and me classes. I’m not her momma, not trying to be.

But there were slots open, and she needs activities.

Hair stuff because what you sent me a picture of will not work for my girl’s curls.

The county won’t let us get shit out of the house, so Ms. Areli gets a whole new wardrobe. ”

“I’ll JoyCash you. Anything else you buy, use my card,” Noble stated. “What else does she need?”

“To eat three square meals and healthy snacks. Your diet isn’t going to suit hers.”

“I eat good,” Noble defended. “I can have a chef come in and handle that.”

“And until then, I’ll handle it. Your high-protein diet isn’t the same as Dino Nuggies. So I bought some food. When you get back, I’ll have something cooked.”

“If she likes the dance classes, keep her in them. I’ll pay it up for however long. I don’t want her playing soccer or softball.”

“Oh, we know, you’re the only one who can play competitive sports. You almost killed the ref when she played soccer last year,” Remi recalled. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Ashamed? I didn’t do enough to that nigga. He let that little badass girl kick my niece. So the way I see it, kicking his ass seemed to be the only solution. Plus, the ref was her daddy. A little simple assault never hurt nobody. Slappin’ niggas builds character.”

Remi looked up at him and squinted her almond-shaped eyes and puckered her lips up. “There is something wrong with you. Like, there is something up there that just don’t click the way it needs to.”

“Coming from the woman who will beat someone’s ass and then cry about it in the car? Fuck out of here, Remi,” he softly laughed as she flipped him the bird. “We all got a little crazy.”

“And I would appreciate it if you kept yours to a minimum for the rest of your contract.”

“I can’t promise that.”

“Then how about this?” Remi counteroffered. “Leave the women alone. You always choose someone that I have to beat up. Mecole is still owed hands and feet.”

Noble waved the mention of his ex-fiancée’s name off. “We’re going to leave that shit where I deaded it at. You don’t need to worry, I’ll be cool. I got too much shit to maneuver through right now.”

“Uh-huh. I hear what your mouth is saying, but I know you. Anyway, go get ready before Kym changes her damn mind again .”

Noble nodded and took off toward the room where Areli was inching out in search of him. There was terror in her eyes. Post-traumatic stress. Without a word, he scooped her up and kissed her cheek.

“Who you lookin’ for?”

“You, Unc-Unc,” she stated, laying her head on his shoulder. “You left me.”

“I’m never too far away. I got some news for you. Unc-Unc has to go handle some business, so Remi is going to take you to the beach and then…”

Her eyes lit up. Noble knew what she was expecting to hear, but unfortunately, he couldn’t deliver that. “Mommy?”

“Dance class!” he cheered, trying to soothe her disappointment before it appeared.

Her shoulders slumped. “But I really want mommy.”

“I know, babygirl. I want her too, but we have to wait and be patient. Okay?”

“Okay,” Areli whined.

“Let’s go to Remi. She got you so much stuff. It’s crazy, and so is she.”

“Remi isn’t crazy,” Areli defended her mother’s best friend as Noble carried her down the hall. Upon spotting her in the kitchen, Areli continued. “Remmmiiii, Unc-Unc said you were crazy.”

Remi smiled up from the pancake mix and droned. “Tell Deuce it takes crazy to know crazy.”

Areli turned to Noble and said. “It takes a crazy man to know a crazy lady.”

Noble tickled her and sat her down on the kitchen counter. “Remi isn’t a lady, though.”

He moved quickly before Remi could swat at him. “Too damn slow.”

Noble left them in the kitchen in a fit of giggles. Being sure to give Areli some much-needed affection, he gave her a warm squeeze and a triple kiss to the cheek, the same his father did to him and his sister.

“Be good,” he prompted.

“At being bad!” Areli completed with a mouth full of chocolate chip pancakes.

“Aight, Remi,” he started, pulling his card out of his wallet. “Whatever she needs. I’ll holla at y’all.”

With that, Noble was in a JoyRide headed to the lawyer’s office.

Yannes’ office was busy, but nothing out of the norm.

Paralegals and assistants moved about in a rush to assist the attorneys and their cases.

Then there was the faint scent of cherry and shea butter.

He’d made it a day or a few hours without the side effects of Savanhi softness and rejection.

His mind had to be playing tricks on him, either that or Savanhi’s grip was more lethal than he’d expected it to be.

He rubbed his hands on his pants and grunted, trying to rid himself of the memory of what he’d assumed were two drunken encounters. Right before he could give in to his intrusive thoughts and turn around to see if she was anywhere near him, Yannes’ receptionist called his name.

“Mr. Paulson, Mr. Archer is ready for you,” she spoke politely, prompting him to stand and stride behind her.

In Yannes’s office, Noble sat and looked around. That sent stronger than it was before.

“Sorry, I had another client earlier. We ran over. Good news is that Kymber declined the plea and wants her day in court.”

Noble pulled in a deep breath, letting the aroma of sweet and creamy cherry and shea butter. It settled him. Like that night on the beach, her body on his, and again when she danced and denied him. Some damn birthday.

He cleared his throat and mind. Free of the thirst he was developing and the images of her. The woman he couldn’t have – results of the rule he agreed to and obedience to the rules he made for himself.

“Alright, so why the change?” Noble questioned.

“Well, I did some further research, and the sitter she used is the cousin of the supplier. The feds had been watching them since your father was around. According to the discovery, cameras were put up in the café the night before. Yes, she’s guilty of distribution, but trafficking, highly unlikely.

The fifty kilos that were placed in the café weren’t put there by any of the guys they’ve been using. ”

“Then who?” Noble posed.

“The sitter and her cousin before she met your sister at the house. There was an hour window when no one was there. Just those two and another man. I’m using some of my informants to find out who the third man is.

I will handle her case with discretion. I will ensure she gets the least amount of time possible.

I will promise her home before her daughter becomes numb to the reality. ”

Noble nodded in thanks. “What’s your fee?”

“The retainer is handled. If that runs out, I’ll let you know.”

Noble’s face frowned. “Who and how?”

“Someone with a common interest in keeping families together. They asked that we don’t share their information.

I’ll respect that request, just know in your sister’s case, angels exist. I’ll call you with any updates.

I’ve had the judge halt her transfer to the desert, so she’ll be in county until her court date. ”

Noble extended his hand for a firm shake. “I appreciate you, Yannes.”

“We look out for each other. That’s the oath we took.” Yannes subtly motioned to the ruby heart-shaped cuff links.

Noble nodded, sporting a gold chain with a ruby pendant as well. A gift from his late father that he hadn’t taken off since the funeral. He’d always figured his father had a past. Never assumed he was still actively involved up until his death.

“Preciate it.”

“Don’t mention it, just make me some money, I’m betting on the games this week.”

Noble chuckled and headed out, feeling like there was some hope in this present situation for Kymber, but still none for himself.

For now, he’d practice and spend as much time with Areli as he could before hitting the road.

His mission when he got back, secure a house, a car, and lock in and accept his new normal.

There wouldn’t be time or space for anything else, and he accepted that.