My Rib

I’ve always been sort of shy around Noah. He’s huge and can be intimidating in size alone. Although, in the last few months I’ve learned that he is just a big old teddy bear.

He is so gentle and thorough in his teaching. I feel so much more confident than when we first started. I was scared to touch a gun before.

Now, I’m standing here, aiming at the target with nothing but determination and focus. I inhale and pull the trigger. With each shot I tear right through the target like Noah instructed me.

When the clip is empty, I nearly burst with excitement. I made all the kill shots just as he asked me to. I think I’m addicted to this.

I put the gun on safety and place it down. Removing my headgear, I do a little shimmy. Not only do I know how I’m going to write this into my book, I can actual shoot a gun.

“That was awesome, Kaye,” Noah croons, holding up a hand for me to give him five.

“Thanks,” I squeal, throwing my arms around his waist instead. “You’ve been so amazing. I had only planned to learn the mechanics. This was so much more than I could have hoped for.”

“You’re welcome. You’re my brother’s girl. We’ll always be there to protect you, but when we can’t be there, it’s my job to make sure you ladies can handle yourselves,” he replies.

“Yeah, I’m still debating on the self-defensive lessons. You still scare me a little,” I admit with a giggle.

“If you can learn to take me, you can take anyone. Nellie and Bean have learned how to take a guy my size down without batting a lash. You’re in good hands. I’ll go easy,” he chuckles.

“Still thinking,” I chime.

“Okay,” he says with a twinkle in his eyes. “I have something for you though.”

I watch him as he walks over to one of the closets at the back of the range in the basement of the firm. The door to the range is slightly opened. Now that I’m not shooting, I can hear the sound of someone in the gym a few doors down where the boxing ring is.

“What’s this?” I ask when he hands me a gift-wrapped box.

“Something you’ve earned,” he says.

I move back to my station to place the box down and open it. Inside is a silver case. When I open the case, I find a gun nestled within.

“Don’t worry. It’s registered to you. Felix already set up a lockbox in the house,” Noah says from behind me.

“It’s gorgeous,” I say as I run my hand over the top of the cold metal. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” he replies. “Felix texted for you to meet him in the gym when you’re done. My girl is on her way down, I’m about to head out for a date. You need anything else before I’m gone?”

“No, I think I’m good. Thanks again, Noah. You’ve given me so much to use for my book. I appreciate everything you’ve done,” I say, wrapping my arms around him again.

A throat clears, pulling both of our attention. I turn to see Bean standing in the doorway. I remember her from school. Like Nellie, I never had much interaction with her.

The way she’s looking at me now, I don’t think that’s about to change. I go to step away from Noah, but he wraps an arm around my shoulder, tugging me into his side. Bean’s eyes narrow on his limb embracing me.

“Rebecca, you know Kaye don’t you? You guys were in the same grade right?” Noah says.

Bean’s eyes bounce over my face. Recognition doesn’t register right away. I tell myself not to fidget. I’d probably be pissed if I walked in on Felix hugging someone else I don’t know or remember.

“Danny’s sister,” Noah continues trying to jog her memory. “She used to be with Felix a lot.”

Her face lights up this time seemingly connecting the dots. My shoulders relax in relief. Noah is very handsome, but I have the Black brother that I’ve wanted all my life. Bean doesn’t have to worry about me.

“Hey,” she says, with a small wave.

“Hey,” I wave back.

Noah releases me to walk over to Bean. He wraps an arm around her waist, drawing her into him. He leans into her ear to whisper something to her.

They are a beautiful couple. I watch Bean’s lashes lower and her cheek start to glow. When her eyes turn to Noah, I can see so much want in her gaze.

My brain starts to work, my hands itch to get to my laptop. Noah and Bean have just become my muse. I start to plot and plan their story.

“Kaye. Kaye?” Noah’s voice pulls me back to the present.

My eyes come into focus. I see Noah and Bean looking at me expectantly. I start to fidget with the hem of my shirt. I have no idea what was said to me. This happens all the time.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

Noah chuckles. “Did we just become a book?”

I blush harder. I’m going to get Felix. He must have told Noah about me zoning out when I’m writing a book in my head.

“Um, I—”

“Really? Nellie mentioned you write novels,” Bean says.

“Wait, I thought you didn’t know who she was,” Noah says, his brows drawing.

“I never said that,” Bean says shrugging her shoulders.

Noah gives a hearty laugh, wrapping both arms around her shoulders and pulling her into his embrace. He looks at me over Bean’s head with mirth in his eyes. Yeah, we both know this is all totally going in a book.

“I was asking if you think you and Felix want to join us,” Noah says.

“Oh, I don’t think I can. I have to pick up Dashawn soon,” I reply looking down at my watch.

“It would be cool to meet the little guy. Felix says he’s quite popular and has a great social life,” Noah teases.

“He does. Better than mine. He gets invited everywhere,” I say and roll my eyes.

“Well, when he can fit some time into his busy little schedule, we’d all like to get to know him. I can see how much the two of you mean to Felix,” Noah replies.

“If you know how much she means to me, why are you holding her up? You told me you guys were done fifteen minutes ago,” a shirtless, sweat drenched Felix says from the doorway.

“Dude, aren’t you supposed to be sparring?” Noah chuckles.

“I couldn’t focus,” Felix grumbles, training his eyes on me as he moves across the room.

“I bet,” Noah laughs.

Felix flips him off, stopping in front of me. He places his forehead to mine. His wet, sweaty hair sticking to my face now.

“Hey,” he breaths.

“Hi,” I whisper back.

He takes my lips as soon as the word is out of my mouth. I cling to his wet skin, not caring that he’s dripping all over me. We’ve both been super busy. I miss him.

“Yeah, that’s love. He’s all gross,” Bean giggles.

“Like you haven’t climbed all over my sweaty ass a time or two,” Noah tosses back.

I laugh into Felix’s mouth. He pulls away, rolling his eyes at the other two in the room. I lift on my toes to peck his lips once more.

“You guys should come over this weekend,” Noah offers.

“Can’t. I got saddled with surveillance this weekend,” Felix huffs.

“A new schedule is up?”

“Yeah, Heather plugged in some new shit an hour ago.”

“Alright, the door is open. I’m heading out,” Noah replies, slapping Bean’s ass. “Let’s go sexy. I think you need to have a seat for a few hours as a reminder…”

He leaves the end of his sentence open, but I get the feeling Bean finishes it in her head from the look on her face. I make more mental notes for my book. I’m lost in my head again when Felix’s words pull my attention.

“Come get a tat with me,” he says.

I turn to him with my brows knit. He can’t be serious. I’m scared of a simple needle.

“I think you were hit upside the head,” I say.

“Maybe,” he says and shrugs. He pulls me into is embrace. “Besides, I said come with me. Not get one.”

“Oh, okay. That’s different. I have to go pick up Dae-Dae,” I reply.

“Your parents can watch him,” he murmurs.

“They had him last weekend. I don’t want to keep bothering them,” I reply.

“They’re his grandparents. Let them spend time with him. You need a break,” he says.

I narrow my eyes at him. He’s not fooling me. He has been talking me into taking Dae-Dae to my parents more often. He cuts my words off before I can point it out.

“You’ve been going none stop. You have the new book in the works. That reader from the book tour calls all the time with updates and whatever—”

“Oh my God. You noticed that too,” I groan. “Half the time I don’t know what she’s rambling about. How many times do I have to say I don’t know these people or I just don’t care. How do you know everyone’s business? Like seriously!”

Felix laughs. “Yeah, something is off about that. Are you sure you still want to do that event?”

“I don’t know,” I pout.

“Are Dean and Kia doing it?”

“No,” I huff. “Neither of them have heard of her before either. Dean knows a lot of readers and authors. This one seemed so nice at first. I let her read a couple of chapters for this book to give a little feedback and it’s gone downhill from there.”

Felix’s brows knit. I can see the wheels turning and his hackles going up. This man doesn’t play with my safety.

“What did you say her name is again?”

“Bonnie something. I have to look in my inbox,” I answer.

“Where does she live?”

“Georgia, no, wait, Florida or something. I can’t remember,” I say, trying to think. “I promise you. I honestly don’t listen to her.”

“Yeah, I know that. I can see when your ass zones out on her,” he shakes his head at me.

“I can’t help it. Books are always talking. People that know me well, know to just let me be by now.”

“Very true. So, about this tat,” he says, running his nose against my temple.

“What are you getting?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Fine.”

“Awesome, I already had your mom pick up Dae-Dae,” he says and takes off running.

“I’m going to hurt you,” I call after him.

I turn to clean up my space. After putting things away, I lift my gift from Noah. The weight of the box reminding me of what’s inside.

Felix is lucky I don’t pop him in his butt.

I giggle to myself and start after him. Target practice will be the only time I ever use this thing. I couldn’t hurt a fly. Just think, I totally failed at flogging someone.

Felix

“Felix, is that—” Kaye gasps when the artist pulls the stencil away.

“Yeah,” I say, watching her face for her reaction.

Her eyes fill with tears. She reaches shaky fingers out, but pulls them back before they touch my skin. Those full lips tremble and I just want to kiss her.

“I can’t let you do that,” she whispers.

“You’re not letting me,” I say with a shrug.

“Felix, it’s so sweet but you can’t,” she retorts.

“Baby, I’m not asking you.”

“Why would you want a picture of us drawn on your body?” she chokes out.

“Because you and Dashawn are everything to me,” I answer truthfully. “Besides, in a way, you’re already on my body.”

“Huh,” she knits her brows.

I point to my already tatted side. Her brows draw with more confusion. I wave her over to follow me as I hop on the table.

“I got shitfaced the night I found out about your brother’s car accident. I was supposed to be with them that night. I had so much guilt and shit going on in my head.

“My brothers were there to get me through it. I know I wouldn’t have made it without them. We decided to get the tats so we’d be able to find each other in any life. This world or the after, something like that.

“I was so drunk, I’m surprised I remember that part. I do remember picking my side. All my drunken mind could think about was Danny asking me to look after you.

“I knew then, like I know now, I would always protect you. He never had to ask me. Almost four years ago, drunk out of my fucking mind, I still knew you were my other half.

“A part of me, just like my brothers. If anything ever happened to me, my brothers would be the ones to step in and make sure you’re always okay. They would have your back like they have mine,” he explains.

“But I still don’t get it,” she says softly.

“It may read Brothers Black, but it’s placed where God create you from for me. If there is no me, my brothers will cover you. They will always cover you,” I reply.

“Wow,” she whispers. “Just wow.”