Sarah frowned a bit when she saw that Noah was still talking to the man on the phone. She knew that Noah was doing his job of rejecting them without causing a conflict, but Sarah was pregnant and hormonal, and her patience was running thin.
Sarah walked to Noah and wiggled her fingers, indicating to him to give her the phone.
"Just a moment…", Noah spoke into the phone before giving it to Sarah.
"This is Nyx. To whom am I speaking?", Sarah asked impatiently. The other side mumbled something, and she didn't care what it was. "Listen… We will not meet with you today… I don't care that you came here all the way from Africa. Even if you came from Mars, I wouldn't care. You have the option to provide us with missing information and request another meeting or challenge this decision in the fighting arena. Send us your champion to fight against one of my people. If you win, you get your meeting right away. Got it?"
At Sarah's words, Aiden bolted to his feet and started pointing at himself with vigorous movements of his hands. He was thinking about how to break the news to Sarah that he wants to go and fight despite her canceling the meeting, and this was Godsent.
Sarah's eyebrow arched at the sight of overenthusiastic Aiden and she hid her laughter behind a cough.
The man on the other line didn't hesitate to accept the challenge. He was egged by the sudden rejection and confident that his man can take any opponent. After all, he came to this club with his top four bodyguards, and a dozen more people. He will not be bullied.
With that settled, Aiden said that he will fight as "Mr. A", he gave Sarah a smacking kiss on the lips and went to change clothes.
Sarah turned to Noah. "The man was agitated, and he will create a fuss after the loss."
Noah nodded in understanding. "I will personally supervise people to surround them and keep an eye…", Noah's voice trailed when he saw Sarah shaking her head.
"We are not at war, and this guy is a small player who does not require your involvement. Actually, you could take it easy and enjoy the evening."
Noah looked at Sarah suspiciously. "Are you telling me to take a night off? What about your other meetings?"
Sarah waved her hand, indicating to Noah how that is not a problem. "Zack and Masika are on their way. They will be here in ten minutes so they will assist me. You can relax. Do something fun."
Noah felt a lump in his chest. "Why are you telling me to stay back? Did I do something wrong, and I'm being punished?"
Sarah let out a long exhale. "Actually, I have a different mission for you." She waved her hand for him to join her next to the glass enclosure. "Look toward the bar. There is a young woman who might need rescuing. I think that you are the right man for the job."
Noah joined Sarah next to the glass, but he didn't look down. He was focused on Sarah. "I don't need you to set me up with a hookup."
Sarah's expression darkened. In a flash, she was pinching Noah's cheeks harshly and talking through her teeth: "Who is setting you up with a hookup? What am I, your pimp? What are you thinking? Just because I said that there is a lady who could use your help, you assumed that you should sleep with her?"
She let go of his cheeks and snorted in frustration.
Noah rubbed his aching cheeks, feeling wronged while wondering if this was her true anger or only the pregnancy hormones and if there is any difference between the two.
"That's not what I…"
"And what did you mean?", Sarah cut him off. "Don't play innocent. Do you think I don't know you are sleeping around?"
Noah lowered his head, feeling mistreated. The only woman Noah was loyal to was Sarah and hearing her speak like that, hurt.
Why did Sarah talk like he is some playboy? Fine, Noah has a few ladies that he visits occasionally, but they are clear that it will never go beyond physical release, and neither of them is exclusive. And how does Sarah know about it? They are all discrete and not advertising it. But then… Sarah technically owns the entire neighborhood, and it would be strange that she doesn't know what is going on.
In truth, Sarah does not keep an eye on everyone. That is Eve's job. Eve is watching the Boyle Heights neighborhood and she reports to Sarah anything suspicious. It's mostly for safety reasons.
However, Sarah is aware of Noah's infatuation with her and that is why she was keeping an eye on him. Sarah hoped that Noah will find that special someone who will break the spell which is keeping Noah stuck to Sarah.
Sarah is not sure if Chloe is the one for Noah, but Sarah definitely saw something different with Noah during that baby shower, and Sarah wants to see if it will work out.
Seeing that Noah was submissive, Sarah wondered if she went too far. Damn pregnancy hormones! She took a deep breath and did her best to talk calmly.
"I don't blame you, Noah. You are a healthy young man and I have no right to tell you how to live your life. But I know that you are steering away from relationships and if you continue like that, you will end up as a lonely old man. Did you even look to see who the woman in question is?"
"Does it matter?"
Sarah shrugged. "I don't know. Look for yourself and tell me if it matters."
Noah looked down and it took him a few seconds to spot Chloe. He was wearing Eve-lens, and the zoom functionality worked its wonders.
"Why is she here?", Noah muttered.
Sarah smiled a little. He didn't brush it off and there might be some concern behind his tone, so that was another sign that Chloe could be special. "Why don't you go and ask her?"
Noah connected the dots. "Are you setting me up for a date?"
Sarah shook her head. "I told you that she will need protection. She is a civilian, who grew up in a controlled environment, and is not used to what we have going on here. Be by her side when the commotion erupts and make sure she comes out of it unscathed. How much I know, Chloe is a good person, a delicate flower, nothing like what you've seen so far. I'm not telling you to date her but give her a chance to show you who she is. And for God's sake, don't treat her as a hookup."
"How should I treat her?"
"Did you forget how to make friends, Noah? You are responsible for her being here.", Sarah reminded him. "If you didn't offer her a job at Blanc, she wouldn't move into this neighborhood and she would definitely not be down there now. Protect her tonight. Start from there and see where it goes..."
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