Noah's Lifeline

Noah's Last Hurrah

Author's Spiel : The amount of readers adding this book to their libraries under 'black love stories' is sending the fuckk out of me!! Keep up the chaos and happy new year ! At this point I've been working on being appreciative of my own work despite personal turmoil. I so loved writing this chapter <3

Zahra's pov

I tried not to stare too intently at the bickering family as they argued incessantly over the growing plan. I'd reluctantly let go of Noah's hand when he started using it to talk his frustrations out with the fiery couple across from us. They were arguing about the best route to go and I honestly felt uncomfortable being so deep in their personal business.

Granted, he'd slipped it right back into mine before I could move away, trying to give them some privacy in the mayhem.

But Noah just wasn't having any of it. He wouldn't let me fade into the background as I wanted to and I both loved and hated it when he brought the other side of my palm to his lips and pressed a hard kiss to the skin.

"Don't go. You're also family as far as I'm concerned."

My cheeks warmed immediately at that declaration, closely followed by a bounce in my feet as my whole body basked in the feeling only Noah could give me. It felt like a little secret between us only we knew, despite the wiggling eyebrows and winks from the eyes in the vicinity zoned on us.

My body decided to cooperate finally as my chin lowered once in agreement, hoping this man would let it go and not give his family even more of a show than we already had. I'd already been trying to remain impassive and not draw too much attention to ourselves as the Ruiz's drew out their plan but it was all still so surreal as Noah's relative recanted her story and how she'd even gotten to this point to be in a position to help us.

"As I was saying."

Pointed stare

"Our family gets off on allowing marriages with people that have blood ties to the same town of our origins. More of a power trip of you ask me." She ran her fingers through the long ponytail as though the memory irritated her.

I should've left it at that and let her continue her story as planned, but deep down I think I wanted to know more. I had questions on top of questions and didn't know where to start.

"Like incest? You have to marry and procreate with your cousins? Noah too ?" The words tumbled from my lips like hot vomit and I immediately pressed my hands to my lips tightly atop one another, horrified with myself.

Ms. Nora laughed, at my question or reaction I couldn't be sure, which made my face burn hotter as embarrassment replaced horror. Laughter was better than cursing me out for my lack of tact, or so I told myself when she wiped away some tears that fell down her cheeks.

"No, more like when the familial criminal organizations were formed, all the families that grew up together in Massachusetts and sacrificed their belongings to gain more power put a clause in the ink. In not wanting to give up their power as each lineage extended - the Westwoods, Williams, Sullivans, and Burkes made each member swear to marry prospects only from these families or an outsider on special conditions."

My eyes widened, my head not really comprehending the gravity of the situation or the history being uncovered before me.

"Special conditions?" Was all I could manage as everyone started at me expectantly.

"As long as you're rich and not a minority, my wife's family will concede to your marriage." Mr. Ruiz finished where his wife could not.

To hell with that