Christmas in the Hood by Nikki Turner

Author:Nikki Turner
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780307494474
Publisher: One World Ballantine Books
Published: 2007-06-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“Are you nervous?”

“Scared shitless,” Noelle replied, then laughed. Nervous was an understatement, she thought to herself.

Parker walked up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. He loved to breathe in her scent and couldn't seem to get enough of it. It seemed strange that they had met only a few days ago. He felt as if he'd known Noelle for years.

“You'll be fine, baby,” he reassured her. “I'll be able to talk to you and see you.”

Noelle pulled a black spandex shirt over her head and smoothed it down. Coupled with the black knit pants, she actually looked like a cat burglar. She had even tied a black scarf around her locs. She looked the part, but the question was, could she play the part?

Yes, you can! You have to for Paris!

Parker strapped a black utility belt around her waist and went over the contents again. She had done remarkably well the past two days, but repetition made for good memorization.

“I look like Batman, don't I?”

“Batman is nowhere near as sexy as you are,” he joked. He found that joking with Noelle kept her calm.

“Thank you, Parker. For everything. I couldn't do this without you.”

“All right let's get you your mic and your camera. If you have to talk to me, remember to whisper. I'll be able to hear you loud and clear.”

“Okay.”

“I'll get to Gray's house fifteen minutes after he calls, but you know I'll really be only three minutes away.”

“Okay.”

“And Noelle …”

“Yes?”

“Breathe.”

Noelle checked to make sure she had everything. She left her purse and cell phone at Parker's house. She didn't want to risk losing something if anything happened that wasn't according to plan. She checked herself in the mirror one last time and went out the door.

“See you soon, baby. Just stick to the plan no matter how nervous you get.”

Noelle nodded her head then went down the steps. The cold air hit her in the face, but she relished it. Being cold kept her from sweating from nervousness.

During the fifteen-minute drive from downtown to Pikesville, Noelle began to focus her mind and go over the plan, slowly building her confidence. She knew everything she had to do. She couldn't fuck up. She wouldn't. Paris's life depended on her.

She breathed deeply and thought about spending Christmas with Paris. For the first time in her life she wanted to celebrate the holiday. And she wanted a relationship with Parker. She didn't want to grieve for her mother, sister, and new relationship all at the same time.

Noelle parked around the corner from Gray's home. Parker told her not to park on Gray's street, which made sense. She didn't want Gray knowing the make of her car or her license plate number.

She cut the ignition and tucked her keys into her pocket. The block was silent and cold, but Noelle didn't hear or feel it. She kept trying to quiet the roaring in her ears and cool the inferno raging through her body.

Calm down!

Noelle took a deep breath, got out the car, and started down the street.

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