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“She’s right.” Valentino lowers his voice, which causes me to slow my steps. “There’s been movement on that issue you asked me to look into…”
A long pause compels me to peek at a mirror on the wall. Valentino stares at my back, ruining any hopes I have of eavesdropping. Although I wish I could stay and find out more, my standing with the mayor is already shaky. I close the door behind me as I exit.
Am I the ‘issue’ Sansone solicited his brother for, or does Valentino’s serious tone mean there’s a potential threat to Sansone’s business?
Speculating will get me a headache, but the idea of threats pushes me to text Omari. If he has any idea who the person looking for me is, I can go on the offensive. If he has another project for me, I’ll have to figure a way to maintain my hobby while keeping it secret from Sansone. Even if Omari hasn’t found something new for me to sink my teeth into, I’ll assignsomething myself. Already, the months since getting Jinx have worn on me. I’ll need my outlet soon.
While I wait for Omari to respond, I turn to Jinx. “I think we’re on our own today and will have to check out the school your daddy picked out another day. Since we have time, I’m taking you to meet someone who can help you. And after, we’ll get ice cream. How’s that sound?”
She nods and squeezes my hand.
With her agreement, we leave Sansone’s. I take her to another affluent section of Douglas, close to Sansone’s home. We pull up to a modest home, at least compared to Sansone’s mansions. I park in the driveway and lead Jinx to the front door.
A Black woman in her forties but who looks to be in her mid-twenties opens the door. Dr. Janet Fletcher is a renowned child psychiatrist who I hope will help Jinx where I can’t. “Zakiya, I’m so glad you could make it today after all. Please come in. This will be very informal, so have a seat anywhere you like.”
The first floor is an open floor plan made to look like one enormous room. Everything speaks to subtle luxury and comfort. There are bright colors and pillows everywhere, making the space inviting even for kids.
“You choose,” I say to Jinx.
She heads to the giant beanbag chair, which swallows her almost immediately.
Instead of sitting on a chair, Janet folds her legs and sits on the ground beside the little girl. “So you’re Jinx. Zakiya has told me a lot of good things about you.”
For the next hour, Janet patiently engages with Jinx by asking straightforward yes or no questions, and Jinx responds with equally simple gestures. Afterward, we go for the ice cream I promised her earlier.
While she makes her choice, I ask her if she likes Ms. Fletcher. If not, I have a few other experts who work with kidsdealing with traumatic mutism. I’d love to hear her voice one day, but resign myself to missing out if she doesn’t get the professional help she needs.
As we sit to dig into our treat, for me, an ice cream sandwich and for Jinx, a strawberry ice cream cone with sprinkles, my phone vibrates with Omari’s response to my earlier text.
Tech Bro: Lots of layers of security and VPNs. Will keep looking. On the other front, someone popped up on my radar. Must act fast. Check email for dossier with deets.
I open the file he sent, scrolling through the information. The timing is not ideal, but I’ve never been able to refuse a project. Now that I have Jinx to worry about, I have to figure how I can slip away and return by morning.
Me: Are you able to hack into his security at the Haven house?
CHAPTER 10
Zakiya
The house is dark when I pull into the garage. Staying out so late wasn’t my intention, but I had to organize my materials if I hoped to complete my project during the small window of opportunity I have. I retrieve a black duffel bag full of my tools.
Jinx sleeps in her booster seat. Instead of waking her, I carry her toward the house, hoping she won’t wake while I transfer her to bed. Sudden changes cause a fear response in her, but if she wakes during the night it takes hours for her to fall asleep again. On any other night, I wouldn’t mind, but tonight isn’t like other nights.
I nod toward Sansone’s men as I subtly drop the duffel by the hedgerow lining the house. They give me a peculiar look, but no one says anything. If I try to reclaim the bag, my actions will raise suspicions. Since the men continue their rounds, I shrug and continue to the entrance. As soon as I shut the door, the light comes on, momentarily blinding me. Once I adjust to the change, I stand still.
Sansone sits on a chair he moved to the middle of the hall for this moment. He takes me and Jinx in, his jaw flexing at a rateI’ve never seen. Without a word, he stands and transfers Jinx into his arms before heading upstairs.
I silently follow with enough space between us to allow a speedy escape. I’m not afraid of him per se, but I am cautious. When facing off with an apex predator, it’s best not to become their prey.
Sansone puts Jinx to bed. He tenderly cradles her head while applying her bonnet to her hair, and dresses her for bed. Jinx’s ability to sleep through his ministrations is testament to her trust in her new environment.
When Sansone turns to me, the soft gaze he had for Jinx disappears. In its place is banked fury, reminding me of the way he sat downstairs like a king on a throne about to dole out judgment. He nods toward the door, his lips pinched and nostrils trembling.
I follow him downstairs to a room off the east wing, far enough away Jinx won’t hear us argue. And I have no doubt we will have words. A man doesn’t move furniture to confront someone unless he’s got shit to say. AndIdon’t take shit if it’s not deserved.
“Some new rules are in order.” Sansone perches against a sideboard and folds his arms. The lamp beside him casts an ominous shadow obscuring most of his face.
I glance around the room, vaguely recalling the room on the quick tour he gave on my first night. “Oh?” I select a couch and sit on the armrest to face him.
