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“I want that, too. Want to help me make it happen?” I have no shame. If granting my daughter’s wish aligns with my selfish desires, so be it. I’ll collude with a six-year-old girl to show Zakiya what she risks losing by refusing to be mine.
When Jinx eagerly nods her agreement, the residual anger I’ve been carrying since last night disappears. Before I was already determined to fight for Zakiya, now I have more in my arsenal to combat her reasons for denying herself. And I’ll make damn sure I erode every effort she puts forward.
CHAPTER 16
Zakiya
I escape to an upstairs bathroom to check my phone. It’s the only place I can guarantee my privacy under Aurelio’s diligent guard. Although I’ve ignored this person since she last bulldozed into my home, her calls and texts have increased in frequency. With the possibility of Sansone unmasking me, I have to keep Max’s identity secret. She’s the only link from my past that I haven’t been able to completely separate from, and I can’t afford to let Aurelio or Sansone discover her.
Too much of what I do hinges on not having a past they can link back to me.
I retrieve my phone and open my messages.
Dory: That’s it. You don’t answer my calls or texts after showing up with a little girl. I’ve officially mobilized the neighborhood to do a watch for you. Look what Mr. Murphy put together.
Below her text is an image of a flyer. I click it and gasp. Staring back at me is a photo of myself I never took. I’m without the usual makeup I use to downplay my features. Anyone used to the image I portray daily will easily identify me.
Me: Where did this photo come from?
Dory: Oh ho! Look who responds after so long.
Me: Dory…
Dory: I gave Mr. Murphy a few options and he chose this one. By the way, he says hiding yourself away is a damn shame. I swear that Mr. Murphy is a man after my heart. He truly gets me.
I roll my eyes. It figures she found an ally in the crotchety old man.
Me: Has anyone started handing these out yet?
Dory: No. I’m at the printer though, so if you want to stop us from having your face all over the local news, you better come home and assure everyone you’re okay. Today!
Me: This is blackmail.
Dory: How do I know someone hasn’t taken over your phone, pretending to be you? You can’t fool me. Only you showing up alive and in the flesh where I can touch you will convince me you’re safe.
Me: You’re being ridiculous.
Dory: I will not fold.
Me: I can’t drop everything to satisfy your curiosity.
Dory:??I’m not curious, I’m worried! And so are your neighbors.
Me: Give me until tonight.
Dory: Okay bestie??. See you soon.
Now more than ever I want to strangle Max for disguising her manipulative strong-arming under her enthusiastic optimism. I hoped I would have time to plan a fool-proof escape with Omari’s help, but now Max’s interference has added more risk to evading Aurelio.
I flush and wash my hands before leaving the bathroom. As soon as I open the door, Aurelio greets me, making his presence obvious.
“Feeling okay?” he asks, pointedly staring behind me.
I roll my eyes and wave a hand in front of my nose. “Yeah, but for your health, you don’t want to go in there just yet.”
He watches me, and for a second he hesitates before following me downstairs. For the rest of the day, I go through the motions while plotting and discarding ways to leave the estate with no one the wiser. A few more trips to the bathroom and a request to Omari deal with my transportation.
I dare not use my car when I have no additional escape routes planned. At dinner, I make my first move, knowing Sansone will never forgive me. I shrug off the sensation dogging me. Why do I need his forgiveness? I’ve told him time and again there can be nothing between us. It’s the one truth I’ve maintained since meeting him, although everything else about me is a lie.
