“What did they do? Why are they in Beijing?” I was appalled. What had Trae gotten himself into? Black camps or black jails were known for torture. I wasn’t going to stand by and allow Mr. Macklin to be subjected to that. If any torturing was to be done, I would be the administrator.

“Are you ready for this?”

“Calvin, tell me everything. Don’t ask me questions.”

“It looks like there are allegations that they were enemies of the state. They both have work visas. Your father found out they were there; he already had contracts out on their families but cancelled them once he learned of them being in Beijing. I don’t have to tell you how far your father’s reach is. Your father is headed over there as we speak.”

My heart clutched. I was speechless. This time, my father had gone too damn far.

“What do you want me to do about Tasha Macklin? I know where she delivered her baby, so she’s probably in Sag Harbor.”

“Put that on hold. I’ve got more pressing matters to tend to.” I passed him an envelope.

I went online and put in a plane reservation to Beijing. I also put in some calls to the Chinese Embassy and people I knew in high places. I just hoped it wasn’t too late. I had to save Trae Macklin.

JAZ

Look in the dictionary under fuck-up, and I can promise you that my picture is right there. Leave it to me to fuck up a perfectly good situation. Me and my stupid ass started taking these pills not knowing that I was already pregnant. In rejecting the pills, my body also rejected the fetus. This miscarriage had me feeling at my all-time lowest. I really needed my soulmate to be with me, to comfort me. I called Faheem all day the next day, but it kept going to voicemail. Each time he didn’t answer felt like the wedge of a knife slicing through our marriage and my heart.

The look on Faheem’s face was burned in my memory when I told him that I was on the pill. I might as well have said I had cheated on him. Forget about when I was cooking meth and selling it, and he had to get me out of that. This was the ultimate betrayal in his eyes. I knew how bad he wanted another son since Lil’ Faheem’s death. I admit . . . I was the selfish one.

All day I kept crying. I couldn’t stop. I sent Kaeerah to play with Aisha and Jahara, since they basically were their own sitters. Angel and Kyra agreed to keep her while I stayed holed up in my bedroom.

Suddenly my door opened, and Tasha came in. “Jaz, how are you holding up? Angel told me what happened,” she said in a soothing tone.

“I’m not holding up, Tasha.”