I knew he was back out there grinding in the streets. He knew just as well as I did, the risk that goes with that. I didn’t know what had my spirits down the most, him in the streets, or me having the miscarriage because of taking some deadly birth control pills behind his back. The two sins were neck and neck. Both resulting in possible death. Our child was a testament to that.

My phone vibrated. It was Faheem.

“Hey,” I said, fighting not to choke up.

“Jaz? What’s up? Y’all okay?” Faheem sounded gruff, as if I had just woke him up. My heart sank to my stomach. Where is he sleeping?

“I’m still spotting.”

“When do you get checked out again?”

“Thursday.”

“Good.”

“Kaeerah has been asking about you. Come see us. Plus, we need to talk.”

“Tell her daddy loves her, and I’ll be there in a couple of days.” With that, Faheem hung up.

Was our marriage over or what? It definitely felt over.

CHARLI LI

I had already spoken to my contact at the Chinese Embassy to verify that Trae was being held at the Black Camp. I was not leaving him in there to rot. I just couldn’t do it. I was too in love with Trae. I’m talking deeply in love with Trae. He was my man. Or at least he would be once I got finished with my plan. I immediately began to pack. My first stop would be the Chinese Embassy. I had to beat my father over there. Thank God, Beijing was his last stop.

TASHA

I knocked on Angel’s bedroom door. We had five spacious bedrooms. One for me, Angel, Jaz, Kyra, the boys, and the girls. Using a sofa bed, we had turned the dining room into sleeping quarters. It was like one big sleepover all the time. We were enjoying ourselves under the circumstances. Aunt Marva had just moved out. She said it was too much activity here for her. But if we needed her, all we had to do was call and she’d be back. With Angel being pregnant and Kyra and me just having our baby girls, the kids would be all around the same age, growing up together.

“Have you heard anything?” I asked Angel. The men where initially supposed to be gone for two weeks, but I told Trae not to come home until everything was resolved. And clearly, he had taken that to heart. At this point, we hadn’t spoken to them in over a month.

“Tasha, please. I know you are on pins and needles just as much as I am. If I heard something I would have rushed and told you.”

“Girl, I know it. It doesn’t hurt to wish. This shit is beginning to feel like déjà vu.”