She looked bewildered. We all knew Faheem had been out of the game and would never go back. He enjoyed his role as Mr. Mom.

“Why are you just saying something about this? Why haven’t you shared this with your family?”

“He talks about Seven—” I continued trying to make her understand how serious this was.

“From the baby shower?” she was shocked.

“Yes and how she wants him. She invited him over, tried to seduce him. And Bo—”

“What happened with Bo?”

“Nothing, Angel, but he says he was kidnapped, and Faheem had to save him.”

“Oh Jaz,” she said and pulled me into a hug. I allowed a few tears to fall before I pulled back.

“I just wanted you to see…I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“I’m sorry, Jaz,” she said, tears falling from her eyes. I smiled and wiped mine away.

“I need to get back in here,” I told her. “You leave out the same way you came in.”

“You want me to stay…I can stay,” she offered, gripping my hand. The love and compassion she had for me was evident in her tone and eyes.

“No, it’s fine. He can talk for a loooonng time,” I said trying to make a joke of it. “He likes to tell me stories about how he fucked me on a kitchen table.” I laughed. The truth was, we hadn’t had sex since before my miscarriage.

“Okay.” she said.

“Okay,” I said and gently pulled my hand from hers. I took a deep breath and entered the room. Faheem rushed over to me.

“Jaz, where were you. I think I figured out who was following you.”

“Nobody was following me, Faheem. Is your bag packed? We are going to the house for the weekend.”

“Yes, they were, baby, remember?” he said. His deep gaze penetrated my soul.

*****

Now it was almost four in the morning, and we were sitting in the living room in the dark. I was curled up on my baby’s lap as I listened to his tales. “So, what do you mean, you and the Don exchanged favors, Faheem?”

Faheem fumbled around with his phone, finally holding it in my face. It was a blank screen, but he said it was a wire transfer confirmation. His bank account was stacked, according to him. Really stacked.

“Okay, baby. What do you have going on that you are willing to risk everything for a few dollars? I know it’s a lot, but make me a believer, Faheem. You are treading through very dangerous territory.”