“Zainab.” I pressed my hand against the glass. “Look at me.”
She looked up, her eyes red-rimmed and swimming with tears.
“This is not your fault. Someone set you up. They used your love for Yusef against you, and you responded the way anyone would. I’m not mad at you. I will never be mad at you for trying to protect our family.”
She pressed her hand against the glass too, lining it up with mine. We couldn’t touch, but this was as close as we could get.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you more.”
“I’m scared, Prime. I’m so scared.”
“I know, baby. I know.” I swallowed hard, trying to keep my own emotions in check. “But I need you to hold on. Can you do that for me? Just hold on a little longer. I’m going to fix this. I don’t know how yet, but I’m going to fix this.”
She nodded, but I could see she didn’t believe me. Couldn’t blame her. I wasn’t sure I believed myself anymore.
“How’s Yusef?” she asked, changing the subject.
“He’s okay. Worried about you. He wanted to come visit but I told him to wait until you were feeling better.”
“Good. I don’t want him to see me like this.” She paused. “How’s Mehar?”
“She’s holding it down for Sweet Zin. Call her when you get a chance. Let her know you’re fine.”
Something like a smile flickered across Zainab’s face. “That’s my sister. Always holding it down.” The smile faded. “I’ll call her and tell her I love her. And that I’m proud of her.”
A guard appeared behind Zainab, tapping his watch. Our time was almost up.
“I have to go,” Zainab said, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. “I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with you.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow. I promise.”
“Okay.” She pressed her hand harder against the glass, like she could somehow push through it and touch me. “I love you, Prentice Banks. No matter what happens. I love you.”
“I love you too, Zainab Ali. More than anything in this world.” I held her gaze, pouring everything I had into those words. “And I will never stop fighting for you. Never.”
The guard put his hand on her shoulder, and she had to go. She stood up slowly, her eyes never leaving mine, and let them lead her away.
I sat there for a long time after she was gone, my hand still pressed against the glass, staring at the empty chair where she’d been.
Then I got up and walked out of that building, feeling like I’d left a piece of myself behind.
My heart felt heavy as I walked into the bright LA streets. The world kept moving like nothing was wrong with cars passing,people walking, life going on. And meanwhile, my woman was locked in a cage and my cousin was a rapist and there was a woman in a warehouse who wanted my family dead and I didn’t know how to fix any of it.
I sat in my car for a long time before I could bring myself to turn the key.
Everything was falling apart. And I had no idea how to put it back together.
But I had to try. For Zainab. For our daughter. For the family I’d fought so hard to build.
I had to try.
37
ZAINAB
The time spent with him ended way too quickly. That’s what I kept thinking as they walked me back through processing, the echo of Prime’s voice still ringing in my ears. His hands pressing against the glass. His eyes telling me everything his mouth couldn’t say with guards listening.I love you. I’m coming for you. Hold on.
