Hearing my dad was trying to get me out of here made me smile. It was quickly wiped from my face hearing Big Frank continue talking.
“Unfortunately, you saw something that we can’t risk getting out. Ya know my son’s freedom would be at risk.”
“I won’t tell,” I hurriedly told him. “I promise. I’ll never speak of anything.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t. However, your words aren't good enough for me. I’m sure you can understand I don’t know you that well.” Big Frank cut his eyes over to Faheem then back to me. “I can’t put the safety of my son’s freedom in a stranger's hand. I do, however, believe my son has a soft spot for you and would be willing to help you keep your life.”
“How you figure I have a soft spot for her?” Faheem grumbled as if his dad insulted him by implying he’d cared about me.
Whipping my head in Faheem’s direction, I gave him the dirtiest look I could muster up because shut the fuck up.Stupid ass nigga.
“ ‘Cause she’s here and not in The Red Room,” Big Frank stated in a matter of fact type of tone.
“You got it,” Faheen replied with his signature cocky smirk.
“As I was saying. Family is very important to me, and the only way for you not to be considered a stranger, and I would be sure you can’t testify against Faheem? Was if you became a part of our family. Do you know how that would be possible?”
I shook my headno.
“Marriage. A wife can’t testify against her husband, and what better way for you to be a part of our family than having our last name?” Big Frank dropped the biggest bomb on us.
He wanted me to marry Faheem. What the hell. I couldn’t do that. Could I?
“I-I-I… we can’t he has, a-a-a, girlfriend,” I stuttered, sounding like a fool, looking to Faheem to help me protest against this idea.
“Is his girlfriend more important than your life?” Big Frank calmly asked me, while he leaned back in his seat.
“No,” I quickly answered.
“Mixie gon’ have a fit.” Faheem sounded amused more than he was upset.
Was I the only one freaking out about this crazy ass shit? There had to be another way.
“She’ll be fine. I’m sure she can understand saving another young lady's life. Besides, it will only be as real as you two make it. Tomorrow we can go down town and get the marriage license for the two of you. You can move her into your condo. You got a few extra rooms,” Big Frank oddly said looking at Faheem.
“Yeah, you want a nigga to lose his life. But you know yo son likes crazy shit like this, so I’m with it.” Faheem folded his arms across his chest grinning.
“For how long? Forever?” This wasn’t how I wanted to get married. Hell, I didn’t even want to ever get married.
“Do you want it to be forever?” Big Frank asked mischievously, cracking a small smile on his face, making him look less intimidating than before.
“No.”
“Don’t say that shit like it’s gonna be a problem to be married to a nigga. I’ma be a dope ass husband.” Faheem playfully mugged me in the back of my head. I didn’t see shit funny about none of this. Swatting Faheem’s hand away from my head, I flipped him off.
“Then three years will do. After that, you will be able to divorce Faheem and go on about your life.” Big Frank shrugged.
“How do you know I won’t go to the police after the three years are over?” I skeptically questioned him, I didn’t quite understand his angle. It would be so easy for me to report Faheem and him for kidnapping me after it was all said and done.
“Smart girl.” Big Frank smiled, but it wasn’t a happy smile, more like he was sending me a warning. “You know, I wanted to be a lawyer growing up. But going to school didn’t pay enough to keep my attention. I did learn a few things during my time in school. In Beaumont,Ifa crime isn’t reported in six months, any person who knows about the crime becomes an accomplice, and a wife who doesn’t report a crime her husband commits, she receives the same charges as her husband. So, you see, Juniper, if you try to tell on Faheem, you’ll be in jail right with him. Unlike you, Faheem has money for a good lawyer, and I have connections. So, the real question is how would you like to do this, Juniper?”
Big Frank was a smart man, and I didn’t have any other options but to go along with this. “And my father’s debt will be fully paid off too?” I figured what else did I have to lose? If I had to be married to Faheem, I might as well make the most of it.
Big Frank and Faheem locked eyes for a moment before Big Frank finally nodded as he said, “Yes. That can be arranged.”
Sighing, I looked back at Faheem. He smiled at me, and I rolled my eyes. I guess that I was about to be someone’s wife.
Chapter 8
