Formybaby.
I still wasn’t fully wrapping my mind around that part. I was really about to be somebody’s mother. That should’ve terrified me more than it did, but Thailand had changed something in me. Before that trip, I don’t know if I would’ve had the clarity or confidence to believe I could really do this. My father had catered to me my whole life. Then Saint and Zahra stepped in and did as well. Everybody always made sure Ava was taken care of, comfortable, and protected.
Thailand was the first time I was really out in the world on my own, figuring things out because I had to. Learning how to move through a foreign place without somebody hovering over me every second gave me independence. It gave me proof that I could take care of myself.
Now, I didn’t feel like the girl everybody had always pampered anymore. I felt like a woman who could stand on her own two feet, who could take care of herself and a child.
The agent gave me a minute in the second bedroom before leading me back into the main living space. “So, this is the open-concept living and dining area. The in-unit washer and dryer are in that closet, and the kitchen appliances are all brand new. You’d also get one garage parking space and one exterior space.”
I looked out through the living room windows again and pictured myself there, fulfilling orders at the counter, rocking my baby in the middle of the night.
Breathing.
The agent clasped her hands together once the tour was done. “Do you have any questions for me?”
I looked around one more time before turning back to her. “Actually, I do. Can you forward me an application?”
Her eyes brightened. “Absolutely.”
SINCERE BELLAMY
The Cartiers chose for me to deliver the bad news to Langford because I was the best one in the family to do it without sounding like a street nigga trying to cover a murder. So, I had Langford come to Bellamy Urban Development.
Langford came in looking worse than the last time I’d seen him. His tie was loosened. His eyes looked tired. His panic had started showing through the seams. I stood when he entered the conference room and reached for his hand.
“Sincere,” he greeted.
“Alderman.”
He sat down hard in the seat. “Please tell me that Jamir found something.”
Langford knew that the Cartiers had illegal ways to find things out, so he had come to us in hopes that we could do more than the police were and find out what happened to his daughter.
I slid a folder across the desk, but I kept my hand on it for a second before I let go. “Jamir dug into some things for us. It looks like Sienna was in trouble with the Feds.”
Langford stared at me like I had spoken another language. “Withwho?”
“The Feds,” I repeated.
He leaned back slowly. “That’s impossible.”
I shook my head. “I wish it was.”
He looked down at the folder but didn’t open it right away. “What kind of trouble?”
“She was about to be charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, and financial reporting issues tied to money moving through shell accounts and fake consulting invoices.”
Langford looked sick. “No,” he said quietly. Then he said louder, “No. Sienna would not be involved in anything like that.”
“I’m not saying she was for sure. I’m saying the Feds were about to press those charges against her.”
He opened the folder then. “She never said anything to me,” he muttered.
“She probably hid it because she was embarrassed, scared, or both. And if Agent Mallory still hasn’t brought this to you directly, that tells me she’s probably still looking around to see how far this goes.”
Langford’s eyes narrowed. “Meaning?”
“I’m saying if the Feds were closing in on Sienna, they may want to know whether you were involved too, since these funds supported your campaigns.”
