Page 27 of The Devoted Husband

“Damn. Well, hopefully, when you get back inside, someone will have some answers.”

“Why do you care?” Imani scoffed. “You don’t give a fuck about me.”

Massaging her temples, Sade pulled in what she needed to be a calming breath. “I am sick of having this conversation with you, Imani. Idogive a fuck about you. You’re my sister, and I love you. I’ve told you this a million times—no one can beat you up but me.” That made Imani smile like Sade hoped it would. “I wish there was a way to get you out of there. I wanted you to go to prison and pay for what you did, but I don’t know. This makes you being there real. I don’t like not being able to get to you when you need help.”

“Well...if you want me out, maybe I could give that detective a DNA sample since he promised he’d help get me out.”

That got a good laugh out of Sade. “I know you better not! If you helped Jones send me to prison, I’d commit another murder before my trial was over and do something to get you in there with me.”

Imani laughed. “You know I wouldn’t do you like that. The money has already cleared in my account.”

They shared another laugh before Sade confessed, “I needed this. Can’t believe the laughter is coming from you.”

“What’s wrong, sissy?”

Sade considered if she wanted to share what was happening with her sister. Technically, she was the reason they were in this situation anyway.

“Dante came back to Memphis, and he overheard a conversation between me and Atlas. I don’t know how much heheard, but he now thinks I was in on the plan, and he tried to kill Atlas.” Imani’s eyes widened, and her mouth hung open. “And I’m not exaggerating, Imani. He literally choked Atlas in a room full of people until the man blacked out. If a few people hadn’t grabbed Dante and carried him outside, Atlas would be dead.”

“Damn. I wish I could say I’m surprised, but I’m not. It’s best for all parties involved if those two areneverin the same room. Dante’s going after him every chance he gets.”

“I tried to explain that to Atlas, but he didn’t want to hear it. He’s insisting I tell Dante about us like we’re together now.”

“Why does he care that Dante knows you two were fucking?”

Sade opened her mouth but quickly snapped it shut. She wouldn’t tell Imani she was pregnant with her ex-husband’s baby. Not yet, at least.

“It doesn’t matter. Everything’s all messed up, and I don’t know what to do. I wanted me and Dante to get back to our friendship, but I fear that will never be possible now.”

“Well, I’m sure everything will work itself out. Dante will forgive you for almost anything. You’re perfect in his eyes. Once he calms down, I’m sure he’ll hear you out.”

“I hope so,” Sade mumbled. She’d been calling him, but her calls were going straight to voicemail. This was the first time Dante’s anger had ever been directed toward her. He’d been frustrated or disappointed in the past but never angry with her, and Sade didn’t know what to do.

“How are my babies?” Imani asked, changing the subject.

“They’re good. Thriving. I’m enjoying being able to spend time with them. They can’t wait for me to get my apartment so we can have a sleepover there.”

“Wait, so you’re staying in Memphis?” Imani snickered. “Why?”

There she was...asking a question Sade didn’t want to provide the truth for again.

“I just...think it’s best if I be close to family right now,” Sade decided on. “Grandma and Grandpa aren’t getting any younger, the twins are getting older, and your ass is getting knocked out in prison. If I’m on the island, it’ll take days for me to get here if anyone needs me.”

Imani’s eyes rolled as she chuckled. “Don’t add me to that equation. You know if I needed you, you wouldn’t be there. Not after everything I’ve done to you.”

“You’ve done a lot of horrible things, but you’re still my sister. Besides, I’m no angel. I’ve done some horrible things to you too.”

Imani huffed, her head hanging. “Yeah, and sleeping with my husband is at the top of that list.” Her head hung, and it was the first time she showed sadness over Sade being with Dante. It caught her off guard.

“I didn’t think you’d care. I mean, youwerecheating on him with Adam and wanted a divorce.”

“That’snotthe point!” she yelled, jerking her cuffed arms against the bed. “That was myhusband, and you were mysister. And I knew...” Her chin trembled, and her eyes watered. “I knew he’d finally choose you.” Chuckling, Imani looked toward the ceiling as her tears rolled down her cheeks. “It didn’t matter how hard I tried to make him want me. I knew he would always choose you.”

Sade wiped her sister’s tears. “He didn’t choose me, Imani. He married you. He stayed with you.”

“Yeah, because he thought the twins were his. If he knew I’d cheated on him with Adam, he would have been gone instantly.”

“Would that have been such a bad thing? God, what did I do beyond exist to make you want the one thing, the one person who meant the most to me?”

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