Page 39 of The Devoted Husband

“I feel you. Well, let me know how much the rent will be, and of course, I’ll cover it. If you want that to be for you and the baby until we get married, I’m cool with that, but we will be together, Sade, and I’m firm about that.”

She grinned and opened her mouth to respond, but heavy banging on the door silenced her. Gently, Dante sat her on the bed next to him and stood. Even though he was at her grandparents’ house, he couldn’t allow Barron to answer. Those types of knocks never had a positive or pleasant ending behind them.

“Who the hell is that banging on my door like that?” Barron called out, shuffling out of his room. Dante chuckled at the sight of him closing his robe.

“I’ll find out.”

After looking through the peephole, a frown covered his face as he peered at two police officers. Did they have more questions for him? How did they know where he was?

Dante opened the door and asked, “Can I help y’all?”

“Is Sade Griffin here?”

His head tilted as he looked from one to the other. “What’s this about?”

“Is she here?” the taller, buffer one asked.

“Do you have a warrant?”

After pressing the paper into Dante’s chest, the tall officer stepped inside.

“Sade Griffin,” he called.

Dante’s heart raced as he looked over the warrant. This had Jones’s name plastered all over it—and these being Vanzette PD police officers was further proof.

“Yes?” Sade asked quietly, twiddling her thumbs.

“You’re under arrest for the murders of Patrice Baker and Trina Roe. You’re also wanted for questioning in the disappearance of Willow Frank.”

“Oh my God,” Ava cried as Barron wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his side.

“Dante,” Sade called, tears filling her eyes.

As the officer read Sade her rights, Dante kissed her forehead and said, “I promise I’m going to get you out.”

Sade

Sade squeezed her legs tightly together as she sat on the edge of the cold metal bench. Fights with her sister over the years taught her how to defend herself early, so that wasn’t a fear. More than anything, Sade was uncomfortable. It took hours for her to be processed, and that was one of the most degrading things she’d ever encountered. They didn’t put much thought into her being pregnant since she was so early in her pregnancy.

Her pregnancy.

What if she had to give birth in prison? Dante would have to raise their child. Just the thought brought tears to her eyes.

Being returned to Vanzette meant being held in a small jail. The holding cell was tiny, with no heat or air. It was muggy and scented with body odor, urine, and blood. She kept her eyes off the other three women in the cell and looked forward to having her own. Sade was fully aware of what she’d done, and though she tried to be as meticulous and careful as possible, there was a chance she’d left evidence behind. If she had to pay for what she did, Sade was fully prepared to serve her time. Her only plea would be to surrender herself and start her sentence after she gave birth.

“Griffin!” Sade stood and rushed over to the metal bars at the sound of her name being yelled. The short, chubby correctional officer leaned against it, chewing gum. “You can have your one phone call.”

“Okay.”

She stepped back as the officer unlocked the cell. Walking out, Sade followed her over to the phone in the corner of the room. Sade considered if she wanted to call Dante or Ava. Avawould cry or want to ask questions, so she called Dante instead. He answered almost immediately.

“Smiley?”

“Yes. I-I don’t have a number yet, so my calls will be free until I do. They said I’ll probably get one in the morning, and then you’ll have to pay. Is that okay?”

“Baby, I don’t give a damn about paying. Call me as much as you need to. What are they saying? I know you probably don’t have a bond yet.”

“No, not yet. They processed me, and that’s it. I’m still in a holding cell with some other women.”

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