Page 45 of The Devoted Husband

“Thank you.”

After ending the call, Dante tried to clear his mind for the rest of the drive. That was easier said than done. Between the constant questions from his and Sade’s family, Dante was trying not to spiral. The only thing that kept him calm was talking to Sade to let him know she was okay. But the more time passed, the worse the scenarios in his head became.

When he made it to the prison, Dante endured the lengthy process of getting checked in. It took about ten minutes before Imani was making her way into the visitation room. She sat across from him at the cream-colored round table with a smile.

“I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Your sister was arrested.”

Imani’s smile fell instantly. “What!For what?”

“That situation in Vanzette,” was all Dante offered.

“Shit.” Imani covered her face as she shook her head. “She said she was careful.”

“She was, which is why I’m trying to make sense of this. Jones had said the evidence they had wasn’t enough to convict. They didn’t have her DNA in the system.” Dante paused as Imani lowered her hands from her face. “That leads me to you. He offered to help you get a reduced sentence in exchange for your DNA, right?”

“Yes, but I said no.”

“Did you really? Because Sade and I are the reasons you’re in here. Well, you’re the reason, but we worked with the FBI to trap you. And you expect me to believe you didn’t offer up your DNA in exchange? That would have been the perfect get-back, Imani. You want me to believe you didn’t take it? As selfish as you’ve been...”

Imani’s head jerked as if his words had physically touched her. She rolled her tongue across her cheek and stood.

“Fuck you, Dante.”

“Sit down, Imani. I’m not done with you yet.”

“I’d say you are. I’d say you’re on to the next...who just so happens to be my sister.”

“Can we please not go there? Let’s not act like you give a damn about me. You cheated on me while we were datingandmarried. You lied to me about our kids. You set me up with the FBI. You used me to hurt your sister. Sit the fuck down and help me figure out how to help her because you know she deserves it.”

“She deserves whatever she gets for being dumb enough to kill people over you,” Imani said, plopping down in her seat. “But Sade won’t survive in prison. She can fight, but that’s the only thing going for her. She’s used to being carefree and in control of herself and her life. I’d say she could spend her days drawing and painting if you could get those materials for her. Otherwise, she’s going to go crazy in there.”

“I know. I have to get her out of there, but I need to know what we’re up against. If you struck a deal with Jones, I need you to tell me, Imani.”

“I didn’t. I promise. I told Sade that I wouldn’t do that to her. I’ve done enough fucked-up shit to my sister. I wasn’t going to send her to jail too.”

Dante considered her words. He didn’t bother trying to figure out whether she was sincere. She was a liar and master manipulator.

“A’ight, so if you didn’t give him your DNA...” Dante pounded his fist on the table. “Youdidgive him your DNA, just how you think.”

“What do you mean?” Imani asked, her head tilting.

“The attack . . . You still don’t know who did it, right?”

“No, I don’t.”

“I think Jones set you up to be attacked badly enough to have to go to the hospital.”

Scoffing, Imani crossed her arms on top of the table and leaned forward. “What makes you think that?”

“He’s been here following Sade and met with me to convince me to help take her down. I told Sade, and she said she thought she saw him at the hospital when she visited you. If you didn’t agree to give him your DNA...”

“He could have easily requested it or stolen it while I was in the hospital,” Imani said. “But do you think he’dreallydo that? You don’t think it was a coincidence?”

“I think he would. He seems obsessed with making Sade pay, though I’m unsure why. I think he’s very calculated and capable of doing something like this.”

“Well, I know it might not mean much to you, but I give you my word that I did not willingly give him a hair or blood sample. If he took either, he did it while I was in that coma.”

---