Page 263 of Kentrell

I remembered him from The Apex opening. From the K-Reese event. Always floating around the brothers, always with that signature smirk and calm confidence.

“How you doing, Zoe?” he said, like he already knew me. Which he probably did. Everyone in Kentrell’s circle seemed to know exactly who I was.

“Hi,” I answered with a smile. I didn’t return the name.

“I’m Lex—Wani’s homie.”

“Just Wani?” Kentrell’s eyes cut sideways, but his tone held that easy, teasing banter I’d gotten used to from that night when his crew took over Caldwell Manor.

“You my nigga, too,” Lex said quickly, laughing. “But you always been big bro.”

Kentrell gave a nod and waved him off, letting the jab roll. “I can’t to meet you, Zoe—my cousins nem talked about you all day.”

That made my heart leap, widening the smile on my face. Kentrell had told me I made an impression on them and although we had fun when we met, I just chalked it up to them being nice and entertaining me because of Kentrell.

“Oh, wow—I hope all good things.”

“Fasho.” He nodded, still smiling as he licked his lips.

“Well, I can’t wait to meet you, too.” I mirrored his smile, warm but polite.

“There go, Shon, now,” Lex said, backing away from the screen.

Kentrell turned his eyes back to me, softer now.

“Aye, bae, I’ma call you once I finish.”

“Okay. Bye, honey.” I melted just saying it. And once the call ended, I sat there for a beat, smiling like a girl with her heart wrapped up in the safest place it had ever been.

Then I snapped back to business.

I turned toward his laptop and opened my inbox, pulling up Tasha’s email once more. My fingers flew across the keyboard as I drafted my reply:

Subject:Re: Shaniece Johnson | Preliminary Review

From:Zoe Davis

To:Tasha Williams

Tasha,

This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you.

Let’s move forward with the motions for reexamination and official appeal. I’ve flagged a few more inconsistencies in the handling of the evidence that we’ll want to include in the supporting documents. I’ll organize those and attach them to the file by tonight.

I also want to set up a formal meeting with Shaniece’s current caseworker. I’ve already started gathering her disciplinary records and educational credits while she’s been inside—she’s clean. It’ll support the narrative that she’s been trying to rehabilitate despite being wrongfully convicted.

Can you have someone from your team head to Whitmore by end of next week? I’d like for Shaniece to be informed that she’s being selected by your non-profit for a formal appeal process. She needs to know that someone finally believes in her.

Let me know your availability for a follow-up call.

—Zoe

I clickedSendand sat back, letting the weight of it settle.

I was doing it. I was using my name—my skill, my passion—for something that felt bigger than all of us. And even if Kentrell didn’t know it yet, this wasn’t just justice for Shaniece.

It was redemption. For her.

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