Page 45 of The Devoted Husband

She tossed her phone onto the bed and walked over to the window.

Though it was her idea to ignore Jones, she didn’t know how much more she could take of this.

Guilt hadn’t gnawed at her because of what she’d done, but Jones’s taunting made her anxious.

It didn’t seem to matter that the police had released her as a suspect and kept the cases closed.

Jones wanted her to suffer, and though she may not have said vocally that she was, his actions were weighing on her mind heavily.

“Hello, Smiley.”

“Hey, babe. Do you have Jones’s number?”

“I have the number he called me from, but it’s no longer in service.”

“Damn.”

“Why? What’s wrong? Did he do something else?”

Sade massaged her temple. “He’s spamming my email and sent me some screenshots of conversations between Patrice and Trina.”

“Send that to me. I’ll start collecting everything he sends and keep a record of what he does. Even if he doesn’t slip up and do something that will tie it back to him, I’m going to take care of him, and this proof will explain why.”

“I take it things didn’t go well with the captain?”

Dante chuckled. “Not at all. He said they can’t do anything with solid proof.”

“Of course they can’t. What more proof do they need than him stealing my sister’s damn DNA?”

“I don’t know, bae. I know I told you I’d try to ignore him, but when I find him, it’s over. I can’t stand around and not do anything. That’s not the kind of man I am.”

“There has to be more to it than this. What about this case could have made him snap? I’m looking into it, but I’m not seeing any news reports or articles about him ever doing anything else like this.”

“Hmm...” Dante massaged his chin. “Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.

I doubt if this is the first time he’s gone rogue like this.

Maybe I should hire a private investigator.

If this is a pattern for him, that’ll help us build a better case against him.

And at the least, hopefully, they will help me track him down. ”

“That sounds like a good idea, baby. I can look up some since I’m already on the computer, and we can go through them together when you get home.”

“All right, Smiley. Do you need me to bring anything home?”

“Home...I love the sound of that.” Dante bit down on his bottom lip and moaned at the sight of her smile. “All I need is you.”

“Then I’ll be right there.”

Sade,

That lawyer you got me is amazing! He said there’s a really great chance I can leave here soon.

Instead of going to a board, I’ll be going straight in front of the judge.

I think that’s a good thing, right? That it’s just one person who will make the decision.

Either way, I’m really excited about the possibility of getting out of here.

The court date hasn’t been set. He said it could take up to ninety days. I don’t mind waiting. Hell, I’ve waited this long.

I reached out to Carmen’s grandparents. Not sure why I thought that would be a good idea.

I guess a part of me thought if they knew there was a chance I was getting out, they’d realize I wasn’t the monster their grief made me out to be.

I hoped they would have some mercy and remember what their son had done to me. But they don’t care.

They don’t care that I had to fight for my life almost every night. They don’t care that he subjected Carmen to the beatings. They didn’t care that I was so traumatized that I felt that was the only way to stop him. All they care about is that it was their son, and I took him away.

They are going to make getting my daughter back hard for me. I already know. But she’s worth that upcoming battle, and I won’t stop until I have her. I didn’t mean to burden you with that. You know I don’t talk to anyone in here about personal stuff. Thank you again...for everything.

Simone