Family Ties and Sacrifices

Za’miyah’s POV

The front door creaked as I stepped into our tiny house. The smell of fried dumplings and saltfish greeted me, but instead of making my stomach rumble, it just reminded me of how tired I was.

“Miyah, yuh late!” Mama called from the kitchen. Her voice was sharp, but I knew she wasn’t angry. She was just tired too.

“I had to stay back at school,” I lied. If she knew I’d been walking home to save money, she’d only blame herself.

Jayden sat on the floor, scribbling in a torn-up notebook. His big eyes lit up when he saw me. “Za’miyah! Yuh promise fi help mi wid mi homework!”

I dropped my bag on the couch and crouched down beside him. “What yuh working on, champ?”

He held up the notebook proudly. “Maths. Miss say mi need practice, so mi trying.”

I ruffled his hair. “Alright, we’ll work on it after dinner.”

Mama stepped out of the kitchen, her face lined with worry. “Did yuh hear what Mrs. Daley say?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, Mama. Mi going to talk to her, don’t worry.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Miyah, yuh doing too much already. Mi can’t have yuh stressing like dis.”

“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Yuh just focus on resting. Mi handle everything.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t argue either. She just kissed my forehead and went back to the kitchen.

The weight of her trust settled heavily on my shoulders. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep this up.

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Zaire’s POV

The warehouse smelled of oil and sweat, the kind of place that had seen more blood than most morgues. I stood in the center, surrounded by my men. At my feet was a man on his knees, his face swollen and bloody.

“Baines send yuh fi tek what’s mine?” I asked, my voice low and calm.

The man shook his head frantically. “Nah, boss! Mi swear, mi nuh know anything!”

I crouched down, my face inches from his. “Yuh think mi stupid?”

He started sobbing, the sound grating on my nerves

Chapter 4: Family Ties and Sacrifices

Za’miyah’s POV

The front door creaked as I stepped into our tiny house. The smell of fried dumplings and saltfish greeted me, but instead of making my stomach rumble, it just reminded me of how tired I was.

“Miyah, yuh late!” Mama called from the kitchen. Her voice was sharp, but I knew she wasn’t angry. She was just tired too.

“I had to stay back at school,” I lied. If she knew I’d been walking home to save money, she’d only blame herself.

Jayden sat on the floor, scribbling in a torn-up notebook. His big eyes lit up when he saw me. “Za’miyah! Yuh promise fi help mi wid mi homework!”

I dropped my bag on the couch and crouched down beside him. “What yuh working on, champ?”

He held up the notebook proudly. “Maths. Miss say mi need practice, so mi trying.”

I ruffled his hair. “Alright, we’ll work on it after dinner.”

Mama stepped out of the kitchen, her face lined with worry. “Did yuh hear what Mrs. Daley say?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, Mama. Mi going to talk to her, don’t worry.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Miyah, yuh doing too much already. Mi can’t have yuh stressing like dis.”

“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Yuh just focus on resting. Mi handle everything.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t argue either. She just kissed my forehead and went back to the kitchen.

The weight of her trust settled heavily on my shoulders. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep this up.

---

Zaire’s POV

The warehouse smelled of oil and sweat, the kind of place that had seen more blood than most morgues. I stood in the center, surrounded by my men. At my feet was a man on his knees, his face swollen and bloody.

“Baines send yuh fi tek what’s mine?” I asked, my voice low and calm.

The man shook his head frantically. “Nah, boss! Mi swear, mi nuh know anything!”

I crouched down, my face inches from his. “Yuh think mi stupid?”

He started sobbing, the sound grating on my nerves. I didn’t have time for cowards.

“Finish it,” I said, standing up and walking away. Behind me, I heard the sickening crack of bone and the thud of a body hitting the floor.

Bishop caught up with me as I stepped outside. “That send the message yuh wanted?”

“Not yet,” I said. “Baines needs to know him crossed the wrong man.”

Bishop lit a cigarette and smirked. “So, what’s next?”

I didn’t answer. My mind was already elsewhere—on her.

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Za’miyah’s POV

The knock at the door startled me. We didn’t get visitors often, especially not at this time of night.

“Mama, stay inside,” I said, grabbing a kitchen knife just in case.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to see a man in a crisp black suit standing there. He looked out of place, like he belonged in New Kingston, not on my rundown street.

“Za’miyah Knight?” he asked, his voice smooth and polite.

I tightened my grip on the knife. “Who asking?”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “My name is Carter. I work for someone who would like to meet you.”

“Meet me?” I repeated, my heart pounding. “Why?”

“That’s not for me to say,” he said, handing me a card. “But he’s very interested in you. Call that number if you want to know more.”

Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the doorway with the card in my hand.

I looked down at it, my stomach twisting. It had a name I didn’t recognize and a phone number written in bold letters.

Whoever this person was, they weren’t from my world.

And I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

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Zaire’s POV

Bishop leaned against the car, watching me with a knowing smirk. “Yuh send Carter to her?”

“She won’t trust me if I come to her directly,” I said, lighting a cigar. “This way, she has a choice.”

Bishop shook his head. “Yuh really think she’ll call?”

I exhaled a cloud of smoke. “She will. She’s curious. And once she steps into my world, there’s no turning back.”

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