Chapter 79

CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE

ZAIN

She's almost vibrating with her need to get away from me. It's in every breath she takes, every glance toward me. She doesn't believe me about her mom. She wants to check for herself.

And why should she believe me? I've threatened her mom's freedom at every turn. But she's going to have to wait until this interview is over before she can find out whether I'm telling the truth or not, because I need to keep her beside me while this interview plays out.

I answer the rest of Roxy's questions, with only half of my attention on her. They're straightforward enough that I don't really need to think about my answers.

What was it like in prison?

How did it feel when I was told I was going to be released?

What went through my mind when Peter approached me with his wish to take my case?

What are my future plans?

That last one makes me pause. I haven't thought about my plans beyond revenge and results.

"I'm taking it one day at a time. There are things I'd like to do, but for now I'm going to spend time with my wife, and my family."

Ashley tenses at my words, and once again, tries to free her hand from mine.

"Are you going to have a honeymoon?"

"I've just got out of prison. Every day right now is a honeymoon for me."

"Thank you for taking the time to talk to MO-TV today, Zain." Roxy turns to the camera. "Over to you Meghan in the studio."

She smiles brightly, and waits.

"And … cut. Perfect. Thank you!" The producer strides across to us, hand outstretched. "Thank you so much for allowing us to do this today, Zain."

"Thank you for allowing me to share my side of things."

He leans closer. "Off the record, can you tell us who has been arrested and on what charge?"

"I'm sorry, I can't. If you want that information, you'll need to go down to the station and ask. I'm sure they'll prepare a statement at some point." I adjust my grip on Ashley's hand, linking our fingers together, and ignore the way her eyes are boring into the side of my head. "Now, if you don't mind, I really need to speak to my wife in private."

I don't wait for a reply, and stride away, pulling her along with me. Once we're inside, I continue walking along the hallway until I reach the front door.

"Where are we going?"

"Back to my house. "

She stops. "I'm not going back there."

"You'll go wherever I tell you to go." It's an asshole statement, but I need to get out of here, and away from all the eyes watching us.

When she still doesn't move, I sigh. "There are members of the TV crew out on the drive. You can walk out, or I can carry you out. Pick one. I'm sure the footage will be an extra bonus for the show."

"Where's my mom?"

"I'm not a mindreader. I have no idea."

"I want to call her."

"Fuck's sake. Fine." I take her cell out of my back pocket, find her mom's number in the contacts list, and hit dial. Once it starts ringing, I toss it to her. "You have one minute."

"Mom? Mom, where are you?" She doesn't take her eyes off me. "No, no reason. I … I just wasn't sure if you were coming to Zain's parents' place or not … Did you … What? No, I don't know who's been arrested."

"Thirty seconds," I murmur.

"I have to go …. Mom? Mom, listen to me … Married? What? Yes … I need to go. I'll explain later, I promise." She ends the call.

There's movement behind her, and I look over her shoulder just as Marissa and my mom walk out of the living room. They must have taken refuge in there, out of the way. The second they spot Ashley, they stop.

"Where is she?" I need to make sure she doesn't say anything that will give any indication to what's really going on between us. Not while the other two women are standing there .

"At the antique store. She watched the interview on the television there. Who is?—"

I can't allow her to finish that sentence, so I do what I need to do. "Mom. Marissa. Is everything okay?"

The color drains from Ashley's face.

"Zain, no." She mouths the words.

I ignore her, take the phone out of her hand, and cross the floor to stand in front of the two women. "I'm sorry I didn't warn you in advance about the arrest."

"Have you found the person who murdered my son?" Marissa's voice is shaking.

"It's a work in progress."

"Who is it?"

I shake my head. "I can't say. Not yet. The sheriff is still investigating some things, but I promise, I'll tell you everything as soon as I can."

"Zain, you should have said something. Dropping the news that someone is being arrested like that … without warning us. What were you thinking?" My mom's voice on the other hand is sharp.

"Why the hell do you think I arranged the interview in the first place? It wasn't to share recipes I might have learned while I was locked up. The entire point was to prove my innocence. Do you honestly believe that just because I've been released everyone has changed their mind about me? Do you think people don't look at me when I pass them and wonder if I just had a better lawyer this time around? As soon as I had information on who might have done it, why the fuck would I stay silent? I couldn't warn you. If anyone had overheard?—"

"Zain!" My dad's voice booms out. "Enough. You're upsetting your mother."

I spin to face him. "It's not intentional, I assure you."

"Did you discuss this arrest with Peter beforehand?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because contrary to what everyone seems to think, I'm not the twenty-year-old kid who was imprisoned for murder. I'm thirty-four years old, and I'm more than capable of making decisions for myself." My voice is just as aggressive as my father's.

"Do those decisions include marrying a woman you've only known for twenty-four hours?"

Ashley makes a sound from behind me, and I turn my head to seek her out.

"My reasons for marrying Ashley are my own, and none of your business."