Page 127 of The Protection Agreement

Ice sets the ice cream down and comes to stand beside me. I don’t answer his questioning look. I keep my eyes on my wife and her brother.

Then Jonah starts signing to her.

She steps back. Her face shifts. I can tell he just told her about our marriage.

I start to move toward them, but Ice holds me back. I glare at him.

She signs back. I don’t understand it, but her face tells me she’s upset. The exchange lasts a few moments, then she suddenly stops, breathing hard, tears running down her face.

The next thing I know, my hands are around Jonah’s throat, his back slammed into the wall.

“What the fuck did you say to her?!” I roar.

I tighten my grip. Ice tries pulling my hands off, but I don’t let go.

“What did you say to her?!” I yell again.

Jonah can’t speak, but there’s a smirk on his face that only pushes me further.

“He can’t speak. You’re choking him!” Ice shouts.

He’s not fighting back, rather he’s giving me the look that I’ve just lost. Still, all I feel is the anger that he made her cry, then I feel her hands on my back forcefully. Pulling

“Let him go!” Jola yells.

I release Jonah and turn. She’s shaking. I pull her into my arms immediately, trying to steady myself.

“He said I should get my bag only, and I’m leaving with him,” she whispers.

“No!” I growl.

“I need to speak to my sister alone,” Jonah says, coughing.

I ignore him.

“She and I will speak alone first. Then you can talk to her,” I say, still holding her.

“Fine,” he snaps.

“Let’s go,” she whispers.

I release her and take her to our room. The moment the door closes, I pull her in and kiss her hard, everything I’m feeling spilling into it. Anger, fear, love, all of it.

She breaks the kiss.

“Let’s talk,” she says.

I step back. I’m used to reading her, but I can’t read her now.

“How come I didn’t know you could sign?” I blurt out.

“It’s Yoruba sign language. My mom taught me, and I taught Jonah. It’s our secret way of talking when people are around.”

“He told me about the promise you made to your dad.” I lock eyes with her. She sighs.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. That’s why I was upset when you said we were married. I needed to speak to him first, but he came before I could.”

I hear the conflict in her voice. I realize I pushed too far.