Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“There is one guard you could try and look into. His name is Xander. I don’t know his last name, but he’s young and he’s really friendly.”
Spike nods. “We’ll see what we can find out. Until then, you need to lay low. Keep out of trouble. We don’t need any extra attention being brought to you.”
If only it were that easy.
Jackson’s jaw is tight as he continues to stare at me. He’s angry that I’ve been in a fight, and I feel horrible about it, but I also know what I need to do to get through.
“Other than that, are you okay?” Addi asks.
I nod. “I’m okay. I have a few people now who help me. Is Ava okay?”
Saying her name has my heart clenching.
I miss her so much it makes me feel sick to my stomach.
If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t accept this plan.
Right now, I’ll do anything to hold her in my arms again.
“She’s great.” Addi smiles, warmly. “She’s as crazy as you are, babbling all the time, and she is obsessed with pulling my hair.”
I laugh, but that laugh quickly turns to tears, unstoppable tears. They hit me like a freight train and without warning. I press a hand to my mouth and stare down at the table as drop after drop splatters onto it. I miss her. I miss him. I want to go home.
“Hey,” Jackson says, his voice low. “Baby, look at me.”
I look up at him, and I see now, his eyes are soft.
“We will get you out of here.”
“I hate that I can’t see her,” I croak. “That I can’t touch you ...”
“Won’t be long,” Spike assures me. “Got to trust us.”
I do trust them.
That’s not what scares me.
What scares me is remaining here and something happening before I can get out.
What if I never see my daughter again?
HOUND’S LACKEYS EYES follow me as I move to sit beside Mama. She has invited me over to her group of ladies and made sure that they all know to take care of me. They automatically took me in, based purely on her word alone. They respect her, and so do I. That doesn’t mean I feel safe, though.
But Hound’s girl is there, she’s always there.
Watching.
Grinning.
Tormenting me.
He’s going to make a move, and he’s going to do it soon.
I’m afraid of how bad that might be.
“He won’t touch you here,” Mama assures me, patting my hand before taking a bite of the sloppy mashed potato on her plate. “You have to watch your back, though. Hound is sly, and he has a lot of people on his side.”
I nod, moving my gaze to the girl I started a fight with. She isn’t looking at me, but I know she’s probably going to retaliate, too. I can only hold my head high and pray that it’s enough for them to believe I can handle it.
Xander stands by the door—he is on duty tonight. His arms are crossed, but when our eyes meet, he offers me a small smile. Yeah, he’s one of the good ones alright, and the problem with that is that I worry he has nothing the club can use against him to have him help me.
I don’t like the idea of blackmailing him.
“He’s a good guard,” Mama murmurs, watching where I’m staring. “Keep him in your corner.”
I turn to face her. “I’m on yard duty this afternoon. I’m concerned being out there because it’s a lot less protected. I heard sometimes they mix the males and females out in the yard?”
Mama’s eyes flash, and she frowns. “They do, and Hound is always in the yard. If he has it his way, he’ll make sure you’re out there together.”
My heart skips a beat.
I swallow. “How do I avoid him?”
“Stay near the guards. If you see him coming, do something, anything, to get yourself away from him. I don’t care if you have to throw a punch at another inmate, don’t let him near you.”
My food lodges in my throat at the thought of having to start a fight just to protect myself.
It’s sad that’s my only option.
“Keep your chin up. Mama pats my hand. “Don’t let him smell your fear.”
I’m afraid it’s too late for that.
He knows that I’m afraid of him, I always have been.
I’m doing my best not to show him, but that isn’t always easy.
I slowly eat my food, and then we head back to our cells.
I’m not looking forward to the groundwork I am set to do in a few hours because that means I’m less protected. I keep Mama’s advice in my mind and try to prepare myself as best I can.
By the time we’re all gathered for our duties, my stomach is twisting with anxiety.
I’m situated with two other girls weeding the gardens, which, thankfully, doesn’t seem to be near the men. But I did see him, and for a split second our eyes met, and he grinned. A familiar grin, one I remember so well. It made me sick to my stomach.