Page 39 of The Mood Board

“I wish I knew where he had come up with evidence for that,” Bailey growled, her hands curling into fists again. “But when I find them, it won’t be pretty.”

I believed her and was half afraid the guards in the room would, too.

“You sure you want to say that here?” I asked, half joking.

The comment managed to pull a genuine smile from Bailey, but I didn’t care how small—I was just glad to see it, even if it only lasted for a moment before her expression grew serious again.

“I promise,” she said, “I’m going to get you out of here. I don’t care what it takes.”

I chuckled, though I could see just how serious she was. “Just don’t do anything stupid so you land in jail, too.”

“Well, maybe it would be worth it if I get thrown into the same cell as you.” Bailey’s reply came with a curl to her lips, and I chuckled again.

“Let’s try not to, okay? I don’t have any jailhouse fantasies to fulfill.”

We both shared a smile, which seemed like a miracle considering the grim circumstances.

“One minute left,” the guard said. I had forgotten he was there. He hadn’t been able to hear our conversation, but it still felt like an intrusion.

Everything in prison was intrusive.

“I’ll come back. I’ll visit you every day if I have to until we figure this out,” Bailey said, her words taking on a frantic edge.

I held my hand up again for her to meet. “Bailey, you have a business to run. You can’t put your life on hold for me.”

“I can and I will. My business will be fine. You’re my priority.” Bailey held my gaze through the glass.

“Time’s up.” The guard came up behind me, ready to take me back to my cell. “Stand up.”

“I promise I’ll get you out of here,” Bailey said, her words a frantic rush as she stood up to match my forced movement, phones still held to our ears even if we had to bend. “You’re not alone in this.”

“I love you, Bailey. Be careful, please,” I said as the guard’s hand clamped around the phone.

“I love you, and you be careful, too.” I heard the muffled words and read them on her lips just before the guard hung up the receiver.

“Let’s go,” he said, his hand at my elbow to lead me away.

Once more, my last view of Bailey was as she watched me being led away, a stricken look on her face. She didn’t want me to face this alone, but I hated that she had to go through this alone, too.

This entire thing was a nightmare.