Page 9 of His Wicked Revenge

“Yes,” I answer, even though her words appear more like a statement.

“In the state of Washington, that is a sentence of five years in prison.” My heart drops to my ass, and I forget how to breathe. “You will serve your sentence at the Washington Corrections Center without bail. However, inmates have been released early due to good behavior. I will grant you that, seeing as this is your first offense.”

A tiny sliver of hope in the darkness.

I could easily get released for good behavior.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I nod in response.

“That is it, then.” The woman removes her glasses, and her eyes slide to the man behind me. “Officer Colt, please take Mr. Madden back to the center.”

A hand wraps around my arm, and I’m tugged away from the judge. Our footsteps echo on the marble floor, and when the vast wooden door shuts behind us, it is with a loud slam.

The door closing reverberates through the empty lobby as Colt leads us toward the exit with his arm guiding me down the corridor.

Five years in prison—maybe even less—but thinking about it makes me realize that I have to contact my family.

As Officer Colt opens the van's back door for me, I stand still, turning my head to him, and say, “When we get back, I’d like to make my first phone call.”

CHAPTER 5

Leo

The dial tone buzzes loudly in my ear, and unlucky for me, I am stuck standing way too close to what has to be two of the largest inmates in this prison as we all take our phone calls.

One of the guys laughs loudly, his whole body shaking, causing him to bump into me. I have to huddle against the payphone to get some space from them.

My fingertip slowly punches in Myles's number; thankfully, I am the type of person who memorizes people’s phone numbers. After I hit the last digit, there is a pause before it begins to ring.

My stomach flips, and I feel like I am going to throw up.

On the whole ride back to the prison, I couldn’t think of a good way to tell Myles what had happened. There is no good way to tell your best friend that you ended up in prison because you helped the person you thought you were in love with escape.

“Hello?” His confused voice brings me to the present, making my heart beat faster.

“Hey, man…”

“Leo?” Confusion grows in his tone. “Why the hell are you calling me from a correction center?”

“I fucked up,” I tell him.

“Shit. Did they catch you guys having sex?”

I’m not surprised it is the first assumption that comes from him because being caught with Veronica was at the top of the list of things to worry about.

“No. We didn’t get caught having sex.” My voice remains low to ensure the two inmates on either side of me don’t hear. It isn’t like they would have heard with how loud they are talking.

“Okay? Then what happened that got you sent to prison?” The confusion that he voiced earlier has grown thicker.

“I told her yes.” They’re the only words that leave my mouth, and they come out shaky.

“You told her yes? Leo, what the hell are you—” Myles cuts himself off before the realization kicks in. “Goddamit, Leo! You fucking idiot! I told you to tell her no!”

“I know… fuck, I-I know! I did tell her no at first, and then after my mom’s funeral and dad’s speech, my emotions took over, and⁠—”

“And your dumb ass got caught running.” He sighs. “How much is your bail? I can be there in two hours to get you out.”