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I heard that goddamn sound in my dreams.
“I talked to another lawyer today,” Bronx said, surprising me. “He said he thinks he could maybe get you…”
I held up my hand. “Bronx, we’re done wasting money. I know that you want to help. And I know you think that if you find just the right person, it’ll get me out of here. But it won’t. If I was able to be out, I’d be out. I’m here. For another four fucking years at least. This is my business. Let me deal with it. I’m the one who fucked up, so I’m the one that’s going to have to pay for that fuck up.”
Bronx’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve filled out my paperwork. I’m officially out of the US Army as of next week.”
I felt my back stiffen.
“But Bronx, you…” I started, feeling a surge of emotion roll through me.
Bronx held up his hand this time.
“What were you just saying about it being your business, and to let you handle it?” Bronx drawled.
I wanted to reach across the table and deck him in the throat.
Although Bronx might’ve been okay with it, I was sure the guards wouldn’t be.
Which was why, instead of strangling him, I clenched my hands into fists on top of the table and narrowed my eyes.
“You’re being dumb,” I growled.
“I’m being honest,” he countered. “I can’t work for a place that just leaves its most valued and trusted employees to die a slow death. I just can’t. That’s why the rest of us are getting out.”
“The rest of you?” I felt like I was strangling.
“All of us are getting out. Jim has two more months then he’s out. Ale and Jack are out as of last week. Tom’s out in four months,” Bronx spoke nonchalantly.
“Son of a bitch.” I felt a headache forming behind my eyes. “Why?”
The ‘why’ sounded strangled.
“Because we love you, brother,” Bronx said. “And family sticks together. Also, did you know that Ames is spreading it far and wide that she’s going to sue you? She ‘can’t raise this baby alone without some help financially.’”
I felt sick to my stomach for an altogether different reason.
Linda Ames, better known as Drill Sergeant Ames, had been seeing Brees when I’d beaten the shit out of him.
They hadn’t been married, and when Brees was dishonorably discharged, he had lost all of his benefits. Ames hadn’t received anything from Brees.
And when she’d found out she was pregnant through the first half of my sentencing, she’d let it be known far and wide that I was at fault for her baby not having a working father.
Though, let’s just admit now that Brees wasn’t at fault for attacking a female recruit and trying to rape her in the dark.
No, Brees wasn’t at fault at all…
“Time’s up!” I heard a male voice bellow. “Everybody out.”
I sighed and looked at my brother.
And, before anyone could say anything, I leaned forward and smacked my brother on the head with the open palm of my hand.
Bronx laughed and stood up.
“Don’t be stupid,” I told him. “I know that you’re trying to help, but I don’t want you in the cell behind me. And keep an eye on Ames for me, too. Let me know if anything else happens that I don’t know about.”
After everyone filed out, it was only me and the woman that wasn’t appearing to try very hard to keep her distance any longer.
“Your brother and family are good to you,” she said softly.
My eyes lifted to meet hers. “Yours are, too. We’re both lucky.”
She nodded once and fell into step beside me.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” she murmured quietly as we walked.
The stupid chains were clinking so loud that I could barely hear her.
“About what?” I asked, trying not to allow my heart to take off in my chest.
I could smell her.
She smelled like baby powder and apples.
I nearly groaned as I shuffled, the chains between my legs not allowing me to take any more than a half step.
She kept pace with me, however.
“I heard your brother talking about Brees and his baby with Ames. I…” She paused. “They moved to town somewhere close to here. I think that she’s likely here to start up trouble.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I’m not from here. I don’t know anyone here. She can’t even access me. I’m not worried in the least,” I admitted. “You probably should stay out of her way, though. Ames is the type of vindictive bitch that would fuck your life up.”
“Same goes for me,” she admitted. “I’m not from here. I don’t know anybody here. When I go to the grocery store, I put on a ball cap and my headphones so nobody will talk to me. So yeah, I don’t think she can start anything up with me.”
That made me sad that she didn’t have anyone here.
