And they weren’t going to go easy on a guard just because she was smaller than them and a woman. They would go just as hard on her as they would any person standing in the way of the thing they wanted.
Which was why, when she was on shift, I always had this sort of… feeling. A feeling that made me nauseous. Scared that I might look away and she might be in some trouble, and I wouldn’t be able to get there fast enough—or at all.
“I’ve been thinking much the same thing,” I admitted. “It terrifies me that she’s going to get hurt one day and I’m going to have a locked goddamn cell door between us and all I’ll be able to do is watch.”
Bronx’s eyes took in my shadow, the one that was there at all times if she was able.
“You know,” Bronx murmured. “She could be anywhere all over the room, yet she’s here, next to you, so she can see you. The only way she’d be able to see you better is to get behind me, but that would put her too close to the douche behind us. So she’s being smart, while also letting you know that she’s not far away.”
I felt my stomach clench because Bronx was right.
That was her way of letting me know that she was close. That she wasn’t going to go anywhere.
I raised my hands and rubbed the palms down the length of my face.
The metal of the handcuffs around my wrists clinked.
I really fucking hated handcuffs.
Like, if I never saw, heard, or felt cold metal clinking against cold metal again, it would be too soon.
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.