Page 11

Jeannie stepped out of the bathroom, her body dripping wet and the small towel doing little to hide her delicious curves. Checking his watch, he saw that they still had a little time before they needed to leave. Not enough time to do everything he wanted, but he could make it work.

“I brought the best the continental breakfast had to offer. I think I deserve a reward for my high-quality foraging.” He moved closer and noticed her eyes were red and puffy. “Woah, what the hell happened?”

“They canceled our visit.” She walked to her bag and took out the sweats he’d packed for her. Not her typical outfit, but he’d wanted to keep it modest for a prison visit. “I just want to go home.”

“Canceled?” Al sat on the bed and tried to focus on her words and not the view of her naked body sliding into her bra and panties. “Why would they do that?” This couldn’t be good. The visit had been scheduled online, just like they’d done every month for the last ten years. The only time they’d had a visit canceled in the past was during a hurricane.

Tears fell down her face. “He’s been hurt.”

“Hurt?” Al sat up straight. Accidents didn’t happen in prison. If Ben was injured, it was because someone hurt him.

“There was a fight. He’ll be in the infirmary for a few days, and then he’s being moved to solitary. They said it’s for his safety, but he’s not allowed to have visitors for ninety days.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“I know. Ben gets beat up, and they punish him for it?”

“I went through training with a guy that works as a guard at Central Prison. Let me see what I can find out.” Al grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found the one he was looking for. After sending a text, he sat next to Jeannie and put his arm around her.

“Daniel will tell us exactly what happened. Until then, try not to worry.”

“Easier said than done.” She crossed her arms over her chest. The water dripped from her hair, forming a wet patch on the bed. He grabbed another towel from the bathroom and stood behind her. He placed the towel against her head and squeezed the water out.

Her body remained frozen while he added the leave-in conditioner and combed it through her hair. When they were in elementary school, he and Ben had taken turns dealing with Jeannie’s unruly hair. Her knots were legendary, which is why they took turns. But the job that had once been a chore was now a privilege.

The phone rang as he was wiping his hands on the towel.

“Daniel?” He flipped the phone to speaker.

“Yeah, hey, Al. Sorry to call, but this isn’t the kind of news you want to text.”

Al’s eyes met Jeannie’s and she reached for his hand.

“I’m with Ben’s sister. Just tell us what happened.”

“It’s not good. I’m not sure if you are aware, but Ben has affiliated himself with the Exiled Reapers MC.”

“With who?” Jeannie asked.

Al turned to her. “They’re a motorcycle club in the next county over. They splintered off from the Grimm’s Reapers MC that we have here in town ages ago. Apparently, when Christian’s dad was first elected sheriff, he told the original crew to either get straight or get gone. Some stayed and got straight, and others left and formed a new club.” Al shook his head.

“Anyway, when did he do that? I had no idea.”

“That’s not something our inmates tend to share with family during visiting hours. His former cellmate was Sinner Malone, the club’s ex-president, so it made sense for Ben to join.”

Jeannie let out a loud sob. Al wrapped an arm around her.

“How bad was he hurt?”

“Shanked in the side, but luckily, the guards found him quickly. He needed thirty stitches, but he’ll survive. The real problem is he lost his protection when Sinner got early parole. Solitary will keep him safe for now, but isolation has its own challenges.”

Jeannie wiped the tears from her face. “What about when hegets out of solitary?”

“Honestly? They’ll keep coming for him until he dies or joins a new crew.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Al asked.

Daniel snorted. “Other than work a miracle and get him transferred outta this place? No.”