Page 13

Afew weeks later

Al squirmed in his seat, unable to get comfortable in the hard plastic chair. The cinderblock walls of the visiting room were painted white, decorated with a few posters reminding inmates to keep their voices down and that education was key.

He’d chosen a seat at the end, next to the wall. Despite the thin partitions between booths that were meant to offer privacy, he could always hear what the visitor next to him was saying. After a few minutes, the door on the other side of the thick window opened and several inmates entered. Ben sat in front of him. His face was haggard, and despite his beard, Al could see his cheeks were gaunt. Ben picked up the phone.

“Al, what are you doing here? And in uniform?”

“Checking up on you, obviously. I couldn’t come as your friend because of solitary, but as official business …” Alshrugged. When he had told Christian about the situation, the sheriff was more than willing to sign off on the paperwork.

Ben studied Al’s uniform. “I know you told me you were a deputy, but until now, I honestly couldn’t see it. It looks good on you.”

“Ben.” Al smirked. “Everything looks good on me.”

Ben groaned, but Al was relieved to see some of the dullness fade out of his friend’s eyes.

“I appreciate the reprieve from the hole, however you managed it.”

“Yeah, about that. Jeannie’s been worried sick. What the hell happened? And how do you join a motorcycle club without a motorcycle?”

“They waive that requirement when you’re locked up.” Ben shrugged. “And in here, you have to be part of something. The lone ranger thing does not work out well. I learned that early on. My last cellmate was the president, or former president, so it made sense.”

“Yeah, but what about now?”

“I still have some protection.” Ben looked around and lowered his voice as he continued. “That’s how I landed in solitary. It’s not ideal, but it keeps the other guys off my back for now.”

“And later? You can’t stay in the hole for ten more years.”

Ben scoffed. “Of course not. The Reapers have alliances with other clubs. By the time I’m back in general pop, they’ll have worked something out for me.

“And if not?”

“Then I’ll do what I have to.” Ben’s eyes narrowed, showing a hard edge that Al had not seen before.

“And what the hell does that mean?”

“Can’t tell you that.”

“Come on, Ben. Talk to me. I’m your best friend.”

“Take a look in the mirror. We’ll always be friends, and I’ll always appreciate how you’ve taken care of my sister, but we’re on different paths now. I’m happy for you, I truly am. But things will never be the same as they were.”

“So you mean you’re going to,” Al flailed his hands around, making a variety of motions that ended with him closing his eyes and tilting his head to the side with his tongue sticking out.

Ben shook his head. “No idea what the hell that was supposed to be, but yeah, probably.”

Fuck. Al rubbed his hand over his face. His friend was not a killer. He’d gotten into a few fights growing up. That was inevitable where they lived, but everyone had always walked away. Prison had changed Ben, made him harder. Al didn’t blame him for needing to protect himself, but he hated that it was necessary. Hated that he’d been wronglyconvicted and was now forced to do terrible things just to survive. Now, more than ever, he knew Jeannie was right. Not about them just being a one-night stand, but about needing to put Ben first.

“We’ve hired a new attorney. She’s one of the best in the state. She should be in touch this week. That’s why I wanted to meet with you first, so you’d know to expect her.”

Ben rolled his eyes, and Al fought back a smile. Brother and sister were so much alike. “I told y’all to stop with that. I’ve missed so much already that it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Al’s heart broke. “And we told you, we’ll never stop until you’re out of here. I took a new gig, and the sign-on bonus was enough for the attorney to get started. She’s requesting a transfer. Then when I get my full payment for the gig, she’ll work on reviewing the evidence and all that crap.”

Ben raised an eyebrow. “What kind of gig pays that much? You’ve got a good life now, you and Jeannie. I don’t want you doing anything to jeopardize that.”

Al snorted. “Thanks, dad. But it’s strictly on the up and up. Jeannie and sheriff approved, as a matter of fact.” And now it was Al’s turn to roll his eyes.

“Keep talking,” Ben said, the hint of a smile reaching his lips. “Now I know it has to be something good.”