Page 143 of Heavy

“We are placing you under arrest for suspicion of arson, specifically for intentionally setting fire to your property—” As the female officer comes around toward me, Eamon attempts to stop her, but she pushes past him. “—endangering others and violating state arson laws.”

She grabs my upper arm and tears me from the hospital bed. I can hear Ronan shouting but it’s overpowered by a loud buzzing noise.

“You have the right to remain silent…”

I find it hard to breathe as I’m placed against the wall and the first set of cuffs locks around my wrist.

Ronan

Three Months Later

I still have a limp, but I’m grateful it doesn’t impede me from driving a normal Honda Civic. Why in God’s name does Lux have this damn thing. It’s so small, and he isn’t a tiny guy.

I’m struggling to get out of this plastic piece of shit, shifting my weight onto my left side as I shut the door and round the car toward the metal gates of DWCF.

I’m here five minutes before noon, the exact time that Cal is supposed to be walking out of her imprisonment. I’m excited to joke about her two months in prison for arson. Baby girl got lucky she had a great lawyer—who wasn’t her mother—and she had mitigating circumstances on her side.

Two months incarcerated, with twelve months of probation.

It’s been a difficult period of time, but it has given me a chance to begin rebuilding my relationship with my brother. When I wasn’t here seeing hereverysingle day, I was with Eamon, Ken, the boys, or Mia.

Calista gave me more than a woman to love, but a new view on my life. One that I can’t waste, and that starts with the prospect of living a full one with people that want to live it with me.

Although she’s given me a new outlook, it doesn’t take away from the punishment she’s going to be enduring.

The month leading up to her going in, she cried and was scared shitless of what awaited her. While I had no experience with women prisons, I gave her all the best tips; don’t drop the soap and eat fast. She had slapped me before I made love to her for hours. She had to do all the heavy lifting, and likely still will for the next several months.

The clinking of the metal gate has me moving once more to stand in front of it. It’s then I see her long blonde hair, braided over her shoulder just like I enjoy it, and rushing right out after me.

She drops the small bag a foot before reaching me, eagerly wrapping her arms around my neck. Knowing I’m still recovering, she doesn’t throw herself at me but holds me tightly instead. We had been in the cabin together for months, capable of touching each other, and to be forced behind a plastic barrier not being able to physically feel her was torture.

Drawing my hands up her back, I hold her just as tightly to me. “My convicted criminal,” I croon, before biting over her pierced earlobe.

“Alright, alright.” She gently rubs her head against the side of mine. “Already with the jokes.” Her hands come to my chest slowly before circling around my torso to my back and curving her body against mine. “I missed you.”

My fingers weave under her thick braid as I lean down and bury my face into the curve of her shoulder. “I missed you, too, baby girl.”

I place a kiss against her neck, and smile.

“I never wanted to jinx it,” she whispers against my shoulder. “But how were you able to come see me?”

Chuckling, I rub my nose against her neck. “Technically we are still‘family’.I asked Eamon not to put the divorce papers in until you were out…” Apparently, being a convicted felon means I’m barred from stepping foot in a prison or anything remotely similar. Honestly, it’s a bit frustrating. You can be elected president as a felon, but I can’t even enter a building.

But because we are family… I was able to get around it.

She holds onto me tighter, and I can’t help but think back to when it was me walking through gates like these. I hope this is the last time either of us ever has to see the inside of a prison, jail, or any cell that separates us from each other and the freedom we’ve both fought so hard for.

“I love you, Ronan.” She hums as she releases me slightly, just enough to come into my view and give me a smile that I’ve nearly died for. One that now, I’m ready to live for. “Thank you for coming and seeing me.”

“I love you, Cal. You definitely don’t need to thank me for that… I’m excited for our life together.” I place my hand against the side of her neck and pull her back in. As my lips press to hers, she eagerly opens up and drags her tongue against mine.

She turns her head and places her hands behind my neck.

“Take me home…” she coos into my mouth. “Wherever that is right now.”

“Motel 6,” I joke.

“Sounds glamorous. Can we stop to get greasy burgers?” She continues to kiss me through her demands. “French fries. And a Coke.”