Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“You need to leave,” I said, trying not to let my voice waver and failing miserably.
“Step away from the inmate, Miss Brentner. He’s trying to grab you.” Grayson’s smile was oily and instantly made my skin crawl.
“He’s doing no such thing! What are you doing?” This couldn’t be happening.
“I’m protecting you from an inmate who is getting violent. Now please step away before you get hurt.”
Oh, the implications were crystal clear. Chuck was going to die no matter what. The only question was whether or not I died with him. Chuck understood and whimpered in fear.
“No one’s getting hurt!” I snapped, standing solidly between Chuck and Grayson. “Get out of the ward, Grayson. Now!”
The doors to the infirmary burst open and a group of about twenty guards stormed into the room. Chuck gave a startled, fearful yelp but didn’t say anything. I recognized Roberts and Johnson at the head of the pack of men and relief swamped me. Maybe everything wouldn’t come crashing down on me. Today.
The guards surrounded Chuck, leaving Grayson to pull back and give his account to Roberts before I could. This was going to be tricky, and I had no idea who I could trust. Before he’d been released, Dr. Raven -- Pain -- said to go to Roberts or Johnson if anything happened so maybe I could feel things out from there. I was happy he was out, but I really, really wish he was here right now.
Behind me, Chuck grunted in pain and I couldn’t stand by and let the guards beat him up. “Stop! Don’t hurt him!”
“Please step back, Miss Brentner,” one of them said in a crisp no-nonsense manor. “We’ve got to restrain this sack of shit before we take him to solitary.”
“He didn’t do anything. I hit my body alarm, but not because of anything Chuck did. He’s completely innocent and I will sign an affidavit to that effect.”
Finally, the guard looked startled and a bit unsure. “Hold up, guys.” I thought he called the halt reluctantly, but maybe I was living in the drama. Chuck still whimpered and was shaking like a leaf, but he kept mostly silent. “Grayson! You were here. What the fuck happened?”
“I’ll talk to Roberts,” I said. “I was here too. In fact, I was the one who pressed the damned alarm in the first Goddamned place.” I was fed up with this fucking shit. Judging by the look on Guard Roberts’ face, he knew it too. “Now, if someone could please get Dr. Martinez, I need her to check Chuck over to make sure he’s not been reinjured.” I have no idea where my backbone came from, but I could tell it took more than one of them by surprise. Particularly Grayson, who now looked at me like I was public enemy number one and he was fucking J. Edgar Hoover.
“You heard the lady.” Guard Johnson motioned for all the guards but one to leave then spoke into his radio. “Infirmary all clear. Threat contained.” Johnson and the person on the other end of the radio traded a few more exchanges which sounded like codes or something. Probably authenticating the all-clear.
“Come with me, Miss Brentner.” Roberts waved his hand in the direction of the offices. It was also the way out of the infirmary and to the main part of the prison. Where there were more guards I didn’t trust.
“How about we use Dr. Martinez’s office. I’m sure she won’t mind.” I saw the woman in question come up behind Roberts when I spoke and smiled at her.
“Sure. What happened, Nadine? Are you hurt?”
“No. I promise. I’m fine. I’ll explain later, but would you mind staying with Mr. Smith until we get done?” I held the other woman’s gaze for several seconds while she glanced around the room taking it all in, her eyes narrowing before she
Dr. Martinez gave me a hard look. “What happened, Nadine? Tell me.”
I turned to Roberts, giving him a pleading look. “Is there someone you trust to stay with Doc? I mean really trust. Johnson maybe?”
Roberts gave me a hard look before nodding slowly. “Yeah. I’ll get Johnson. Livingston, too. He’s on the approved list.”
I had no clue what an approved list was, but I hoped he knew what he was doing. “Roberts?” He held my gaze. “Make sure Grayson isn’t alone with any of the women.”
Unsurprisingly, Roberts nodded. “Understood. Now, take me to Doc’s office because I think I need to hear this.”
Ten minutes later, after telling him everything relevant that I knew, Roberts stormed out of the office and back to the main ward. “Johnson, stay here. No one comes inside the infirmary unless they’re on the list. And if you see that fuckin’ cunt, Grayson, help him have an accident.” Dr. Martinez gasped, but when she looked from Roberts to me, then to Chuck, she didn’t say anything. “Nadine?” -- he pointed a finger at me -- “you stay here. Don’t leave with anyone other than me or Johnson. Understand?”