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)
“What’s going to happen?”
“Do you understand, Nadine?” This time, Roberts took a step toward me, putting a hard, threatening edge to his words, making my heart race. In fear. This was why we made good money. No matter what part of this place a person worked in, there was always an element of risk. I hadn’t been blind to the danger before, but I’d thought myself safe as long as I followed the rules. Now, I was seriously reevaluating my life choices.
“Yes. I understand.” I went to Dr. Martinez who looked as wide-eyed as I’m sure I did. “I’m sorry, Rachel.” I never called the other woman by her first name. It was a form of respect I tried to honor.
“This isn’t your fault, Nadine. But what’s going on?”
I pulled her in and whispered softly for her ears alone. “Grayson threatened me. I have no doubt he’d have killed me if everyone hadn’t gotten here as quickly as they did.”
“What the hell caused this shit?” Dr. Martinez was furious. She was also scared; I could see it in her eyes.
“I’m not sure, but I think it might have something to do with Pain being released.”
Dr. Martinez narrowed her gaze, looking off. “That actually makes sense. I thought I caught him looking at the two of you when he worked in here, but I figured it was just him keeping an eye on everyone so nothing went off the rails.”
“I’ve never been inappropriate with Pain, Dr. Martinez.” I knew my eyes were wide, but I couldn’t help it. Almost every woman who worked the infirmary with Dr. Raven had made no secret she’d fuck him in a heartbeat. If I was being honest, I understood it. The man was sex on a stick, but sexy or not, he was still an inmate. It was more than inappropriate to get involved with a prisoner. I knew not everyone had the same feelings. Some did whatever they wanted, and I knew there were female guards as well as medical staff who disregarded that rule.
“Honey, of all people, you are the last person I’d accuse of fucking an inmate.”
“We worked here together. That’s all. We kept our conversations professional for the most part. We talked about our pasts, but I didn’t bring it up unless he did. Then I mostly listened.”
“I know. I think that man spoke to you more than anyone else in this place combined. So the question is, why does Grayson care if you and Dr. Raven have a relationship?”
“I’m not sure. Unless…” I trailed off as a thought occurred to me. “Oh, my God. This is because I’ve been looking into accidents. The ones I’ve worked, anyway. Some are really accidents, but there have been several I questioned.”
“Let me guess,” Dr. Martinez began dryly, “Grayson is the common denominator?”
“You’ve seen it too then.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. I suspected, I just hadn’t had time to put it all together.”
“I was going to bring it to you when I had as much information as I could get. But Pain got released, and Grayson has been making more and more inappropriate comments ever since, but nothing overt until all this happened.”
“Miss Brentner?” From across the room, Chuck called to me. I glanced at Dr. Martinez before moving quickly to Chuck’s side. Johnson was like a silent shadow. Chuck glanced at Johnson and swallowed. “Never mind.”
“Son, if it has anything to do with Grayson, tell the lady.” Johnson’s tone was gentle, but there was still a bite to it. “The more information we have the better. Trust me when I tell you Grayson won’t touch you or anyone else again.”
Chuck nearly sobbed in relief before looking back at me wide-eyed. “Is he fuckin’ with me? Is this a test of some kind?”
“No.” I took his hand, which was now handcuffed to the bed. “He’s not fucking with you, Chuck. We know Grayson’s a bad guy.”
“He’s not the only one.” Chuck’s words sent a chill up my spine, but, honestly, it was expected. If something goes on for long enough, there will always be more than one person involved.
“Christ.” Dr. Martinez sat heavily in a nearby chair. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Grayson,” Chuck started. “He’s got a group of buddies, and they like to find a couple of the newer guys to pick on every few months. Me and Jermaine, they pick on both of us because we just came up from juvie. Jermaine got here before me, but we’re both young. I guess we were easy targets.”
My stomach churned as I listened, but I kept my face as neutral as I could. Inside, though, I was a hurricane of emotions. Horror at what this kid had been through, rage at the guards who’d abused their power, and fear. Bone-deep, ice-cold fear. Because I knew how dangerous this knowledge was. To myself, yes, but more so to Chuck and Jermaine.