I refuse to lie to her. “In the eyes of our legal system, no, they shouldn’t have. I don’t know much, or anything really, about your religion, so I can’t speak to how a marriage works, but outside your compound…here in my world? Never.”
“I didn’t know that,” she whispers. Her voice sad.
“You wouldn’t have, baby. Within your community, you have different rules than we do, I understand that. Now, fill me in on this boy.” I’m trying to lift her spirits again.
“His name is Lochlan Hogan, but I’ve heard his brothers call him Loch. He’s quiet, shy, but so sweet. I had hoped to see him smile one time. But then he saw me, scowled, and left.” Her frown has me laughing.
“Oh, he is most certainly interested,” I tell her through my peals of laughter.
“Do you think?”
“I don’t think, Sage, I know. But I need you to promise me something.”
“Of course,” she eagerly vows.
“I need you to not dress like this unless it’s for you. You don’t need to change who you are for a boy, and with your parents’ permission, of course.”
“Okay,” she murmurs but there’s no conviction behind it, so I’m not sure if she’ll keep dressing like this for him to notice her, or if she won’t tell her parents that this is what she wants.
“I also need you to stay away from him. You don’t want him to get in trouble, right? Or you for that matter. You have plenty of time to catch his interest. I just want you to wait until you’re legal.”
Her nodding is a little too vigorous, and I’m afraid she might nod her head right off. I’m also afraid it’s her that is going to be the one in trouble.
Declan
I shouldn’t have done it. I know that, but I did. I read her file. She was beaten to within nearly an inch of her life. They did nothing! Didn’t help that my stubborn fucking woman wouldn’t rat her assailant out. It happened in the dead of night, though. It shouldn’t have been too difficult to figure out.
I’m sitting outside of Fluvanna Prison at this shitty run-down diner that I’ve heard most inmates go to upon their release, trying like hell not to go over there and cause the biggest shit storm they’ll ever know. Ashley’s old cellmate is my target. There is an insinuation in her file that this other woman might try to go after her once she is released. I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.
Being in contact with Tatiyana Lopez’s parole officer, he’s already confirmed that Ana, as she likes to be called, is a troublemaker. This is the third time she’s been to jail, and the third time she’s been appointed to his watch. He’s told me, in no uncertain terms, to “put the fear of God into the bitch”. I have a feeling he doesn’t give a fuck what his parolees do unless they cause problems.
A woman that matches her description walks out of the gates across the street. I shake my head as she gives the guards the finger and yells something I can’t hear at them before another woman drags her away.
I watch as they walk to a car and think I’m going to have to follow them until they do a sharp turn and come towards the diner. “Bingo,” I murmur as the bell signals their entrance. Their loud ruckus disturbs most patrons as they make their way to a booth. As a waitress approaches them and takes their drink order, I toss a few bills on the table, done with the thing on my plate.
As soon as I stand, I can see I’ve caught their attention. Good. Tatiyana and her friend damn near eye fuck me as I walk over to them, and I’m ready to hurl the sludge they call coffee I was served. Approaching their table, I smirk, and what they may think is an opening is only my cheer over my victory at making them complacent.
“Mind if I sit?” I ask Tatiyana, whose eyes have yet to leave me.
“Si, Papi.” She pats the spot closest to her. I want to vomit at her use of calling me papi.
“Just released, huh?” I ask not bothering to waste time. “Looking for a good time?” I intend to pull as much info as I can from her. If that means flirting a bit, I’ll do it.
“You offering?” She smirks.
Not if my life depended on it. I don’t say anything and wait for her or her friend to fill in the silence. It doesn’t take long.
“Going to pay an old friend a visit soon.” The way she says friend, I know she’s talking about my Ash.
“Oh, yeah?” I’ll play along. “You don’t sound too enthused.”
“Malibu Barbie and I have some unfinished business you could say.”
“That so?” I ask. Pulling out my phone, I scroll through to find a picture I’d taken of Ashley while she was sleeping this morning. “This her?” Showing her the picture, I immediately see the change in her demeanor.
“Who the fuck are you?” Her snarls, a joke. Like a new-born kitten.
“I,” I start, “am the man that she belongs to.” Her eyes narrow. “I’m the man who could kill you where you sit for laying a single finger on her nine months ago.” I let that sink in for a moment. “I’m the man that will watch you for any trip-ups. I’m the man of your nightmares.”