Precarious(6)

He starts pacing again. “It’s fucked up.”

“And . . .”

“She’s saying she’s pregnant.”

“Oh boy,” I say, letting a puff of air whoosh out of my lips. “That is bad.”

“You’re fuckin’ tellin’ me. I got shit in my life. I’m a fighter. I don’t have time for babies.”

“Okay, take a few steps back. Are you sure it’s yours?”

His eyes flash to me. “You sayin’ she’s fuckin’ around?”

“What I’m saying is that unless you’re sure she’s not, then you might not be the father.”

He mulls this over. “How am I supposed to find out?”

“Simple. If she’s really pregnant, ask for a DNA test.”

“If she’s pregnant?”

“You need to see proof, Leo. You’d be crazy not to ask for it. Women make that stuff up all the time.”

His eyes widen. “Why?”

I shrug. “Because they’re desperate.”

A look of disgust contorts his features, causing his lips to purse and his eyes to narrow. “That’s fuckin’ sick.”

I laugh softly, standing. “Women can do crazy things if they fear they’re losing something they want.”

“Would you do that?”

I snort. “Oh no. No, no, no, I know how it ends.”

“How?” he says, taking the hem of his shirt and pulling it off.

I stare for a moment before feeling heat creep up the back of my neck. I stare down at my hands. “I’m a girl. I’ve seen it go down plenty of times. I’m sure you can figure out how something like that would end.”

“Yeah,” he says, pulling on another shirt.

“Well.” I clap my hands together, and turn towards the door. “Good chatting.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, always fun.”

I flash him a smile before exiting his room. I slip into my own room and sigh as my eyes go towards the shower in the en suite. Oh, I need one of those. I kick my door closed behind me, strip off and walk towards the shower. After turning the water on, I tuck my hair up and step in.

Heaven.

I sigh loudly as the warm water slides over my body. I wash my hair, shave my legs, and then reluctantly turn the shower off. I dry myself and then throw on a pair of grey sweats and a tank before joining Claire and Leo in the kitchen. They’re arguing over what to cook for supper.

“Steak,” Leo growls, shoving her out of the way and taking out the steak.

“Chicken,” she snaps back, shoving him. He doesn’t move.

“How about,” I yell loudly, causing them both to turn, “you have both.”

Claire rolls her eyes. “That ruins the fun.”

Leo gives her a lusty expression, one that she always seems to miss. I don’t miss it; it’s loud and clear to me.

“Stop being difficult,” I chastise her playfully.

“Fine,” she sulks. “Let the Incredible Hulk have his steak.”

Leo snorts and turns to her. “I’m glad you’ve finally learned your place.”

Claire opens her mouth to respond, but I put my hand up. “Children, that’s enough.”

They both give me pouty expressions that have me smiling. I wave my hand. “Carry on, then.”

I turn and walk out of the room, deciding to find a good book and curl up on the couch while they battle it out in the kitchen.

That’s just a normal day for me.

Just how I like it.





CHAPTER THREE


The prison is quiet this morning. People are fluttering about, keeping to themselves, and the inmates aren’t saying a great deal. They’re all in their cells, most of them staring blankly at walls. The very idea of being trapped in a space like that for years on end has my heart tightening. It’s one of my biggest fears.

There are a few prisoners in here who are wrongly convicted; it happens. It’s a sad fact of life, but it’s just how it goes. I don’t see it a lot, and even when I do there’s nothing I can do to help – after all, what could I do? It’s not my job, and it’s something that can’t be changed. I just can’t imagine how horrible it would feel. To be forever trapped for something you didn’t do.

“Another early one, Ash?” Tristan says, appearing beside me as I reach security.

“You’re here early,” I say, checking the time. He doesn’t usually do the morning shifts.

“Yeah. Just wanted to make sure the new prisoner was secured.”

“Right.” I yawn. “How’s all that going?”

We reach security and start the long process of going through.

“You will see him today. You can check it all out when you go down there. He isn’t saying a word.”