Page 12 of Bishop

My brow furrowed as my brain cycled through our short conversation to figure out what the heck the man’s question was even referring to.

Giving up on the silly riddle, I said, “Would I like what?”

Becker’s hand brushed past my ear and rested against the wall a half an inch from my head. He leaned in close, tucking the strand of perpetually stray hair back behind my ear.

He smirked. “Would you like it if I became a cop and carried a big gun?”

I might be somewhat naive, but I didn’t miss the innuendo behind his words. “I think law enforcement is quite an admirable profession,” I said, nervously biting my bottom lip as I tried to avoid his intense gaze.

“I thought you might like that,” Becker replied, running his fingers along my chin. “I’d make good money, too. And, if I had a girl, I’d be willing to spoil her. Take her to nice places. Treat her to nice things.”

I didn’t want to anger him, but I had no intention of dating Becker. Not liking him had nothing to do with his job or his looks. To be brutally honest, it was him. For whatever reason, the man turned me all the way off and left me feeling cold inside.

Trying to break free of his grasp, I edged toward the kitchen. “That’s nice of you. I really should?—”

Grabbing my elbow to hold me in place, he spoke over me. “If you play your cards right, that girl could be you.”

That was the last thing I wanted to happen. Attempting to move away from him, I swallowed hard. “Sure, well, I better be going now.”

“And I’m really good to my girls in more ways than one.” The creepy grin that split Becker’s lips just then let me know he was talking about more than just gifts and dinners. I shuddered at the thought of him ever touching me.

Before I could escape, his mouth was headed for mine. Without thinking, I shouted, “No!” and lifted my knee, nailing him square in the balls. In my defense, it was a purely instinctual move, and he was being a total prick.

Becker hit the deck, cupping his crotch and keening low. Before I knew what was happening, I looked up and saw inmate Wilmont standing there. I must have yelled louder than I realized and he’d come to see what the problem was.

“Did he fucking touch you?” the man growled, his usual smiling eyes burning with a rage I hadn’t anticipated.

“I’m fine,” I blurted out before the situation could spiral any further out of control. “Mr. Becker just fell is all.”

Wilmont gave the guard a cold stare as he slowly rolled to his knees and coughed. “Sure. I always clutch my balls like someone kneed me in them when I fall.”

Garrity was calling for Wilmont to get back into the room, and I handed him the bucket. “Bring this inside. I’ll be there in a second.”

The inmate looked like he wanted to argue, but he held his tongue. Giving Becker one last disgusted glance, he went inside the kitchen with the supplies.

Turning to the guard who was now shakily getting to his feet, I said, “I’m sorry, John. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just startled by your trying to kiss me. I hope you can see this for the mistake it was.”

“You kneed me in the balls! That was no mistake!” the man seethed in a strained voice, still clutching himself protectively like I might strike again.

“I have to go back to class,” I said, nervously wringing my hands together. “I really am sorry.”

Equal parts embarrassed and afraid, I turned and slipped back into the classroom hoping this would be the end of the horrifyingly awkward exchange.

* * *

Bishop

I was coming back from the showers when Becker found me. “The Warden wants to see you,” the broody man barked as soon as I spotted him.

I was being released from Cantiville in two days. I hope whatever the Warden had to tell me wouldn’t change that.

Following behind Becker, I realized we weren’t going in the direction of the Warden’s office. We were headed back towards the showers. Shit. This wasn’t good. Not good at all.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Something was about to go down. I could feel it.

“I gotta take a piss. It’ll just take a second,” Becker announced, veering off toward the main inmate bathroom. When we got closer, he shoved me inside.

As soon as the guard shut the door behind him, I heard something being shoved up against it and knew what, or who, was coming.

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