Page 110 of Protecting Christina

Crack.

He stumbled back. “Ow!” Rubbing his face, he looked up at me. He looked behind me for the guard.

“There’s no one out there who will help you. So, fight back, you coward.”

He swung his arm toward me. I could have easily leaned back to avoid it. He was slow and awkward, but I wanted him to hit me.

His fist landed on my jaw, and rather than snap my head back, it barely hurt. “Is that all you got?”

He scrunched up his face and planted his feet. I even stepped closer to him so he could get a good one in. Instead, his eyes dropped to my stomach, and I knew he would hit there next. He was easy to read.

Again, I didn’t deflect his punch, just bunched my abs, preparing for the impact. His knuckles cracked and his eyes widened when he realized his best effort was useless.

He scurried back and held his hands up. “You can’t do this. I will sue your ass.”

I ignored his worthless threat and picked him up by his orange collar. The one-piece jumpsuit rode up his body, and he squeaked. I smiled, imagining his balls flattened by the fabric.

Just then, my phone rang. I would have ignored it except the ringtone alerted me that it was Christina. I gripped the collar with one hand and flattened my forearm against his throat, immobilizing Simon.

Then, I dug my phone out of my pocket and answered it.

“Will?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you?”

“I won’t be much longer. I promise.”

“Donna had to go, and I… “

Her voice trailed off. Then, “Tell me where you are?” She sounded suspicious, and I didn’t want to lie to her. “I’m inside a cell with Simon.”

“Which one?”

I closed my eyes. “12B”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Speak to Officer Richard. He’ll know where I am.”

She hung up the phone, and I threw mine onto the table. Shoving my face in front of Simon’s, I forced him to look me in the eye. “You are going to be on your best behavior with her. Do you understand? In fact, I want you to apologize. Profusely. Until she is satisfied with your remorse. Otherwise, you will find that being alone in a prison cell isn’t the worst thing that can happen to you.”

He nodded, if only slightly, because my forearm was in the way. Simon’s small brown eyes watered while we waited. The man truly was a coward. If he was worried about what I would do to him, he wouldn’t make it six months here. But that would be his problem, not mine.

Christina’s voice carried down the hallway, and her shoes tapped on the vinyl floors. I knew it was her by the rhythm of her walk. Soft but sure.

I didn’t turn around when the door opened, but an intake of breath alerted me to her presence. Simon’s cheek was red, as were his eyes.

“You know this will cost you,” said the guard.

“I’m prepared to pay it,” I said, without looking away from Simon.

The door closed behind me and Christina stepped forward.

“Let him go,” she said evenly.

My jaw tightened, but I released my hold on Simon.

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