Page 15 of Say You're Mine

I hesitate for a moment, then nod. "If that's what it takes, yeah. Elaine's not playing by the rules here. Why should we?"

There's a beat of silence as they all stare at me, expressions ranging from shock to grudging admiration. Then Louis lets out a low whistle.

"Aye dios!" he says, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Looks like Mama Bear's coming out to play."

I feel my cheeks heat, but I don't back down. "I'm done being pushed around. Done being scared. This is my family we're talking about. Mine and June's. And I'll be damned if I let Elaine Deveaux take that away from us."

Sonya grins, fierce and proud. "That's my girl. So, where do we start?"

As we begin to brainstorm, throwing out ideas and strategies, I feel something settle in my chest. A calm certainty that, somehow puts me at ease.

June's voice echoes in my mind, a promise and a prayer. "I'm coming home to you, to both of you. I promise."

I press a hand to my stomach, feeling the flutter of movement beneath my palm. "We'll be waiting," I whisper, too soft for the others to hear. "Just hold on, June. We're coming for you."

And for the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself to truly believe it. We're going to bring June home. We're going to be a family.

Elaine Deveaux and her schemes don't stand a chance.

Chapter five

June

The walls are closing in.

I can feel it against my skin, as if the very air in this sterile hellhole is trying to suffocate me. My fingers twitch, itching for a cigarette, a drink, anything to take the edge off. But there's nothing here. Nothing but white walls, antiseptic smells, and the constant, maddening tick of the clock on the wall.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Each second that passes is another moment stolen from me. Another moment away from Cara, from our child growing inside her. The thought sends a fresh wave of desperation coursing through me, hot and bitter as bile.

I pace my cell like a caged tiger, each step a silent rebellion against the forces that seek to tame me. The air is thick with the stench of despair and industrial-grade disinfectant, a noxious cocktail that turns my stomach.

Seven steps. Turn. Seven steps back. The monotony is maddening, but it's the only thing keeping me sane. That, and thoughts of Cara.

Cara. Her name is a prayer forever on the tip of my tongue.

I close my eyes and she's there, a vision of beauty and strength. The swell of her belly, ripe with our child, haunts my dreams. It's not enough. It'll never be enough.

A knock at the door interrupts my restless circuit. I freeze, muscles tensing instinctively. Is it time for another session with Dr. Faulkner? Another round of probing questions and patronizing smiles?

But when the door opens, it's not the doctor who enters. It's her - the night nurse with the kind eyes and gentle touch. Sarah, I think her name is. She's different from the others, less clinical, more... human.

"Good evening, Mr. Deveaux," she says, her voice soft and melodious. "How are you feeling tonight?"

I study her face, searching for any sign of the usual judgment or fear I see in the other staff. But there's nothing there but genuine concern.

"I'm fine," I lie, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "Just another day in paradise."

Sarah's lips quirk in a small, sad smile. "I can imagine it must be difficult, being away from your loved ones."

The comment catches me off guard. It's not the usual scripted sympathy I've come to expect. For a moment, I let my mask slip, revealing a glimpse of the raw anguish beneath.

"You have no idea," I murmur, my voice rough with emotion.

She takes a step closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Actually, Mr. Deveaux... I think I might."

I tense, eyeing her warily. Is this some kind of trap? A new tactic to get me to open up, to spill my darkest secrets?

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