Page 49 of Dangerous Obsession

“I respectfully disagree, sir. I have found the Lord. He is my light and my salvation, and I have turned my life around.” Cliff fought back the smirk threatening to show itself.

“Shi-it. Found the Lawd, my ass.” His cellmate shook his head and started cackling again.

“We’ll see.” Newhouse took hold of his other elbow, and they left the cell. He turned to the guard. “Lock it up, then make sure his stuff gets where it needs to go. I’ll take him from here.”

“Yes, sir.” Like a good little lap dog, the guard did as he was told.

“Let’s go.” The warden gave a powerful tug of Cliff’s arm, and they started down the corridor.

“I didn’t know you escorted prisoners when they’re released.” Cliff assumed he’d leave the same way he arrived, through the prisoner processing area.

“You’re a special case.” After years of yelling at young recruits, his voice sounded like he’d used it to grind rocks. “There’s someone who’d like to have a little chat with you before you go.”

“And who might that be?” It wasn’t his parents—his mom had said they wouldn’t be able to pick him up.

“Patience, Barnum. You’ll find out soon enough.” He tipped his chin up at the guard on the other side of the thick glass. A motor hummed, and the door to the main corridor began to slide open.

They stepped through, and the warden waited until the door was completely closed before continuing. He headed down a hallway Cliff had never been down before and stopped at another metal door with a wired-glass window in the top half.

A guard stepped into view on the other side, saw the warden and unlocked the door.

“After you.” Newhouse released his hold, made a sweeping motion with his hand, and they moved into an office area.

The guard stepped to the side and took a position near the corner.

“Good morning, Ms. Taberson.” The warden greeted a middle-aged woman sitting at a desk.

“Good morning, Warden Newhouse.” She gave Cliff an assessing once-over, stopping briefly on the shackles, then turned and smiled up at the warden. “Your guest is waiting in your office.”

“Excellent.” He clamped his hand to the top of Cliff’s shoulder, pinching a nerve that sent a sharp tingly sensation shooting down his arm to his fingertips, then guided him across the room toward another door. “I expect you to be on your best behavior.” He nudged him forward.

As they passed by her, the secretary scanned him up and down again, then began tapping on her keyboard.

Judgmental bitch.

The warden grabbed the knob and swung the door open to what Cliff assumed was his office.

Cliff took one step inside and stopped short when he spotted their visitors.

Standing off to the right side of the room, staring out the window, was none other than Senator Sebastian Houldcroft. Power and authority oozed from his pores.

Behind him, in the far corner, stood a huge guy—at least six and a half feet tall, if not more—with long dark hair and a beard, his arms crossed over his chest, feet set apart. His almost black eyes pierced Cliff with a glare akin to that of a predator locked on to its prey.

“Good morning, Senator.” The warden walked over and shook his hand. He and the ape in the corner shared nothing more than a single dip of their chins. “Have a seat, Barnum.” He indicated a metal chair set in front of his large wooden desk.

“Thank you.” Cliff sat and laced his fingers together in his lap. The chains dangled between his knees.

While the other men spoke in hushed tones, saying things he couldn’t hear, he glanced around the warden’s office.

There were a few certificates framed and hanging on the wall. A shadow box on the bookcase behind his desk had an arrangement of military ribbons and medals of varying colors and sizes. Prominently displayed right smack in the middle was a Purple Heart. Everything on the desk and in the room was precisely positioned with not a speck of dust to be found.

“The Senator asked for some time with you prior to your release, and I was more than happy to oblige.” He smiled at Houldcroft and the mystery man. “Gentlemen, he’s all yours.” Then he left the office.

Cliff watched over his shoulder as the door clicked shut, leaving him alone with one of the most powerful people in the country—a man with connections who could easily screw him over. And another guy that looked like he’d seen and done some shady shit in his time.

“I’ll make this quick, Mr. Barnum.” Houldcroft casually strolled over and looked down his nose at him. He held up a manila envelope. “Per yournewlyamendedrelease orders, you are not to go near Marigold Hartnett. If you are found within five hundred yards of her, her home, her place of business, or anywhere she happens to be, you will immediately be hauled back here. If you call her, text her, send her any more written cards or notes—” Cliff flashed him a look. “That’s right, we know you’re responsible for the note she received recently. If you communicate with her in any way, you will be hauled back here.” He slapped the envelope onto the warden’s desk. “Are we clear?”

“I have accepted responsibility for my actions and paid my debt to society for my part in what happened to Marigold.” Even though she intentionally pushed his buttons, knowing it would set him off. “I’ve become a spiritual man and am only interested in moving forward with my new life.”

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