Page 3 of Riot

I nod. “Yeah.”

“Get everything valuable. Then we’ll set this bitch on fire.”

For the first time in months, I smile. Really smile.

We stand out front an hour later, the house up in flames. The memories that went with it are all up in smoke and I promise that I’ll never forget my dear, sweet mother. Her love, kindness and gentleness will stay with me always, even through the toughest times of my life.

Deep down, I never wanted to do anything except make her proud, but life has a funny way of working out.

Life was only about to test me, and I had no clue what was to come…

1

RIOT

Agetwenty-five

New Orleans Correctional Facility

“Apparently you have a visitor?” Priest announces. He’s known in the joint as Shadow but now goes by Priest. Well, he’s not really a priest, of course, but I call him that because he’s about to prospect for the NOLA Rebels MC.Mymotorcycle club. They’re looking for a spiritual adviser, and while Priest isn’t exactly a man of God, I think after his time here that’s gonna change pretty quick. I’ll get his club name to stick, and since he owes me he has no choice in the matter.

Unlike most of the men in here, he’s a good guy. We’ve got each other’s backs.

I’m in for almost beating a dude to death because he liked to beat up on women. One of the women was a friend of mine, and I don’t like shit like that. The asshole had it coming. My hearing is in a few days, and I have a good attorney, thanks to Charles.

“Great. Could do with a conjugal visit right about now. Shit gets tiring watchin’ your back in here.”

Nobody wants to think about getting jumped in here, but lucky for me I made friends quickly and we’ve got each other’s backs. Still. You really have no friends in the joint. As long as I keep that contraband coming in, they’ll stay loyal. I have friends in very low places.

He snorts. “Like that’s gonna happen.”

“Hey, I’ll have you know I broke hearts when I got locked up. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re linin’ up outside, waitin’ for a turn.”

Priest wrinkles his nose. “Please don’t make me sick before lunch.”

“What I’d give for one more night with Delilah, or Sparkles, or Lolita.”

“Sparkles? What did she have, glitter covered tits?”

“She’s sunny. You know;sparkly. You’ve been in here way too long, brother.”

“No shit, the fact you’re gonna be out before me doesn’t fill me with much hope gettin’ out alive.”

I know he worries about it, but the men in here have his back, just like they do mine.

The one thing I do have going for me in prison, is the fact I’m protected because I’m a Rebel.

It holds a lot of weight around here, and while some would be quick to fight you and take you down, they know on the outside there ain’t nothing but trouble waiting if that were to happen.

“Don’t be hard on yourself. You know my boys will stand behind you, especially after we took out that asshole The Brute. Now you’re the kingpin.”

“Only trouble with that is keepin’ up appearances.”

“You’ll be okay. You survived this long and you knew nobody.”

He goes into quiet mode and it’s best to let him be when he’s like this. I know he’s got a lot to think about with which wayhe wants to go when he gets out. Personally, joining the NOLA Rebels is a privilege, and not something to sit on for too long.

While I wait in the visiting room, I drink a cup of coffee and wonder if I’ll ever see the sunlight again. I mean, the asshole didn’t die. I should be thankful for that, but the devil on my shoulder tells me I should’ve finished the job. If only the police knew what I really got up to the last few weeks Charles has been visiting. I purposely told him to keep Lace away. She doesn’t need to see this shit. She also doesn’t need to hear about how watching your back in this place is getting harder and harder.

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