Page 60 of Auctioned to the Prisoners

Me.

I brush my hands on my shorts and lick my lips. Maybe Lory senses me watching her because her eyes lift.

For a few seconds, which felt much longer, we stared at each other.

Then she runs to me, throwing herself into my arms, and I fucking cry because that’s the man she’s made me. Not big bad tough Hyde who’ll fuck a person up for saying one thing out of turn. But James, a man who has traveled for days to start a new life away from everything he knows. James, who wants to love a girl called Lory and become a baker because she told him it was possible.

James, who doesn’t want the darkness to take hold of him ever again.

24

ROCK

REBIRTH

I’m coming for you, Little Bird. I can’t think of what else to write because getting out of here is making my mind antsy. All I know is that waiting to be with you again has been the sweetest torture.

Keep safe, and I’ll see you soon.

Rock

“Tomorrow,” a gruff, familiar voice says. I look up from the book I’m reading, finding Warden Grady leaning against the bookshelf closest to me. I straighten in my seat, lowering the book to my lap.

“Yes.”

The library isn’t busy, but people are around, so this conversation is awkward.

He nods. “We won’t see you again.”

“You won’t,” I assure him.

“Good. Good.” He presses his lips between his teeth. His watery eyes move around the room. “Sometimes, people pass through our lives for bad, sometimes for good. The journey isn’t always easy… but I think it gets us where we’re supposed to go.”

The man is cryptic as fuck, but I think I understand what he’s saying. My journey wrongly put me in a place where I could do a good thing for him, and he could do a good thing for me. I’d do a lot of things to get back the years I spent in Blackstone. A lot. But I wouldn’t give up Lory. If I had to do the time as the only way to find her, it was worth it. She’s my destination.

I’m getting released early because Grady put in a request on account of my good behavior and participation in educational programs. According to him, I’m rehabilitated. A changed man.

The truth is, I came into prison innocent of the crime I was convicted of, and I leave guilty of a worse one I’ll never face charges for. Make that make sense.

“Bella’s a sweet little thing,” he says, his throat catching. “She’s okay now.”

“That’s good.” Whether it’s true that his niece is okay, I’ll never know. Who goes through something so terrible as a child and comes out without permanent scars? Look at Hyde, for fuck’s sake. The man’s been shattered by his experiences, but he’s living, and he’s found a love that is keeping him on the right track.

“Have a good life, Colton,” he says as parting words.

It’s been a while since anyone called me by my given name, and, like a change of skin, I’m new. Rock is a name I’ve worn while I’ve had to wear armor against the world. Colton has a chance of being a better man.

“That’s all I want to do.”

***

A woman waits by a red minivan as I squint my eyes into the sunshine. When the gates slide open, I want to drop to my knees with relief, but I keep myself upright, wanting to preserve my dignity. She raises her hand, and I blink, uncertain. There’s something familiar about her dark hair and owlish eyes that I can’t quite put my finger on. When I get closer, she holds out her hand. “I’m Kennedy.”

Of course. Lory’s sister.

“She sent you?”

“I’ve got something to give you.”

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