Page 88 of Babalon

“You’re giving this to him? Don’t you think it may be a little too powerful for a boy his age?”

“You’re right, but no, he has plans to follow his grandpa into the Marines, so I’m building it for him, for when he graduates basic training.”

That thought brings a smile to my face for some reason. Though I’ve never experienced parents that care for me in such a way, it was nice to see others doing what they could to show their children that they are proud of their accomplishments.

“I’m Nadia, by the way. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, sweetheart. Say, you’re the Correctional Officer that lives on property, right?”

“I am.” I reply, unsure where he is going with that.

“My father was a guard for all my life. He was killed about seven years ago in a riot. He loved what he did, when I get to thinking about him, it reminds me that you live here.”

“Yeah, it’s harsh work but you see people change. Sometimes for the worst, sometimes for the better.”

Looking down at the mail in my hands, I can’t decide if I am talking about myself in that moment or the inmates I see day in and day out. Instead of commenting further, I hook my thumb over my shoulder and point up the stairs.

“I better get going, it was a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr.”

“Name’s Max. Max Carter.”

“Max. You have a good day.”

“You too, Nadia.”

I scale the stairs until I get to my unit, unlocking the door and stepping into the warmth of my apartment. Lush welcome mat under my boots silencing my entry. I stop by an entry table and take off my shoes, dropping them there next to my guard ones.

Looking at the polished leather, I suck in a deep breath still smelling the smoke in the threads of my clothes. I need to get out of them and get showered, make something to eat before settling in for the rest of the day.

A part of me wants to tell Kace about the incident with my father, to see if he is as proud of me as I am. I may not have handled things in the most logical way but the weight has been lifted nonetheless, and for the first time in my life I feel free.

Chapter twenty-six

Nadia

Ihit the ground running this morning—uncontrollable energy courses through me. I was up before my alarms ever started ringing too. Is this what normal people feel like when they get up for work, or am I just a different kind of fucked up now that I burned my dad’s house down?

It’s probably the delirium.

Stopping by the coffee shop didn’t take as long as it usually does either, likely because I came earlier but I’m going to take it as a sign from the universe, like your typical hopeful person. With my lips pursed around a cigarette, coffee in the cup holder next to me, I blare my radio with the windows cracked to let in a little bit of clean air as I smoke.

The way I feel right now, is so damn surreal— like light could shoot out of my ass right now and I’d giggle about it. I… fuck, I miss Kace. All I thought about last night was seeing him, those bright blue eyes of his and the rough stubble that sometimes ranover the curve of his jawline. The soft strands of his hair between my thighs as his tongue skirts over my oh so sensitive pussy.

Nothing, and no one, could have stopped me from touching myself last night, tossing and turning in the clinging sheets of my bed, the memory of his touch making my skin prickle and erogenous zones throb for him. At some point, he got beneath my skin and he can live there for all eternity for all I care.

Pulling into a parking spot, I hop out, shut the door, and lock the truck. Hooking the keys to my backpack so they didn’t get lost in my pocket or fall somewhere in the prison when moving through the checkpoints.

Sucking on the red straw of my iced latte, I cover ground quickly. Walking past officers that are heading out for the day, others who are coming in to start their shift with me as well, even other staff members. Once I reach the main door, one of the incoming officers holds the door open for the bulk of us before following up the group, so we could go single file through the main set of metal detectors. Everyone scans their belongings, and for the first time, I decided to leave the drugs at home— I have enough in my locker to sell if needed.

I’m not perfect, the proverbial leaf is still turning.

Back in the office, I pull my gear out of my locker, then shrug on my tactical vest. Attaching my duty belt around my hips, stuffing zip ties in the pockets of my BDU’s, and pulling on my hat today. Stepping in front of the single mirror a few lockers down, I check over my appearance, ensuring everything is in its place.

“Pierce, you’re on medical bay patrol today. We have a shipment of pharmaceuticals coming in. Cindy doesn’t want the inmates bothering her for things when she is doing her inventory so I want you to use that perky personality of yours and tell them to leave until she is ready to see them. Outside of emergencies, of course,” Clark orders.

He’s delegating orders today.

He may be a prick, but he has this part down pat, he will always have every square inch of the prison covered one way or another. While I may not like being away from C Block, sometimes I have to bite the bullet and put up with whatever bullshit Clark expects of me. I wouldn’t mind spending some down time with Cindy though, that woman is entertaining and so loving. It’s no wonder why the inmates flock to her, she’s heavenly.

---