Page 40 of Pen Pal

“Nah, they’re gonna have to work for it on my end,” Vitali declared. “Enzo was the driver, so for all they know, he stole the car. So they’ll probably drop the grand theft charge.”

I smirked. Since Vitali pleaded not guilty, we had a chance to fight this. I knew we would lose and all get charged with at least one thing, but it gave me time, a precious commodity I planned to squeeze so I could see Amara as often as possible.

“How much longer in the hole do you think?” Vitali asked.

“At least a month total,” I sighed. “So don’t make any big plans.”

“Actually,” Vitali began. “Big plans are exactly what I’m making.”

This piqued my interest. Vitali was planning another escape if he meant what I thought he did. It would be almost impossible to do from the prison while we were in isolation, but with some stealth, it could happen from the courthouse if the guards were distracted enough.

“I’m listening.”

14

Amara

Enzo Ricci would be the death of me. He was infuriating, insufferable, deranged…

And he set my blood on fire.

I couldn’t look at his smirking face and concentrate. He was the bane of my existence, but I couldn’t get enough.

“Amara?” my divorce lawyer asked, tapping his pen loudly. “You there?”

I gave my head a clearing shake before I focused back on him. “Yeah, sorry.”

“Look, I know this is difficult stuff, but we need to get these papers drawn up,” he reminded me. “We know he will refuse, so ask for everything upfront. That way, we have wiggle room to negotiate.”

“If that’s what you think works best,” I shrugged. “I don’t have any experience with these types of situations.”

“Not surprising,” he nodded. “I can send these out today if that’s good with you.”

“That works for me,” I mumbled, looking at the time. “I actually have to go. I have an appointment at noon.”

He snorted. “Figures, that’s the only time I can squeeze in my appointments, too. If you have any questions, I’m right down the hall.”

“Thanks, Earl,” I stood, dusting off my suit pants. “I’ll see you later.”

It’d been a week since I last saw Enzo, and he transferred my retainer to my bank account. Since my social worker appointment was in the next town, I got a used car. I planned on slowly reaching out to my family again and wanted a way to get to them without relying on a bus.

I stopped by my office, looking at the latest letter from Enzo.

Amara,

Seven days. Time goes by slower the longer I go without seeing you. But I have one word for you,baby. Soon.

-Enzo

I shivered, both rolling my eyes and smiling. Soon was our code word, meaning Enzo planned to escape prison again. I wondered how he’d do it since he was still in solitary confinement, but he wouldn’t share the details with me in letters. I just had to trust that he would do it.

I rolled my eyes because I knew he would catch another charge and nullify his defense in our current case.

I grabbed a pen, and it rasped against the paper as I wrote my reply.

Enzo,

The divorce papers are drafted and should be delivered today. We should celebrate. Soon.

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