Chapter 40
FORTY
Austin
THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS WITHIN earshot. Any words exchanged between Jesse and me needed to die quickly. If they accidentally escaped the space between us, we were both screwed.
“What the fuck did you do, asshole?” Jesse grumbled as we walked through countless hallways on our way back to his temporary hell.
“Don’t worry about it,” I snapped, clenching my teeth.
We moved quickly. Testosterone overflowed from the silent daggers we repeatedly exchanged.
“It would be in your best interest to keep my name and anything said in that office out of your mouth because if you don’t, the consequences and your future will be far more depressing than they’re already looking …
” I paced, stopping just short of the holding division and into a semi-private area where we could finish our conversation.
Getting back to my girl was my priority.
“So, let me get this straight. First, you caught me with Rita, and instead of letting it slide, you ruined my entire career. And now you’ve done God knows what to Elle.
” Jesse smiled deviously. “What, were you intercepting my letters and getting off to the pictures of my girlfriend in your little office? Is that it? You act like I’m the monster.
Why don’t you look at yourself before pointing the finger, you fu—”
“Watch your mouth! None of this would have happened if you hadn’t been stupid enough to sneak off with Camellino after I told the entire division on day one all about the surveillance cameras planted around this place. What were you thinking?!” I growled.
“I don’t have an excuse, okay? The only thing I have now is a fractured future, no clue when I’m getting out of here, and a little white stick that stole the freedom I never had.
” Jesse’s poor me mentality was draining.
“I don’t even know when I can see the mother of my child, who I would imagine needs some support too. ”
As much as I disliked him at a cellular level, Jesse’s new circumstance multiplied my compassion toward his case.
He really was screwed.
How was I not informed that Rita was pregnant?
It made sense though. I had no overreach into the female divisions, so why would my colleagues have provided me with confidential medical information on one of their recruits?
“Your Captain’s Mast is coming up in the next few weeks. If you can keep your mouth shut until then, maybe I’ll consider that you’re going to be a dad soon when I give my disciplinary recommendations to the captain. Trust me, I want you gone as much as you want out.”
“Oh, how kind of you … not like I have much of a choice now, do I?” Jesse mocked, topping it with a scowl and an eye roll. The muscles in his face tensed as he fought against his unmistakable urge to say more.
A nod was all the kid deserved—the only thing I could offer him. I extended my right arm forward and motioned, urging him to join the rest of his bunkmates behind the double doors leading to his division. His hand paused flat against the door.
Hurry the fuck up, I thought, desperate to get back to Elle so I could explain myself.
Jesse needed to go away.
“What is it, Jenkins?” I inquired, giving him one last chance to get whatever he had to say off his chest.
“Just remember, Chief.” He looked over his shoulder at me glaringly before continuing, “She was mine first.”
Jesse flashed his middle finger before entering.
What a prick.
“Just remember, Jenkins, she’ll never be yours again,” I fired.
Would she ever be mine again either?
I sprinted back to my office to find out.