I breathe deep and get another punch of rotten odor. “What the fuck do you think I can offer after this? I have no damn free will. There’s less than a thousand dollars in my bank account. I live in a money pit. What the hell kind of life will I lead for us, huh? A dead end, Sutt. I’m giving you an out. Be smart and take it.”
“No.”
“Wasn’t a choice, baby.”
“I’m not asking for one. There’s never been one. I’ve never needed one. I certainly don’t want one now.”
“You need to be the one to walk away. I’m not strong enough, Sutt.”
Her baby blues flash, all traces of sorrow gone. My girl is digging her heels in. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I let my shoulders drop with a mixture of relief and shame. “All right, beautiful. Hang on for a long haul.”
“I plan on it.”
We exchange a silent stare for a moment. I can feel my reprieve with her running out. “Tell me a happy something, Sutt.”
Her lashes flutter and she sucks in a quick breath. “That’s kind of difficult at the moment.”
“Please try for me,” I murmur into the phone.
She swipes at a fat tear trailing down her cheek. “There was a meteor shower last night. I wished upon a shooting star.”
Warmth spreads through my veins. “I bet it was a good one. Tell me another.”
Sutton wrinkles her nose. “Bear has been very attached to me. I let him sleep on your side of the bed. But he drools.”
A dry chuckle grates from me. “Lucky bastard. One more,” I urge.
“I wrote you a letter. They wouldn’t let me give it to you directly. Make sure a guard passes it along. There’s plenty of happy in there.” A flush rushes up her slender neck.
The prospect of her scrawled words gives me a little light in this black hole. “I will, baby.”
“Not a moment goes by that I don’t think of you. I’ll love you forever plus infinity.” She makes a sideways figure-eight with her fingers.
I trace the pattern through the air. “Even though I’m a convicted criminal?”
Her finger jabs at the clear divider. “You’re not, Gray. This is all a huge mistake.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because I know what’s in your soul. Lance is a snake, but you wouldn’t hurt him. Not without a damn good reason, like attacking me. I was safely inside.”
I scrub over my weary eyes. “Yeah, that’s a pretty big fucking issue.”
She tucks the receiver tighter to her ear and lowers her voice. “Lance is accusing you of assault, Gray. Can you tell me what happened?”
I shake my head. “Nah, not like this. It’s not safe. But make me a promise?”
“Anything.”
A murky shadow falls over me. “Stay away from Morris. He’s bad news. It drives me half-mad knowing he’s on the loose and I’m not around to protect you. Be safe and smart, okay?”
“That goes without saying.”
“I’m serious, Sutt. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way to defend my honor. Lance has zero limits. Don’t test them by being a vigilante.” I want to spill everything, but not in this public space. There are far too many prying ears who will put a bigger target on my back.
Sutton twists her mouth into an adorable pout. “You know me too well. But I can’t just sit by and do nothing. You can’t expect me to, Gray.”
