It took a lot of convincing, but I’d managed to transfer Zeke over to my table in the mess hall. When Zeke’s schedule was interrupted, he’d lashed out. But I couldn’t stand back and watch him being ignored as Bria, the blonde, and Jake talked around him.
My family—my everything—belonged together.
Between the commotion, I hadn’t been able to discuss my plans with Mia about Zeke.Hell, Mia and I had never confirmed plans, only the fact that I’d steal her away, wherever she would be, once we left here. Little did she know, I had a house ready for the three of us. With news of her dual citizenship, it took a massive weight off my shoulder.
Things were falling together.
I moved my hand over Mia’s thigh to get her attention. “I’m working on becoming Zeke’s guardian,” I blurted, airing out plans and hoping the news wouldn’t close her off.
Her lovely lips turned up in the corners, and her hand covered over mine on her thigh. I closed my eyes and released a breath. “Is that even possible?” she asked low, matching my tone.
I dropped my chin. “My mate on the outside has been doing some research. Once my record is clean, I can adopt. I’m over-age,” I nudged my head in Zeke’s direction, “Look at him. He may not be my brother by blood, but he’s my brother by bond, and I’m not leaving him behind.”
If anyone understood my love for the kid, it was Mia.
“You’re amazing,” she said through a sigh. “I know whatever it takes, you’ll find a way to make it happen.”
I could breathe again. “You’re alright with this?” I had to make sure.
“Am I alright with you getting Zeke out of here? Hell yes.”
“It would be the three of us,” I clarified, putting things into perspective. “It would always be you and I, love, but Zeke would finally have a life. A chance at something he deserves.”
“Like I said,” she squeezed my hand, leaned in closer, and I held my breath, “Hell. Yes.”
Those soft lips merely touched over mine, and I closed off all senses to feel every sensation they stirred as small bumps rushed over the surface of my skin. When my eyes opened again, Mia’s contagious smile greeted me, and my stupid smile returned.
I looked back over to Zeke who watched us from across the table, and the clock at the back wall came into focus. “Dammit,” I breathed out. “I have my phone call for the week in ten minutes.” I kissed the side of her head before standing to my feet. Ethan was posted at his usual place, and I looked down at Mia and ran my palm over her head to lift her focus back to me. “You gonna be alright?”
“Yes. Quit worrying so much.” The volume in the mess hall spiked, and my head snapped up to see a punch thrown in Liam’s direction. Ethan sprang to action, pulling the kid off him and Mia’s hand landed over mine. “Go, Ollie. I have a session with Conway, anyway.”
“Yeah, alright,” I mumbled and pointed the finger at Zeke, “Look after her.”
Zeke signed,always.
I rushed down the stairs, the halls empty, and made it to the closed chamber in time. A guard sat right outside the door with a clipboard. “Name?” he asked, not bothering to look up from his small desk.
“You know my name, fuck-face.”
Jinx lifted his head and grinned. “Ollie, my man,” he stood and lazily shook my hand, “feels like I haven’t seen you in a minute.”
“It’s been a week,” I laughed, “Got what I asked for?”
Jinx was an interesting character. Dark skinned, missing teeth, but a heart I wished people could see. He knew of my brother and despised him. It took some time for him to see I was nothing like Oscar.
“You owe me hot-shot,” he pulled the gum pack from his pocket and tossed it over to me.
I looked over the already opened package to see two missing. “Send my bill to my new address. I’ll take care of you.” Travis used to mail me cash until the cash started disappearing. I had to fuel my gum addiction a new way without the funds. Jinx was my only option.
“You’re on fire onThe Amazon, brother. Just looked you up a few days ago. You’re in stores and online. People are buzzing.”
“It’s not‘The Amazon,’ mate, justAmazon,” I shook my head, “Thanks, means a lot, but it’s only a start. My first publication. Something small. I’ll be able to do better once I get out of here.”
Jinx chuckled, flashing his missing teeth. “Damn, brother. You don’t take compliments well. Don’t be so hard on yourself, yeah? People are eating that tosh up like it’s candy. Everyone on the outside is dying to know who Oliver Masters is. Soon enough you’ll have so much fanny, you won’t need to recycle.”
I popped a piece of gum in my mouth and smiled over at him. His remarks were innocent, something every bloke would say or want to hear.
Mia and I haven’t made love since the beginning of the school year, our quick fuck not counting in the least bit. She mentioned she already forgave and looked past the whole Maddie situation, but she needed to know what I did was unacceptable. I had to earn the chance to be intimate with her again. My choice. “You know I’m not into it. I’ll pass them over to you, big man.” I patted him on the shoulder before pushing through the door, charging for the phone.
