PROLOGUE
JASON
Two years earlier
The rough hands against his soft skin made Jason shiver in disgust!
He would rather be in a pit of venomous snakes than here, but he’d been summoned, and it was easier to comply. As long as his husband didn’t find out where he was, he’d be okay. Why he needed permission for this was bizarre, but he knew Grant had his heart in the right place.
As the man finished the search, he gave Jason a leer, showing his crooked nicotine-stained teeth.Just smile and be polite, he kept saying to himself. His brain was running at a hundred miles an hour, wanting to put the pervert in his place. Jason switched his mind off and went to his happy place with his brothers; he missed them so much, but he’d had no choice but to cut them off. It was better than having them find out what he’d done.
Jason would rather be any place but here. It had been two years since his last visit, so why she wanted to see him now was a mystery, but it was enough to pique his curiosity. Damn his ADHD brain and its inability to let things go. He’dwatched the film a million times, but had never been able to channel his inner Elsa.
He was ushered into the visiting room with others who were here to see their nearest, dearest, and co-criminals. A few minutes later the door opened, and the prisoners walked in wearing their colour-coded bibs, which aligned to the wing they were in. People jumped up to greet their loved ones, but Jason stayed seated. This wasn’t a joyful reunion. She’d asked to see him, and he would oblige, but that’s as far as his hospitality went.
“Ain’t ya gonna give ya mum a hug?” came a voice that still had the ability to make his entire body shudder.
“I think we passed the hugging phase the moment you lethiminto the house,” Jason snapped back.
“Sassy little faggot, aren’t ya?” she laughed.
Jason prickled. He’d been called that word and worse over the years, but there was something about hearing it from your own parent that cut deeper.
“What do you want?”
“Aren’t you gonna get me a brew?”
All this woman had done was birth him. He’d effectively raised himself and his sisters. He couldn’t think about them, though, it was too painful. All he could do was huff and go over to the tuck shop in the corner, which was manned by other prisoners. These were allegedly the trusted ones, but Jason had seen drugs being passed the last time he was here.
He ordered them both a cup of tea, and bought some biscuits, crisps, and chocolate. That should shut her up. Once he was loaded up, he went back over to their table. Her eyes lit up at all the treats.
“Such a good son,” she said, smiling and showing her missing teeth, which were probably the result of poor hygiene and spending the last seven years in prison.
“You asked to see me?” he prompted.
The sooner he knew what she wanted, the quicker hecould get out of here. This place was a mission to reach, and he’d needed to get three trains, but as long as he was back before Grant, he’d be okay. He’d taken a day’s annual leave, so his husband believed he was at work. Not that he liked Jason having a job. Grant could provide for them both and more, and didn’t understand why Jason insisted on working. He loved his job; it was something that was all his. Thankfully, Grant didn’t push it too much. Jason knew he wouldn’t be able to refuse if Grant demanded he quit.
“I’m up for parole.”
Jason thought his heart had stopped beating. She couldn’t be serious?
“You got fourteen years,” he said, trying to keep the panic out of his voice.
“I’ve done half, and kept myself out of trouble, so I’m eligible.”
How could that be possible? Seven years for what she did? What they both did. Oh, God, there was no way the same could happen forhim, could it?
“What about him?”
“He got life with twenty-five, so he ain’t going anywhere unless his appeal goes through.”
“Appeal?” shouted Jason in a high-pitched voice, which got them some attention.
He smiled, to imply nothing was wrong, and leaned closer to his mum. That’s when he noticed she was still wearing the same perfume she’d worn when he was a child. That familiar flowery scent made him want to vomit as painful memories hit him.
“How is he being considered for an appeal, and why is this the first I’m hearing about it?”
“Why do you think I want to get out of here before he does?”
