Book 2 Chapter 13
Colton
I was awakened thirty minutes before wake-up call to a guard commanding I come with him. He practically dragged me all the way down the hall and into the warden’s office. I didn’t put up a fight, but I did demand to know why I was woken up to be taken to the office.
“Colton Davenport, I’ve called you here because it’s come to my attention you’re up for a parole hearing. The board has studied your case, and we’ve had no problems with you. No fights. A model inmate. Actually, you’ve been the best here yet, besides your cell mate.”
“Why am I here?” I asked.
“You are here because all the charges have been dropped against you. As of now, you’re free to go.”
“This doesn’t make any sense. I shouldn’t be up for parole for another year. What do you mean the charges have been dropped?”
“Colton, go back to your cell and gather your things. As soon as I get everything finalized, Miss Tilly Scott will be ready to pick you up and take you home.”
“Is this some kind of trick?” I asked suspiciously, wondering what the hell is going on.
“I never joke about things like this. I hear you have a girl and baby on the way. Congratulations and good luck to you. I hope you use this as a lesson—now that you have something to live for.”
*Baby, I’m coming home.
To both of you.
*
I stepped back into my cell and collapsed onto the bed. Javier glanced to me, raising an eyebrow. “Something wrong, mate?”
“I just came from the Warden’s office.”
“You get yourself in trouble, eh?”
I shook my head and smiled at him sadly. I have gotten close to him and now I’m leaving him behind. At the same time, I wanted to go see Jenna, but I also hated to leave—abandon him. “I’m getting released today. How is that possible?”
“Do you remember our talk? Corruption, my friend. If you wave that money around to the right people, you can have anything you want.”
“There’s no way someone paid their way to—oh, shit.”
“What?”
“My sister’s soon to be husband. His sister is a lawyer.”
There’s no way he’d try to do this, unless it was necessary.
*Fuck!
Jenna.
*
“What are you doing still standing there like a fool? Get your ass moving and get to packing your shit. You have a family now.”
I smiled and nodded, “A family.”
A few hours later, I was released and walking with Tilly Scott to her car. There was something going on with Benjamin, or was it Jenna?
*Did something happen to the baby?
*
I put the box in the back of her car and shut the trunk. Sliding in the car, I looked over to Tilly and asked. “Tell me what’s going on? You’ve barely spoken two words.”
She shook her head and pressed her head to the steering wheel. “I can’t. It’s better if you hear it from someone else.”
“Tilly, is it Jenna? Chloe? Please, tell me why someone paid off the warden to break me out of prison.”
Tilly shook her head and started the car, pulling out of the parking lot. The ride was silent. A little too silent. Half an hour later, we pulled into her driveway. She turned to me, placing her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Just remember, be strong.”
*Be strong?
*
I stepped out of the car and inhaled deeply. I’ve missed this. The freedom. No chains to bound me in a confined area. I was free. Chloe ran to me and hugged me tight. So tight I thought I was going to lose my breath. I wrapped my arms around her and whispered, “I’ve missed you, Chloe.”
She clung onto me and tightened her grip around my neck. I patted her back and that’s when I figured it out. There was something wrong. She’s never acted like this. Not once. I pulled back and frowned, “Chloe, what happened? Everyone is acting so weird. Tilly wouldn’t say shit to me about it, and you’re crying. Wait a minute, where’s Benjamin?”
“I’m sorry.” She repeated over and over.
“Tell me, sister. Did something happen? Jenna?”
“I couldn’t do anything. I’m sorry. He was there. Jenna was there—the gun. Oh God, Colton—I couldn’t do anything.” Chloe said through choked sobs.
“Come on, Chloe.” Amber grabbed her arm and led her inside. Benjamin raked his hand through his hair and pulled me to the backyard. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured two glasses. One for me and one for him.
“Benjamin, are you going to tell me what happened? What happened to your face? And, where’s my fucking girl?!”
“Drink and I’ll tell you.”
I took a drink.
He took a drink.
I blinked.
He inhaled and exhaled.
I blinked again.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this. Jenna is missing. Colton fucking knocked me out with a shovel and tied me up. When I came to, she was gone and so was Colton. I was in the process of getting a restraining order for her, when I got the call from Chloe.”
I pulled back and hissed, “No, I don’t believe you!”
“Everyone is out looking for her. The entire town is searching every single abandoned house.”
My hands flew up and gripped my head as I fell to my knees. “No. No. No. This can’t be happening. I—fuck!”
“Hey,” Benjamin knelt down and shook my shoulders, “I’m going to get her back for you. Even, if it’s the last thing I do.”
“I’m going to fucking kill the bastard. He better hope the cops get there before I do. I’ll break his bones piece by piece until his blood is—”
“No,” he hissed, “I’m not letting you go back to prison for this. If anyone is going to prison, it’s Tommy.”
“We do this together, brother. You and I will find Jenna and bring her back. Then, we’ll make Tommy pay for hurting her.”
“Come on, let’s get the boys together. We have a girl to rescue and a bastard to catch.” Benjamin said with a wicked grin.