Chapter 147 147. Life As A Prisoner

Chapter 147 147. Life As A Prisoner
"Sterling, you have library duty in ten."

I looked up from my notebook, blinking away the fictional world I'd been building. Margaret sat on her bunk across from me, knitting a scarf.

"Already?" I glanced at the clock on the wall. "I swear I just sat down."

"You've been writing for three hours. Time flies when you're murdering fictional people."

"I'm not murdering anyone in this scene. It's a love confession."

"Sure it is." She winked. "That's what they all say."

I laughed, closing my notebook and tucking it safely into my desk drawer. The prison library had become my sanctuary. Quiet and organized, filled with books that let me escape for a few hours each day. Plus, I got to recommend romance novels to hardened tax evaders and corporate fraud specialists. Life was weird.

The weekly routine was bearable. Wake at six, breakfast at seven, library duty from eight to noon, lunch, GED classes in the afternoon where I helped other inmates work through their courses, dinner, writing time, lights out at ten.

Long days, yeah, but I was surviving. And every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, I had visits to look forward to.

On this Tuesday, I walked into the common visiting area and my breath caught as it did whenever I saw him. Lucien stood near one of the tables, looking impossibly good in a navy suit and black tie. His eyes found mine, and that familiar heat spread through my chest.

Then he opened his arms.

I ran so fast across the room and threw myself at him. My arms wrapped around his neck as he lifted me off the ground with his hands on my butt. He smelled like cedar and home, and I buried my face in his neck, breathing him in.

"God, I've missed you," I whispered against his skin.

"Not as much as I've missed you, Fiera."

We stayed like that for a long moment before he finally set me down, though he kept one arm around my waist as we moved to a table.
"Tell me about the outside world," I said, lacing my fingers through his. "I need to remember it exists."

He talked about a new project Rafael was spearheading, about how Maya had gotten a big photography internship and was driving Rafael crazy with her excitement. Since when did Maya get interested in photography?
They were all beautiful, mundane things that reminded me life was waiting for me.

"About Rhys, It worked." His expression shifted into something sharper.

My heart jumped. "What happened?"

"Nadia got into his systems during the Miami conference. All of them." His thumb stroked over my knuckles. "She fried everything. The ones related to you, and even his personal and business files. It's all gone."

"Everything?"

"And better yet, she found evidence of embezzlement. Rhys has been stealing from his investors for years. She sent it all to Metropolitan Media Network's biggest competitor."

"The same outlet that published my arrest."

"Poetic justice, don't you think?" His smile was pure satisfaction. "Rhys is being sued by every major investor in Cipher Solutions. His company is hemorrhaging money. His reputation is destroyed. And that's what he gets for trying to mess with you."

"Wow," I scoffed. "He's done. Really done."

"Completely done. You're safe, Fiera. From him, from Ronan, from everyone who ever tried to use that video against you. It's over."

I threw my arms around his neck again. "Thank you. Thank you for never giving up."

"I'll never give up on you. Not now, not ever."

Thursday's visit brought Maya and Rafael together. Maya squealed the moment she saw me, running over to pull me into a crushing hug that nearly knocked me over.
"I have news!" She was bouncing on her toes. "Big news!"

"What?" I laughed at her excitement.

She thrust her hand in my face. I grabbed her hand, staring at the stunning diamond. "Oh my God! When?"

"Last weekend. At the restaurant where we had our official first date. He got down on one knee and everything." She was crying and laughing at the same time. "And before you ask, we're not setting a date until you're out because you're my maid of honor and I refuse to get married without you."

"Maya—"

"No arguments. You're standing up there with me or I'm not walking down any aisle."

Rafael stepped up behind her, shaking his head with a fond smile. "She threatened to return the ring."

I pulled them both into a hug. First time hugging Rafael, actually, but it felt normal, like we were just three friends who met up for coffee.
"I'll be there. I promise. And congratulations, you two. I'm so happy for you."

Saturday brought Damon, who showed up with his usual swagger and a grin that could charm anyone. He came with commissary money which was more than the last. At this point, I was the richest prisoner.

"Also, I have a message from Natasha."

"Is that the name of your new girlfriend, or your twin who hates me?"

"She doesn't hate you. She's just emotionally constipated." He leaned back in his chair. "She said, and I quote, 'Tell Camila I hope she's managing okay in there.'"

"She said that?"

"She actually said more, but it was mostly awkward rambling about how prison must be difficult and she hopes you're eating enough. I translated it to the short version. She cares and just doesn't know how to show it."

"Tell her thank you. And that I miss her too, even if she won't admit she misses me."

"Will do." He pocketed the phone. "Also, I'm doing a shoot in Paris next month, after which I'll go on tour-ish in Europe. Seraphina is losing her mind with pride."

"Sounds amazing, Damon. You deserve it."

"Thanks, sis." He reached across the table to squeeze my hand. "Hang in there. You're doing great."

The following week, Silas and Seraphina arrived with Mama Cortez in tow. All three of them looked ready to cry the moment they saw me.
"Please don't start," I said as I hugged each of them. "If you cry, I'll cry, and I've been doing so well staying strong."

"We can't help it," Seraphina sobbed anyway. "Our daughter is in prison."

"Your daughter is fine. Look, I'm healthy. I'm safe. I'm even making friends."

Mama Cortez pulled a container from her bag. "I brought you cookies, mija."

Officer Cassie, approached. "Ma'am—"

Mama Cortez handed her some cookies. "These are for you, dear. I made extra."

Officer Cassie took one bite and her expression melted. Whatever she was about to say was long gone.
"You know Sterling's one of my favorite inmates." She gave me a small smile.

My heart swelled with gratitude. Officer Cassie had been kind to me since I arrived, always professional but fair. This felt like her way of acknowledging that I was doing my time with dignity.
"Thank you," I mouthed to her.

She nodded and returned to her spot.

Silas wiped his eyes. "You shouldn't have to make friends in prison. You should be home, writing your books, planning your wedding."

"I will be. Soon. And when I get out, we're having the biggest family dinner ever. You, me, Damon, Natasha, everyone. Deal?"

They nodded, still crying but smiling through the tears. Mama Cortez kept pushing cookies at me, insisting I was too thin and needed to eat more.
For someone that never experienced maternal love as a child, I was now enjoying it from two mothers as an adult. Life really is weird.



"How many kids do you want?" I asked from the edge of the table where I sat.

"However many you'll give me. Two, three, a whole football team if you're willing." He was seated, between my legs.

"Let's start with two and see how we feel."

"A little girl who looks just like you. Auburn hair and green eyes and that same fire."

"And a boy with your dark hair, golden eyes, that same commanding presence."

"They'll be terrors."

"They'll be perfect." I grinned. "Speaking of perfect, your letter from last week was interesting."

His expression turned wary. "Which part?"

"The part where you described in very explicit detail what you plan to do to me the moment I'm released. Did you forget these letters get screened?"

"I was very careful with my word choices."

"Lucien, you wrote..."

"I stand by what I wrote." His hand slid up to my waist, fingers pressing into my hip. "Every word."

He'd written about how he'd have me pinned under him for hours, that he'll take his time relearning every sound I make, every way my body responds to him.
"You're going to kill me before I even get out of here."

"That's the plan, mi amor." He rose and leaned closer, his lips barely brushing my ear. "I'm going to replace every bad memory of this place with my hands, my mouth, my body."

"Lucien..."

He kissed me then, his hand cupping the back of my neck. I melted into him, fisting in his shirt and pulling him closer. The way he claimed my mouth, I could feel just how much he'd been holding himself from kissing me.
It was my first kiss since I entered prison, and it took Officer Cassie's loud throat clearing to remind me that French kissing wasn't allowed and Lucien could get banned!

I pulled back immediately, face burning.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry, I got carried away—"

"What are you talking about?" she said, already walking toward the door. "I didn't see anything." She stepped outside, pulling the door closed behind her.

My heart swelled with gratitude and something else. Something hot, desperate, and needy.

"She's gone—" Lucien didn't let me finish. His tongue swept into my mouth again as his hands roamed my back, my sides, everywhere he could reach without tearing off my clothes. I bit his lower lip, earning a groan that went straight through me.

"God, I've missed this," he gasped against my mouth. "Missed you. Missed my hands on you."

I pressed closer, feeling the hard length of him against my inner thighs. "Someone's excited."

"You have no idea." His voice was strained. "I've been living off memories and cold showers for months. The second you're free, I'm going to take my time. I'll slide into you so slowly you feel every inch. You'll take all of me while I watch your face, watch you come apart around my cock." His lips moved to my neck, licking my skin.
I shuddered, my nails digging into his shoulders.
"I'll fuck you slow and deep. Then I'm going to flip you over and do it all over again. Faster. Harder. Until neither of us can walk."

"And then?" I was trembling now, warmth had flooded my pantie.

"And then I'm going to put my mouth between your thighs and lick you clean. Taste both of us mixed together. Make you come on my tongue while you're oversensitive and still wanting more."

"Jesus Christ, Lucien."

He pulled back just enough to look at me, his golden eyes dark with promise.
"Few more months, Fiera. Then you're completely and irrevocably mine."

"I'm already yours," I whispered. "I've always been yours."

"I know." He kissed me again. "And I'm going to spend the rest of our lives making sure you never forget it."