Chapter 94

Chapter 94
Charles

I leave the warden’s office after my conversation with Diego Fuentes, the weight of his words still echoing in my head. I used to work under him when I was free. Five years ago, I got drunk, picked a fight, and killed a man. Too many witnesses for even Diego’s lawyers to save me. He still looks out for me, even after all this time, even after learning it was my own stupidity that landed me here.

He once told me, “Alcohol makes it easy to make stupid decisions. It’s how we handle the aftermath of those decisions in our sobriety that matters.” I understood then—he wanted me to take responsibility, to own the consequences. He always taught us to keep a cool head, to avoid anything that compromised it. I didn’t realize alcohol was my weakness until it was too late. When I sobered up and saw what I’d done, remorse hit hard. I pled guilty and got life, with the possibility of parole after twenty-five years.

This isn’t the first time Diego’s asked me to do something like this. Over the last five years, I’ve taken out snitches and undesirables for him inside these walls. Cell block A, pod 24, bunk 1. I know who that is—Antonio. Diego’s old right hand. If he’s here, if he’s on the list, then he must have crossed a line too deep to come back from. It’s not my job to know the sin. I’m just the reaper. Payment comes in blood.

The CO escorts me back to my block. Lunch is in full swing, trays clattering, voices echoing off concrete. I grab a tray, sit down, and barely settle before Avery bounces over, sliding into the seat beside me.

“Honey! Where were you? I didn’t see you when they let us out for lunch.”

I hunch over my tray. Avery came in three years ago, terrified, fragile. A short, skinny kid who would’ve been swallowed whole if I hadn’t stepped in. People knew me, knew who I ran with, knew Diego’s shadow stretched even here. I put my foot down, letting everyone know not to mess with him. No one touched him after that. Avery’s been grateful ever since, always trying to show it using his body, no matter how much I’ve refused. He doesn’t give up. I'm straight, but after five years in here with no pussy, I'm really close to giving in just so I can feel some tight heat around my dick.

I look at him from the corner of my eye, taking in his soft features. I grunt, “Had a meeting with the warden. Wasn’t gone too long.”

A smile spreads across his face, bright enough to cut through the gray of the room. I stare at him longer than I should, unblinking. It should be a sin for a man to be this beautiful. Without thinking, my hand brushes from his chin down to his collarbone. His eyes close, a small breath escaping, then he looks at me beneath his lashes.

“You weren’t here when I came out,” he says softly. “So that was too long.”

I pull my hand back, steadying myself. “You’ll be fine. I’m here now.”

He nods, bouncing in his seat again, energy spilling out of him. “You are! Hurry and finish eating so we can play dominoes!”

I grunt again, hiding a smile behind my fork. “Okay, okay. Wait a minute.”

He sits on his hands, vibrating with excitement. I eat slowly, ignoring his impatience, then return my tray and come back to the table. Avery already has the dominoes spread out, shuffling them with quick, eager hands. I pick my seven, holding them close, smiling indulgently at him even as my mind drifts back to the job I’ve been assigned.

From the corner of my eye, I watch Antonio sitting alone, isolated, as if he’s chosen exile. Avery’s hand touches mine, pulling me back. I look at his cherubic face, his smile soft as he says, “It’s your turn.”

I stare at him silently, drinking him in. The brightness of him, the innocence, the persistence. Yeah, I’m gonna fuck him. I wanna see his little ass bouncing up and down on my dick. 

My eyes flick back to Antonio, because even with my mind on Avery, the shadow of my task looms.



I spend the next couple of days preparing, shaping my plan with the same precision I used to fashion my weapon—a toothbrush filed down until it could cut without resistance. I watched Antonio, studied his habits, though there wasn’t much to see. He kept to himself, isolated, as if already resigned to his fate.

On the second day, I informed the warden that I would carry out the task in the early morning hours. He agreed to leave the doors unlocked. Since Antonio always received his tray last, I asked that his food be dosed with sleeping pills. That would make it easier. Peaceful. A small mercy, the kind Diego seemed to want—a quiet death for the years of loyalty. Even though death all the same for betrayal.

Late that night, just after one, I listened as the block settled into silence. I sat up on my bunk, eyes already adjusted to the dim light, and moved. The door opened without a sound, and I slipped into the shadows, my steps measured, deliberate.

Pod 24 was still, save for the faint creak of the door as I entered. The other man in the pod stirred, glanced at me through the dark. I raised a finger to my lips. “Shhh.” He turned his back to me, choosing not to see.

I close the door behind me and make my way over to Antonio. I pull the makeshift weapon from my pants and grab the pillow from under Antonio's head, sliding it out slowly, just in case he isn't completely under. But he doesn't move. Holding the pillow over his head and neck, I press the weapon against his neck, and pressing deeply, I slice across. Antonio twitches and gurgles for a few moments before his body stills. 

I wipe my hand and the weapon on the pillow. I walk quickly back to the door, open it, and step out into the shadows. I see the CO standing by the guard pod, so I walk a little closer and drop the weapon and kick it over to the shadows near the guard. He inconspicuously walks over and looks down, kneeling as if tying his shoes, he grabs the weapon and tucks it in his pocket. He'll get rid of it before he leaves in the morning.

Back in my cell, I hear the sound of the lock clicking into place behind me. I lay down, turning over as if I had never left, closing my eyes with the anticipation of what tomorrow would bring.

Hours later, I woke to noise and commotion. Guards swarmed Pod 24, their voices sharp, urgent. From my vantage point, I could see the chaos unfold. A low chuckle escaped me as I crossed to my bunk, digging out the hidden phone from the wall.

I dialed Diego’s number.

The line connected, his voice low and commanding. “Hello?”

“Yeah, Diego, it’s me. Just wanted to let you know you’re good to go.”

I heard rustling before his reply. “Good to know. I’ll have your full payment wired in parts over the next few days.”

“Thanks, boss. It’s been a pleasure.”

His chuckle was low, chilling, the kind that carried weight. “The pleasure is all mine.”



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