Mari hums, but it’s not in complete agreement, placing another pair of pants with its matching top and specifically numbered bag. “Word through the grapevine is her moves are what she’s making moves on. After what happened last week, she’s trying to change things up.”
Freezing in place, I mentally repeat what she’s just said and allow myself to absorb it. Nah...there’s no way. Koko can’t be that stupid. “Explain. How do you know this?”
“Quinn. I guess Koko’s mom sent her some money, and she was able to get a beauty day penciled in over the weekend. I’m also guessing she didn’t know Quinn was in beauty that day ‘cause she spilled the beans to Jahna without any reservations.”
Interesting. Jahna’s D Block, but she’s cool people—a lifer with mad hair skills. She gets on with pretty much everyone. “And what exactly is she planning to do?”
“One of the CO’s in D Block is dirty as fuck. Ryker’s his last name, I think. Anyway, Franca’s been fucking him for months already. Her pussy must be gold ‘cause, apparently, he volunteered to help their efforts.”
Oh yeah, I’ve heard of Ryker. He’s fucked lots of the girls here. Some by choice, others not so much… How he still has a job, I’m not too sure. Given how Franca’s mind works, it doesn’t surprise me her crazy ass is giving him access to her pussy.
What I am surprised about is that—as it would turn out—Koko is that stupid.
I already know the answer to my next question, but I put it out there for Mari to confirm. “I’m assuming this new mule means she’s breaking off with another partner, correct?”
Mari nods and reaches for another garment. “Bingo.”
I almost shake my head. Damn shame, this is what it’s come to.
All right, Kovitz. I got you.
“Ladies,” Birks's voice booms into the laundry room, halting us all in place. “Start wrapping up. You’ve got five minutes until pick-up.”
When his big-ass frame returns to the hallway, and the rest of the girls start scrambling about to finish up the loads, I turn back to Mari. “I’m not gonna say a word to her about it.”
Her dark browns widen. “You’re not?”
“Nope.” I grin. “Not now, anyway. Let her think everything is gravy, that I’m just letting her do her thing. She and I will chat when it’s finally time to collect.”
Mari doesn’t like that answer, expression fraying with worry. “B, don’t be doing anything stupid. It’s not worth it. I only told you ‘cause—”
“I got this. I’m not gonna fuck her whole shit up. She just needs a reminder of how things work around here. She wants to link up with Franca? By all means, go for it, but she’s gonna keep giving me my cut if she’s gonna bring that shit in here and sell to our girls.”
That answer doesn’t sit well with her either, lips thinning disapprovingly, but she doesn’t push her opinion. I suspect it’s ‘cause we don’t have time. I’m sure I’ll hear about it later, though. Mari’s not old enough to be my mom, but she worries and loves like a mom. She has a big heart, and if you’re part of her clique, she only wants the best for you. Knowing how hard I’ve been working on getting my early release, she’s undoubtedly going to give me an entire list of reasons—probably scribbled on a piece of notebook paper—as to why I should just let Koko do her thing and turn the other cheek. I can see her passionate ass already, my lips twitching at the thought.
Let’s just say dinner is going to be interesting.
Five minutes later, we got all the laundry sorted in their individual bags and onto the cart for redistribution. CO Rodriguez took Diana and Kati to do just that, leaving the rest of us with Walker...and him.
Andrés.
When I saw him coming to pick us up, knowing he would end up right behind me, my heart literally stopped and not in a good way.
I wasn’t kidding when I said he’s barely spared me a look in the last six days. He will, if it’s in relation to the job, but other than that?
Nothing.
It’s like he flipped the switch from one day to the next like I don’t exist, and I don’t understand why. Truthfully, I haven’t really tried to pick it apart and understand it. Yeah, the change is drastic from his first two days here, but it was only that. Two days. Forty-eight measly hours.
So why am I tripping about it?
The high, my subconscious whispers, which like always, isn’t wrong. The rush he gave me multiple times in those two days. God… I haven’t felt so alive in such a long time. I’ve been dying within these walls, suffocating, wasting away day by day because I made stupid choices fueled by greed and musings of the heart. The world around me had lost its lustrous color, all its vibrant hues drained in entirety until only shades of gray, black, and white existed.
But in came Andrés, splattering different colors on the dark monochrome canvas that is my life with a single look. And that dimpled smile? He smiled at me, and all I could think was holy shit. The man sparked a flame I’m sure he didn’t mean to spark, and I think what gets me most is, I know he felt it too.
Is that why? Does it feel as overwhelming for him as it did for me? Unless it’s the kite? Was that a step too far?
Probably.
That has to be it. Looks, smiles, and stolen whispers can’t be proved…a paper trail can.
I’m so deep in my analysis, trying to connect the dots and give myself some sort of an answer, that the sound of his throat clearing behind me almost sends me through the roof. I’d forgotten he was there. Hand slamming down against my racing heart, I force myself to breathe and keep on as normal...until I hear it again, closer than before.
He’s not dangerously close, but the heat
