part of Rodriguez’s story, too. Mack’s drowning in bitterness. He can’t have her, so he’s resorted to harassing her.

A worrisome fact because I want her too.

Could this be something that ends up happening to me as a result? I mean, going day in and day out feeling this intense vibe with someone and not being able to do anything about it would have to take its toll, right?

Then again, in Mack’s version of our sordid tale, his affection is also unrequited.

I may not know what the hell this is brewing with Benni, but I can tell you it, without a doubt, isn’t one-sided. She feels it as much as I do.

“I’m just gonna go,” Reynoso states. “This is stupid as hell.”

I’m expecting Mack to stop her as she brushes past him, but he doesn’t. He just stands there staring Benni down. I can’t see her; he’s blocking her out, but the amount of animosity that surges from that side of the room puts me on high alert.

That is, until a soft “Psst” meets my ears, cutting my eyes toward the sound. It’s Reynoso. She points behind her curvy frame with a subtle tip of her head and mouths, “Get him out of here.”

I swear to you the blood in my veins freezes over almost instantly.

For one, she definitely knows why I’m suddenly right here in this very spot, and two, the fact that she feels like someone needs to intervene Mack is shooting up all kinds of red flags.

Again.

I will snap that motherfucker in half if he has or ever lays a finger on her.

Fuck professionalism right up the ass at that point. If he’s hurting her, I don’t think I’ll be able to keep a lid on it.

“Hey, Mack,” I call out evenly—with absolutely no plan whatsoever other than to get him away from her.

The way he tenses only heightens my newfound suspicions. He barely turns all the way around, peering at me from over his shoulder.

“Everything okay in there? Need some help?” That’s all I’ve got off the top of my head, but it works nonetheless because that gets him moving.

He shakes his head as if breaking free from some invisible hold, takes one last quick glance at Benni, and then walks out. “No, I think we’re good. These two were a little too close, but I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt.” Stopping not far away from me, he cuts his eyes around the room, immediately noting Jordan’s absence. “Where’s Jordan?”

“On one of his breaks.”

“Right.” He surveys the block a second, then proceeds to motion around us. “You got this out here?”

Really?

Takes every ounce of respect I can muster not to contort my expression and give him some smart-assed remark. “Pretty sure, man. Not my first day.”

Okay, so still smart-assed, but it’s a helluva lot better than what I could’ve said.

He gets it, though, his stare narrowing just slightly. Sliding my hands into my pockets, I lift my chin a fraction. What’s he gonna do? Fire me for it?

Wouldn’t fly, and he knows it.

“Right, my bad.” He shoots a finger gun toward the gate. “I’m gonna run down to the bathroom. I’ll be right back. Gotta take a piss.”

Oh yeah, they’re definitely fucking.

“No problem, take your time,” I reply, tamping down the chuckle itching the back of my throat.

Mack takes off into oblivion, leaving me in the burning wake of Benni’s gaze. I can see her through my peripherals, all but begging me to spare her the tiniest look. Even after I gave her my reply, I’ve stuck to the plan, to remain professional and do everything in my power from fueling this thing any further.

But today—today, I’m not that strong.

The need to check up on her was visceral enough as it is, but after Mack and his bullying bullshit, I have to look at her, need to see with my own two eyes that she’s okay. It’s not going to be easy, I’ll tell you that much. After so many days of purposely avoiding her and keeping her at arm's length, I have no doubts connecting with her again is going to knock the wind right out of me.

Might even drop me to my knees if you want me to be real.

Papá Dios, dame fuerza. Dear God, give me strength.

Bracing myself for impact, I turn my head ever so slowly toward her cell, and there she is, curled up at the edge of her bed, regarding me with these sad doe eyes that get me right in the feels.

So much sadness, so much grief. Why? What the hell happened?

My brain’s yelling at me to move—to traipse these floors until I’m in her space—when I see her reach into her shirt and retrieve a piece of paper.

She replied.

My chest constricts, eyes widening at the sight of it in her hands. A part of me had hoped she would despite me telling her a paper trail could get messy. And it’s true, it can, but this is the last one. I won’t reply after this.

I can’t.

Benni crooks a finger at me, the somber shading of her expression brightening with mischief. I have to hold back a smile. She’s naughty by nature; that much I know for sure.

Shaking my head as faintly as possible, I turn back to scan the area. You know, so that it looks like I’m doing my job and not out here playing with fire. But I can still see her from my peripheral, rising from the bed.

Ambling to the door.

Don’t do it. Please don’t—

“CO Bala?” she calls out, all seemingly innocent and shit.

She did it.

Fuck. My. Life.

Sliding my most even mask in place, I pivot my head toward her, heart hammering in my chest. She flashes me another one of those dick-twitching smiles and crooks that little finger again. “Can we chat for a moment?”

No.

“Is there a problem?” I assert, full-on in my expected role, widening Benni’s smile.

“Actually, there is.”

This girl really is fire. Puro fuego. Candela. She’d ruin me if

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