Page 68 of On Your Life

>REPLY

From: Unknown

To: Sawtooth Penitentiary Warden

Subject: Re: Re: Procurement

Apologies. It trained well despite the scene. Do you have any suggestions since the scout failed? It makes the job quicker.

>REPLY

From: Sawtooth Penitentiary Warden

To: Unknown

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Procurement

A pod

Off Limits

B pod

Cell 12, 13

C pod

Cell 4,6

I read it multiple times. None of this makes sense.

“That’s my cell,” she says, stopping me in my tracks. “What do you think it means?”

She’s staring at the screen, her face drained of color. She looks at me with big eyes like I’m supposed to fucking know. My blood is boiling and I can’t seem to get it under control.

I shake my head and try searching different words, but nothing else comes up.

“This is the same date as our inspection,” I mutter.

Her eyes widen.

“Barbara told me to keep my head down, do you think she knows?” she asks.

That old bat knows everything and everyone. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was involved somehow seeing as she has nearly as much freedom as the officers.

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” I turn away from the computer. “I need to do more digging. We could be jumping to conclusions but I need you to listen to me right now.” I spin the chair around until she’s facing me again. Even in her current state of shock, she’s breathtakingly beautiful. “Do not, under any circumstances, come out of your cell tomorrow night. I’m going to try to get Riggs to take the night off and I’ll take over for him to watch out for you.” I crouch slightly so I’m level with her. “I cannot keep you safe unless you listen to me. Do you understand?”

She nods slowly. Before she can say anything, I lean down and press my lips to hers.

It’s different this time, slower. There’s no anger behind it. She returns the kiss without hesitation.

My hands cup each side of her face as I pull back. For a moment, neither of us speaks. Our foreheads rest together.

“Swear?” I ask.

Her eyes are heavy when they open.

“I swear,” she says.