Page 5

His cousin had been on edge for the last twenty-four hours. It was understandable. They’d been down this road before. They’d been slated to be released months ago, but it had been delayed. Now, they were getting out. But neither would be at ease or convinced of their freedom until they heard the final prison gate close behind them.

While Hyde had been focused on the hallway, Jekyll had his eyes on the desk. It was bare except for the cupcake. The icing had hardened throughout the day and overnight. A few inmates who had come by had taken an interest in it. Jekyll had been offered a lot of cash for it. It was a hot commodity. He’d refused, even though he had no intention of eating it. Even Hyde had asked. During his life, he’d given everything to his cousin. But no one was getting that cupcake. She gave it to me, and it’s mine.

Imogene fucking Peppercorn.

I wish you both the best. And if you ever need a letter of reference, whether it be for work or character? I’d be happy to give you both one. It would be my pleasure.

Pleasure. Hearing that word come from her pink pouty lips almost had Jekyll cracking a smile. Almost. He’d pleasured himself more times than he could count to her mouth, her face, and envisioning her body under him. He’d had to have a damn good imagination to conjure up anything. Her uniform of choice was always long sleeved, high-necked, loose sweaters and baggy pants. It was customary for all of the volunteers to dress conservatively. But nothing could hide her face. Even without makeup and her auburn hair slicked back into a ponytail most days, her beauty was impossible to hide. The woman had tortured his soul from the first time he’d seen her in the yard. And every day after.

“Fucking finally.” Hyde stepped back from the bars.

The alarm sounded, and the door opened. Lance and another officer stood a few feet from the entrance.

“Let’s go.”

Jekyll stood, grabbing the small envelope of notes. It was the only thing worth taking from his time in prison. Letters from Cleo. Well, there was one more item worth something, but he left it behind. He tore his gaze from the desk and started following Hyde.

“Hey man, you don’t want the cupcake?” the other guard asked.

“He hates chocolate,” Hyde said, peering down the hall.

It was the truth. Jekyll didn’t have much of a sweet tooth to begin with, but when he did indulge, it was never chocolate. He could’ve licked off the vanilla icing, but he hadn’t. He’d kept it intact, exactly the way she’d given it to him and how he’d remember it.

To most people, the cupcake was just a dessert. To him, it was symbolic. No one, not his mother or any woman, had ever made something to celebrate him. But Imogene did. Jekyll had spent over a year trying to keep his distance while figuring her out. No one is this fucking sweet. Unless there’s an ulterior motive. Everybody wanted something, and they’d use anything to get what they wanted. He’d gone as far as reaching out to the MC and having them dig into her. He needed to know her motivation and what she wanted from him and Hyde.

Months later, he still didn’t know, though he maintained his suspicion. There were very few people he trusted. And the prison librarian wasn’t one of them.

The guard lifted his chin toward the cupcake. “Mind if I take it?”

Jekyll clenched his jaw, scowling. He slowly walked back to the desk, grabbed the cupcake, and crushed it in his hand. He tossed the remnants into the trash can, wiped his hand on his pants, and walked out.

Yeah, I fucking mind.

They were led through the prison in silence. The release procedure was standard and not his or Hyde’s first rodeo. They’d both been repeat offenders since they were teens. They knew the drill. They changed their clothes and stood at the desk waiting to be processed out. Neither of them had come in with anything of value. They knew better.

Ed signed off on their paperwork and handed them each a manilla folder. Jekyll grabbed his without a word.

“Hold up. One more thing.” Ed bent down behind the desk and popped up with two books in his hand.

Hyde shook his head. “We ain’t religious. You can keep that.”

Ed laughed, shaking his head. “It’s not the Bible.” He reached out his arms, offered them each a book, and lowered his chin. “It’s from Imogene.”

What the fuck?

Hyde snorted. “She give everyone a book?”

“No, this is a first.” Ed shifted his gaze between them. “You guys must be special.”

Jekyll’s back straightened, and he fisted his hand. Why the hell would she go out of her way for them? They weren’t special. Never had been, never would be.

Hyde shared a look with him then snatched both books from Ed’s hand and tucked them under his arm. They walked to the door in silence.

“Best of luck, guys.”

Both Jekyll and Hyde ignored Ed.

They walked the long, heavily fenced trail down to the dirt parking lot. They’d been given permission to receive their own pickup rather than be transported to the bus stop.