Lucy beat me to it. She bent her wide body down to pick up the folder and saw Colt’s photo clipped inside. Her eyes popped open wide. “Is this the hunk you get to go see in the prison?”
She gasped, looking at me. The office was half-full and all heads rotated to me with great interest. Embarrassed, I snatched the file back from her.
“Give me that, Lucy,” I hissed.
She put her hand on her hip, blocking me from sitting down. I hardened my gaze to the ground, pretending something was there.
“You didn’t answer my question. Is this the guy you get to go see?”
“Yes, his name is Colt. If you don’t mind, I have to go now. I have an appointment.”
Lucy reeled back. “Oh. I would have several appointments if I could. You work it, girl.” She opened her mouth, giving me a suggestive wink.
I composed myself and made a few calls, but my main focus was getting to the prison. I made a quick turnaround on my tasks and breezed back out of the door.
As I rode over, my phone rang. I fidgeted around and put the phone in its holder near the dash, pressing the green call button. I frowned as it was a private number.
“Um, hello. You’re on speaker,” I warned.
“Hey, big sis. It’s your bro.”
I almost swerved into another car in the next lane. I gripped the wheel hard and focused. I waved, mouthing sorry at the unsuspecting driver.
“Hector! Oh my God, why did you take so long to contact me? I’ve been worried sick about you. It’s been a month.” The words tumbled out of my mouth as I turned into the long road to the penitentiary.
“I had to adjust some things. I’m in San Francisco.”
I swallowed down the bad feelings I harbored. “Are you okay? Are you staying with good people?”
His tone sounded even and calm. Like he was laying low and out of trouble. “I’m good. You don’t have to worry, I’m staying lowkey. You heard from that guy inside? Anything he can do?”
“Yes. His name is Colt. He is connected. He’s working on something. It might take some time but hang in there. As long as they don’t know where you are, then you’re good.”
“I ain’t got too many around me. I do want to come back. I can’t hide out here forever. Plus, Las Balas runs out of San Fran. It’s not that far. So, either I’m going to be on the run ‘till I come up with the money, and they still might kill me anyway, or I’m out and have to leave completely.”
Fearful thoughts crept into my mind as I imagined the news report.
A young man, only twenty-five-years-old, was found dead today. Another taken by gang affiliations to the notorious Las Balas crew.
“None of that is going to happen. It’s all getting smoothed out. Can you send me a number or something? How can I reach you with information?” I pushed. I parked in the USP parking lot, waiting for his answer.
“I will text it through. Delete it as soon as you get it. Don’t let anybody see it.”
“I won’t. Promise. So glad you’re safe, little bro.”
“Well. For now.”
“Don’t say that. Stay positive.”
“I’m trying. Anyway, listen, I have to go, but kiss Mom and Dad for me. I know they think I’m on some sort of retreat or whatever. But just give them a kiss for me.”
“Sure, I will. I don’t know when I’m seeing them next, though. Bye for now.”
“Don’t worry about it, then. Bye.”
As I got everything together for the visit, I felt somewhat comforted that Hector was unscathed. I got out of my car and walked to the automatic double doors, making tracks to the administration window. Same drill as last time.
I flashed my Department of Human Services badge. “Hi, I’m Amber Atwood, and I’m here to see my client, Colt Winters.”
The administration officer on the inside looked at the badge then back at me, matching things up.
“Okay, you can go through now, Ms. Atwood.”
She opened the locked gate, and I went through to the same meeting room as usual. A guard stood watch outside the door. A camera sat in the left-hand corner, lurking over our conversation. My stomach danced with the lightness of butterflies as I entered the room. Colt’s eyes held a strong element of hot, provoking intensity as I strolled in.
“Hi, Amber.” He almost breathed my name. Hot damn.
“Hi, Colt. You’re looking well.” A blatant, ballsy lie. He was looking more than good. His steamy blue eyes had me hooked, along with his rippling forearms that I wanted around me. Faded tattoos peeked out the sleeves of his tawny-colored prison uniform, making him the ultimate bad boy.
“Thanks. I look as well as a prisoner can look. Granted, I won’t be one for long. You look really nice. I like your lipstick.” A wide, flirty grin followed the statement. So he did notice. It was worth the effort. I wanted him to look at me. I wanted him to notice.
“Thanks, Colt. It’s a new color that I’m trying out.”
He grabbed the water jug and poured me a glass of water, handing it to me. “With or without makeup, you look beautiful. I hope you don’t mind me saying.” His hooded eyes scanned me with appreciation.
“No. I don’t. I can take a compliment,” I answered flirtatiously.
“Good.” He sank a little lower in his seat as I pulled out his documents. “I have some news for you. It’s about Hector. I’m going to need your help, though. If he doesn’t get this sorted out now, he’s in trouble. I have three months to go. Otherwise, my hands are tied. If I can’t get out, I won’t be able to set up this prison debt overhaul. You scratch my back, and I scratch yours.” Colt’s creamy voice let me know he was a good negotiator. My tongue was dry, so I took a sip of water. I felt like I was between a rock and a hard place. I loved my brother more than anything.
“Colt. I personally don’t see why that can’t happen. The crime you committed was, you know, not one of a killer. It’s not like you’re a threat to society. You’re not a drug runner, either.” I put on my thinking cap. “I think we can win an appeal of your parole denial due to overcrowding because you have the extenuating circumstance of threats to your safety. This combined with the fact you’re not a threat to society and with the pettiness of the crime we have to have a good shot.”
The sexual chemistry between us caused my voice to break into a croak. Colt wouldn’t stop looking at me. A painful silence made the room’s tiny noises seem loud.
“Are we going to address this?” He flicked his finger back and forth like a needle, indicating us.
“I mean, it’s not a good situation. It doesn’t look good.” I slid a piece of my hair between my fingers, casting my eyes down. As I looked up, the intensity that Colt displayed was unmatched and being channeled toward me.
“I could care less what looks good, Amber. We look good. I want to get to know you better. I don’t think I’m alone in this. Am I?”
Colts biceps flexed as he slid back up in his chair. My body was radiating heat from top to toe.
“No. You’re not alone in it, but it’s a delicate situation and one to be handled carefully. I don’t want to lose my job,” I declared.