A coy smile spreads over her features. “I suppose not.” Her tongue darts out and wets her lips. “Axel, I tried to talk to them on your behalf. I—”
“Hey.” I cut off her off, shaking my head. “None of that. Doesn’t matter. You didn’t kill that guy. I did that. You look real pretty today, Coralie.”
A tear slides down her cheek and it kills me to see her cry. To see her blaming herself. She may not be mine, but she used to be. I care about her. She’s all I have left in this fucked up mess that is now my life. I let Ainsley go. I gave her to my brother even though she was never really mine to give. I wanted her. I knew what would come with her…money…power…the fresh start away from Drag Creek I desperately needed. I should cut Coralie loose too. Tell her to go out and live her life. Be happy. Finish school. Meet someone nice. Someone who isn’t like me.
“We were never gonna work, were we?”
We come from two different worlds. “Don’t say never.” I wink at her.
“Oh, Axel. God, I wish I could just reach through this glass and hug you. You have to know that I did love you. I did. I think maybe I still do.”
“I know. I loved you too. Part of me always will.”
Her throat bobs and she bites back her tears. “I’m going to be here every week. You’re not in this alone. I’ve been talking to this guy from school. He’s pre-law and he thinks maybe we could find a way to get you an earlier release.” Her voice drops. “He knows things about Jacob and his father. Neither of them were good people. There were charges pending on Jacob. The Senator paid lots and I mean lots of money to cover it up, but there’s this girl. He raped her and beat her up. You coming to that party and knocking hi
m out probably saved me from sharing her fate. I had no idea. I feel so stupid. I’m so sorry, Axel. But that’s beside the point. I think he bribed people to make sure you were locked up. Honestly, I don’t think Jacob died from you hitting him. I think there is a lot more going on than anyone knows. Do you know what Jacob dying has done for his father’s career?”
“Piece of shit or not, I still have to answer for what I did. I’ll do my time. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be just fine.” I lick the cut on my upper lip from the fight I got into yesterday. Couple of Skinz jumped my ass. Was no big deal. I held my own. The Mexicans have it out for me too. Lots of enemies in here but I have friends too.
“I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Stop poking around places you shouldn’t. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
The guard steps forward. “Time’s up.”
“Next week. I’ll be here.”
I nod and turn my back on her sad eyes.
I should tell her to stay the fuck away, but I’m a selfish bastard and misery loves company.
“I love you, Axel,” she cries out. I can hear the tremble in her voice, and it cuts me in two.
We created this situation.
I do blame her partly and want her to hurt and suffer.
I can be a cruel son’bitch when I wanna.
I’ve got the blood of Slim and Rebel Black running through my veins.
I can only hope Ainsley is faring better with my brother, but the truth is, I know he’s a bastard. He’s like me. We take what we want and don’t care who we hurt. It’s why I trust him to do right by Ainsley when push comes to shove. He’s always envied me. Always wanted to walk in my boots. Be the big brother. The one who’d inherit the club. He got his wish. He better enjoy it while it lasts because when I do get out, I’m going to Texas and taking back what’s mine.
Nothing will come between me and Ainsley. Nothing will keep me from my rightful place as Prez.
Not even blood.
I hold my hands up and the cuffs go back on for the walk back to lockup.
Back in my cell I lay on my cot and think about Ainsley. Her smile. Her carefree attitude. I hope she hasn’t lost her spirit. I know my pushing her away is a dick move, but I don’t want her worrying about me and wasting her time and money on things that won’t do anything but bring her down. She has her own shit to worry about, and I can’t protect her from in here. But out there she has the next best thing. Abel.
He won’t let her down.
He won’t let me down.
Like he said, he’s his brother’s keeper and for now he’s keeping what’s mine.
Chapter 4