“Drop your pants, shithead,” Chuck said.
Jeff’s fingers shook as he unbuttoned the snap of his jeans and then slowly rolled the zipper downward.
Chuck stopped him. “On second thought, I think you’ll suck my dick first.” He forced Jeff to his knees. Keeping the gun at his neck, Chuck worked his own snap and zipper.
Jeff resigned himself to his fate.
Nothing had changed. He was a free man, but he was in a new kind of hell.
He swallowed the nausea and closed his eyes. He’d do what he had to do.
And then, the voice of an angel.
“Put that gun down and slide it across the floor, you sick fuck.”
* * *
Thirty-Three Years Earlier
“God, Mia, you haven’t been here in so long. I’ve missed you. How are you? Are you okay?”
His first thoughts were for her. Her well-being, when he was the one locked up.
“I’m…okay. How are you?”
“Been better. But I’m finally going to meet with the public defender later today. Then we’ll get things going. I might get a few years for the robbery, but I hope not. I… God, Mia I’m so sorry. I wish I’d never done such a stupid thing.”
She nodded. “I know, Jeff. But you did.” She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.”
A few seconds of silence passed. Maria gathered her courage. She had to tell him. She’d made a decision for the good of her child. There was no turning back.
She bit her lip. “I’m not sure how to tell you this.”
“Go ahead, Mia. You can tell me anything.”
She sobbed into a tissue. “I love you.”
“I know you do. I love you too.”
“But I did something terrible, Jeff. And I know you won’t be able to forgive me.”
“I’d forgive you for anything.”
“Not this.”
“Just tell me. I’ll understand.”
“Oh, Jeff, how did it all come to this? You behind bars, waiting for some stupid public defender? I don’t understand.”
“I made a mistake. But I’ll tell the truth and I’ll pay my dues. And then we’ll be together.”
Maria shook her head. “I’m afraid we won’t be.”
“What?”
“I… I did the unforgiveable.”