Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Tess nods.
“I remember. Martha Stewart was old when she went to jail too, and I remember she crocheted a sweater when she was behind bars.”
I nod.
“Her imprisonment was no walk in the park, I’m sure,” I say in a slow tone. “Just like Fishkill isn’t a walk in the park either. No correctional facility is a ‘country club’ like the saying goes, but some minimum-security places are better than others, definitely. But that’s beside the point. I’m supposed to get out next year, but the warden’s already informed me that he was considering me for early release based on my good behavior. I think if I give him this tape to help root out corruption in his staff, he’ll definitely follow-through.”
Tess nods.
“How early do you think?”
I shake my head.
“It’s hard to say. Hell, even getting the video into the right hands and getting it seen by the right people could take a while. But I’m hoping two months? Three months? God, I hope the wheels turn faster than that.”
Tess nods.
“I see.”
“But if you don’t feel comfortable about this, it’s fine,” I say in a serious tone. “I don’t want to pressure you, sweetheart, because your comfort level is the most important thing to me in the world. In fact, we don’t ever have to talk about this again if you’d prefer.”
My heart’s thumping in my chest because I think that’s what Tess would prefer. Hell, that’s what any woman would prefer because who really wants a video of them being gangbanged getting into the wrong hands? But my beautiful brunette takes another deep breath, and turns to me with a measured look.
“I trust you, Roland. If you think the warden and the DA can be trusted, then let’s give them the tape, and see if it helps with your bid for an early release.”
I’m overwhelmed with this woman’s generosity and unbidden, tears spring to my eyes again.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” I growl before leaning to kiss her as she lies in the hospital bed. “You have no idea what this means to me because ever since I was convicted, it feels like I have no one on my side. But now, I know that you’re here with me, and I appreciate it, Tess. I appreciate you. I love you, honey, and I swear I’ll live clean when I get out of this place. Hell, even before that. I’ve already changed my ways, and I intend to do right by you, sweetheart, if you’ll let me.”
Tess shoots me a wobbly smile then, clasping my huge hand in her small one.
“I know, Roland, and I love you too. There was never a question about what to do in my head. If releasing the tape to the appropriate parties is going to help you, then I want to do it. And I’m always on your side because we’re a team, right? We stick together.”
With that declaration, our lips meet in a passionate kiss because those words warm my heart until it’s practically vibrating. After all, I felt abandoned after my sentence was handed down. All my friends, cronies, and even enemies seemed to melt into the woodwork, as if I was no longer worth knowing.
But it doesn’t matter anymore because with Tess Stanfield at my side, I know I can handle anything. The curvy girl completes me, and as she stated, we’re a team now. We’re going to figure this out together, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.
EPILOGUE
Tess
Three months later.
I lead Roland into the small apartment, a bit embarrassed by how shabby it is.
“Well, it’s no Versailles, but this is home,” I say in a cheery voice while gesturing to the second-hand couch and peeling kitchen cabinets. “The good part is that the landlord seems understanding. I told him that I could only put down half of the deposit he wanted, and he was okay with it.”
But my handsome man doesn’t care. He merely pulls me into his arms before dropping a soft kiss on my mouth.
“You know our surroundings don’t matter, sweetheart,” he growls against my lips. “What matters is that we’re together. I’m out of Fishkill, and I appreciate everything you’ve done, Tess. After all it’s a lot for a young woman, but you’ve more than risen to the challenge.”
I nod because it’s true. After we gave the tape to the warden, Roland was fast-tracked for early release. I was a little nervous at first, but the DA seemed open to cutting a deal, and was grateful to have hard evidence when pressing a corruption case against the staff. As a result, after some legal wrangling, my lover was put on the list for release this week.
But it also meant that I had to spring into action because I needed to find a place for both of us, and Roland’s penthouse had been seized by the sheriff. As a result, I began to apartment-hunt like a fiend and was lucky to find this small one-bedroom in the Bronx. The neighborhood isn’t wonderful, and neither is the apartment itself, but what’s important is that my man and I have a place to call our own.