Thirty-Three

One Year Later

Travis stared at Angeline through the window and grabbed the phone next to him. She picked up the one on her side and balanced the baby in her other arm. 

“You grow lovelier every day. And look how big Travis junior has grown since last week.” Travis smiled, meaning every word. Sure, he’d been upset about the news at first. More upset when Angeline had admitted to quitting the pill. But now, his family was all he could think about.

“He’s really growing fast.” She snuggled the baby, her face lighting up. 

Travis tugged on the ugly orange suit. “I can’t wait to get out of this thing. You got confirmation from your friend about the jury’s decision, right?”

“Shh.” She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t let them think you’re involved with anything illegal. That might be all they need to keep you in there.”

“Did you?” he insisted.

She shook her head and popped a pacifier in the squirming baby’s mouth. “No. Just that they came to a decision. Wes promised me he’s taken care of everything. And tomorrow, you’ll be a free man. We’ll finally be a family.”

“I’ll finally get to hold our son. The first thing I’m going to do is take you on that vacation. It’s long overdue.”

Angeline smiled sweetly. “I’ve already packed. The flight is booked. We just have to wait for the judge to read the victory.”

“Exactly.” 

“Calloway,” said the prison guard behind him. “Time’s up.”

Travis kissed his first two fingers and pressed them against the window. Angeline did the same.

“See you tomorrow.” She blew him a kiss.

“It’s a date. A victory celebration for three.” He hung up and turned around, eager to get back into his cell. 

The clock indicated they had another twenty minutes before that would happen. The guard led him outside to the yard. Travis found an empty spot along the building and leaned against it, trying to blend in.

It didn’t work. 

Three inmates sauntered over to him.

“How’s the Lady Killer?” Bulldog asked, folding his arms. He stood taller than the rest and could cause a total eclipse of the sun on his own.

“Innocent until proven guilty,” Travis said.

The three laughed.

“Yeah, I ain’t done nothin’, either.” Deuce’s lip curled, exposing several gold teeth.

“Tomorrow’s your big day, isn’t it?” asked Maverick. 

“Yeah.” Travis glanced to the side and took a few steps away, hoping they’d take the clue.

“I don’t think Lady Killer likes us,” Bulldog said. 

Travis stepped forward and stared. “Stop calling me that. I never touched anyone.”

Bulldog pulled up his shirt, exposing a razor tucked into his pants.

“Where’d you get that?” Travis exclaimed. And more importantly, what was going to do with it?

“Don’t matter none. Keep your space, Lady Killer.”

Travis stepped back to his place against the wall. He glanced away again.

“You think you goin’ free?” Deuce asked, rolling up his sleeve. “Lady Killer.”

He turned and stared at him. “Look, I don’t care what you or anyone says. I never touched her. When she died, I was out of the state.”

“Never touched her?” Maverick asked. “Why you in here, then?”

“Yeah, why?” Bulldog stepped closer.

Deuce narrowed his eyes. “You know what we do to guys who hurt women and children?”

Travis swallowed. “Guess I’ll never know.”

Maverick snorted. “You got that wrong. Don’t he, boys?”

“I have to get ready for court.” Travis edged away from them.

“That’s what you think.” Deuce grabbed his collar. “Don’t walk away when we’re talking to you.”

Travis narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. “Let go of me.”

“Why? You got someone on your side?” Deuce looked around. “I ain’t seein’ no one coming to help you out.”

“Just let me go. They’re going to call us in soon.”

“That just means I gotta make this fast.”

Bulldog and Maverick laughed.

“I can pay you off,” Travis said. “Any amount you wish.”

“You can’t buy your way out of trouble in here, pretty boy.”

“What about your families? Couldn’t your girlfriends use some new jewelry while waiting for you out there? Or your moms?”

“Wait,” Maverick said. “My kid needs braces. Can you—?”

“Shut up,” Bulldog warned. 

“You got enough for braces?” Maverick asked.

Travis breathed a sigh of relief. “Yeah. All the orthodontic care you need.”

Deuce hit Travis across the face. A ringing sounded in his ears. 

“You losers aren’t getting a dime now.”

All three piled on top of Travis, hitting him on all sides. Something sliced deeply into his flesh, just above his elbow. Warm blood ran down his arm.

“Stupid Lady Killer,” someone muttered just before another fist slammed into the side of his head. 

Travis blacked out.