Page 68 of Birdy

“Do it,” I urge him, swallowing down the hard lump of reality in my throat. “Cover him, and we’ll work out the logistics.”

It might be our one and only chance now. Let’s pray it’s not, but it might.

Looks likela Jefacould be going down...again.

?Te Lo Quiero Hacer - KAROL G & De La Ghetto

Come Monday morning,I clocked in as usual and informed Mack that I was clear to take Zhao’s shifts. He thanked me profusely since no one else looked like they were going to step up—him included—and proceeded to give me Tuesday off as well so I could ”rest up” for the remainder of the week. My first night shift was set for Wednesday, and we were ready, had the plan sorted and mapped out all the way down to exact times.

It sounds like I’m going throughMission Impossiblefor pussy, I know, but Benni isn’t justanypussy. I want that girl so bad, I’d sell my soul for her. Not just for another taste, either—all of her. I wantallof her, all the time, day and night.

And now that early release is on the table, this could very well be a possibility if she lets me.

Yes, I’m getting ahead of myself. Who knows how we’re going to feel two or three months down the line, let alone half a year, but right now from where we stand, the mere knowledge that Icouldhave her in my bed in just a few months’ time has me amped.

She has no idea what’s coming for her tonight; none whatsoever. I’m giving her my all—every solid inch, every feeling, every godforsaken emotion. I’m giving it all to her. I’m going to embed myself as deep inside her as she did to me, and hopefully, that’ll be enough to ensure she’s mine when she leaves the Annex behind.

And to think it all started with a look...

That’s exactly what I’m thinking about thirty minutes into my shift on Friday night. Ron Hadley, one of the other night guards, just called for Lights Out, meaning the plan officially starts...now.

Eleven on the dot.

Benni’s not ringing the call button in her cell until just after one—1:13 a.m. if you want in on the logistics. Once the box gets her alert, I’ll walk my happy ass over to her cell, play the typical “what’s the problem” card, and then I’ll suggest she takes a trip to medical after she gives me all the reasons why she can’t just deal with it and sleep it off. The performance is necessary, trust me. Her bunkie’s gotta buy it too. The good thing is Mack’s not here to interfere this time. From what I’ve learned about Hadley, he sits behind that desk the entire shift, so I’m pretty damn confident that the chances of him wanting to escort Benni to medical himself are slim, if not none.

Should’ve played the damn lotto ‘cause I was right on the money.

In the two hours leading up to everything going down, Hadley barely even spoke a word to me, nodding off in front of the computer with an ice-cold mug of coffee in his clutches. We’re two minutes till now, and he might as well have brought a pillow for his head. It’s no wonder none of my colleagues wanted to cover for Zhao. This shit sucks balls. I can’t imagine doing it every night. I could probably sit here and do nothing at all, and he wouldn’t know the difference.

But this has to look legit all around, so here I am, sorting out the few shots I had to give out over the last few days, all the while tryingnotto focus on the fact that I’m going to be balls deep inside my little jailbird in less than ten minutes. My dick’s twitching just thinking about it, jaw locking tight as I force those images from my mind.

Until the box suddenly starts going crazy, a loud yet somewhat muted buzzer going off on the control panel housing all of the camera screens. Hadley shoots upright, but I’m already out of my seat, shutting the damn thing off.

“Don’t worry, bud. I got it,” I tell him, casually stalking out the door as he nods appreciatively and slumps back over, taking another sip from his mug.

The cellblock is virtually dark at this hour, only a few recessed lights illuminating the way every few feet or so. Now that I’m on the move, my heart’s caught in my throat, pulse galloping wildly. All I can do is stay on track with the plan and hope it pans out the way we’re hoping.

Stay calm. You got this. Question her for the record and get her to medical.

Benni’s already at the door, watching me approach through the small window. Inhaling a deep breath, I pull out my keys and jam the correct one into the lock.

“What’s going on, Villanueva?” I ask upon yanking open the door perfectly in my expected role.

“My stomach,” she groans, arms crossed around her midsection. “I feel like I’m about to puke everywhere.”

“You have a toilet.” I tip my chin toward it, trying my damnedest not to crack a smirk in the process.

She looks so cute in her oversized sleep shirt.

Can’t wait to get her out of it.

“I know, but my head’s pounding, too. Literally feels like my brain’s about to blow right through. I’ve been trying to rest and sleep it off since before the lights went out, but I can’t fall asleep like this.”

“Sounds like you need to try harder.” I’m shutting the door—as per our plan—but she pushes it back open.

“Please, CO Bala, you don’t understand. This isn’t going to taper off on its own. I need to get down to medical and get checked out.” She’s pulling this off without a hitch, giving me those wide, pleading eyes and all.

It makes me want her all the more.

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