Page 29 of Hart of Vengeance
Mallory peeked around from her cubicle, an act that was becoming quite the norm. Not that I minded, although sometimes I wanted to be left alone to get work done. “Your phone rang while you were in with Kelton too.”
I blew out a breath. “It’s Savannah.”
Mallory came around the short fabric-covered wall. “We haven’t talked about your visit. Is she okay?”
I didn’t want to burden her with my problems. Mallory had been through hell with me, and she deserved a break. But I knew my BFF, and she wasn’t going to leave until I gave her something.
“I’ll tell you later.” I didn’t want to go into detail. There were too many ears around us. “On another note, Kelton was just talking to Denim.” My stomach dipped again, just like it had when I’d heard Denim’s husky tone through the speakerphone.
She crossed her arms over her black sweater dress, her blue eyes narrowing. “No one’s around.”
That was true. We were close to quitting time, and some of the other paralegals had closed up for the evening.
I sighed. “Savannah was pretty beat up when I saw her.”
Mallory pushed out her small shoulders. “I’m sorry. But doesn’t that happen? You said yourself Denim was bruised from a fight.”
For the first time, I felt uncomfortable talking to Mallory about Savannah. I didn’t want to be scolded or have her tell me that Savannah made her bed, or that it was time for me to back away. Savannah was family, and family came first. I’d agreed with Kelton when he’d told me that very thing, and my belief hadn’t changed.
“Put yourself in her shoes or mine, Mal. Let’s say your sister, Cara, was in prison or shacked up with a man like Duke. What would you do?” I knew Mallory, and she would be devastated if Cara did anything like Savannah had.
“Fair point,” she said. “I’m only trying to protect you.”
“I know. I love you for that.”
“Is that why she’s calling, though? Surely you can’t fight her battles for her.”
I moved a notebook around on my desk. “She wants money for protection.”
For a moment, I’d almost called Duke. But I would rather pull out my teeth than ask him for money.
Mallory lowered her arms and pressed her hands on my desk. “Maybe you should find out if what she’s telling you is true before you give her money you busted your butt for. Please.”
“How? It’s not like I know someone inside. I could talk to the warden, but he would probably give me some scripted answer about how he wouldn’t let anything happen to any one of the inmates.” Or he would tell me that everyone in prison was scared.
“Ask Kelton for advice, then. He said he would help you. Maybe he can pay a visit with you to the prison. Lawyers have a way of getting through to people.”
Savannah was my problem, not Kelton’s, and despite his offer to help, I couldn’t bring him into my mess. I didn’t want him to think I couldn’t handle my own business.
But Mallory was right. Before I went into full panic mode, I somehow had to confirm if Savannah was in danger.
I massaged my temples. “I have to get something done for Kelton before I leave.”
She placed her hand on my shoulder. “Why don’t we grab a drink after work?”
The idea of a drink made me wet my lips. I could taste the tequila on my tongue. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.” Between the Savannah situation and knowing Denim was out of prison, my pulse was in overdrive. “I might drink until I pass out.”
“I won’t let that happen,” Mallory said.
I pressed the button on my keyboard to wake my computer when my phone rang again. Savannah was relentless when she wanted something. “I should take it.”
Mallory stabbed her finger toward her desk. “I’ll be right there if you need me.”
I waited for Mallory to leave, shook off the nerves, and answered.
“Jade.” Savannah’s voice was frantic. “Did you get the money?”
“I told you a week. I don’t get paid until Friday.”
