“No one’s getting hurt!”I snapped, standing solidly between Chuck and Grayson.“Get out of the ward, Grayson.Now!”
The doors to the infirmary burst open and a group of about twenty guards stormed into the room.Chuck gave a startled, fearful yelp but didn’t say anything.I recognized Roberts and Johnson at the head of the pack of men and relief swamped me.Maybe everything wouldn’t come crashing down on me.Today.
The guards surrounded Chuck, leaving Grayson to pull back and give his account to Roberts before I could.This was going to be tricky, and I had no idea who I could trust.Before he’d been released, Dr.Raven -- Pain -- said to go to Roberts or Johnson if anything happened so maybe I could feel things out from there.I was happy he was out, but I really, really wish he was here right now.
Behind me, Chuck grunted in pain and I couldn’t stand by and let the guards beat him up.“Stop!Don’t hurt him!”
“Please step back, Miss Brentner,” one of them said in a crisp no-nonsense manor.“We’ve got to restrain this sack of shit before we take him to solitary.”
“He didn’t do anything.I hit my body alarm, but not because of anything Chuck did.He’s completely innocent and I will sign an affidavit to that effect.”
Finally, the guard looked startled and a bit unsure.“Hold up, guys.”I thought he called the halt reluctantly, but maybe I was living in the drama.Chuck still whimpered and was shaking like a leaf, but he kept mostly silent.“Grayson!You were here.What the fuck happened?”
“I’ll talk to Roberts,” I said.“I was here too.In fact, I was the one who pressed the damned alarm in the first Goddamned place.”I was fed up with this fucking shit.Judging by the look on Guard Roberts’ face, he knew it too.“Now, if someone could please get Dr.Martinez, I need her to check Chuck over to make sure he’s not been reinjured.”I have no idea where my backbone came from, but I could tell it took more than one of them by surprise.Particularly Grayson, who now looked at me like I was public enemy number one and he was fucking J.Edgar Hoover.
“You heard the lady.”Guard Johnson motioned for all the guards but one to leave then spoke into his radio.“Infirmary all clear.Threat contained.”Johnson and the person on the other end of the radio traded a few more exchanges which sounded like codes or something.Probably authenticating the all-clear.
“Come with me, Miss Brentner.”Roberts waved his hand in the direction of the offices.It was also the way out of the infirmary and to the main part of the prison.Where there were more guards I didn’t trust.
“How about we use Dr.Martinez’s office.I’m sure she won’t mind.”I saw the woman in question come up behind Roberts when I spoke and smiled at her.
“Sure.What happened, Nadine?Are you hurt?”
“No.I promise.I’m fine.I’ll explain later, but would you mind staying with Mr.Smith until we get done?”I held the other woman’s gaze for several seconds while she glanced around the room taking it all in, her eyes narrowing before she
Dr.Martinez gave me a hard look.“What happened, Nadine?Tell me.”
I turned to Roberts, giving him a pleading look.“Is there someone you trust to stay with Doc?I mean really trust.Johnson maybe?”
Roberts gave me a hard look before nodding slowly.“Yeah.I’ll get Johnson.Livingston, too.He’s on the approved list.”
I had no clue what an approved list was, but I hoped he knew what he was doing.“Roberts?”He held my gaze.“Make sure Grayson isn’t alone with any of the women.”
Unsurprisingly, Roberts nodded.“Understood.Now, take me to Doc’s office because I think I need to hear this.”
Ten minutes later, after telling him everything relevant that I knew, Roberts stormed out of the office and back to the main ward.“Johnson, stay here.No one comes inside the infirmary unless they’re on the list.And if you see that fuckin’ cunt, Grayson, help him have an accident.”Dr.Martinez gasped, but when she looked from Roberts to me, then to Chuck, she didn’t say anything.“Nadine?”-- he pointed a finger at me -- “you stay here.Don’t leave with anyone other than me or Johnson.Understand?”
“What’s going to happen?”
“Do you understand, Nadine?”This time, Roberts took a step toward me, putting a hard, threatening edge to his words, making my heart race.In fear.This was why we made good money.No matter what part of this place a person worked in, there was always an element of risk.I hadn’t been blind to the danger before, but I’d thought myself safe as long as I followed the rules.Now, I was seriously reevaluating my life choices.
“Yes.I understand.”I went to Dr.Martinez who looked as wide-eyed as I’m sure I did.“I’m sorry, Rachel.”I never called the other woman by her first name.It was a form of respect I tried to honor.
“This isn’t your fault, Nadine.But what’s going on?”
I pulled her in and whispered softly for her ears alone.“Grayson threatened me.I have no doubt he’d have killed me if everyone hadn’t gotten here as quickly as they did.”
“What the hell caused this shit?”Dr.Martinez was furious.She was also scared; I could see it in her eyes.
“I’m not sure, but I think it might have something to do with Pain being released.”
Dr.Martinez narrowed her gaze, looking off.“That actually makes sense.I thought I caught him looking at the two of you when he worked in here, but I figured it was just him keeping an eye on everyone so nothing went off the rails.”
“I’ve never been inappropriate with Pain, Dr.Martinez.”I knew my eyes were wide, but I couldn’t help it.Almost every woman who worked the infirmary with Dr.Raven had made no secret she’d fuck him in a heartbeat.If I was being honest, I understood it.The man was sex on a stick, but sexy or not, he was still an inmate.It was more than inappropriate to get involved with a prisoner.I knew not everyone had the same feelings.Some did whatever they wanted, and I knew there were female guards as well as medical staff who disregarded that rule.
“Honey, of all people, you are the last person I’d accuse of fucking an inmate.”
“We worked here together.That’s all.We kept our conversations professional for the most part.We talked about our pasts, but I didn’t bring it up unless he did.Then I mostly listened.”
