Night Is Darkest by Jayne Rylon (books recommended by bts .TXT) 📕

“I know but I made some spectacularly awful choices. Then, for a while, I forgot all about this mess. Even about Rob.”

“You’ve been through so much in the past week. You needed a break from the stress. We’re going to get to the bottom of this. I promise.”

“I just can’t untangle it all. I don’t know anyone named Irene, I’m certain of it.”

“Let’s just take things one step at a time, doll. We’re here. We’ll ask some questions, do a little fishing and see if we catch anything worth keeping.”

Mason turned into the penitentiary entrance, rolling to a stop at the guard shack. He retrieved his badge from his coat pocket then flashed the shield at the burly man on duty. “I’m Officer Clark of the OSPD here to speak with prisoner number 34625202. Chief Leigh made the arrangements.”

After verifying their identities and clearance, the linebacker gestured with his pump action shotgun. “Follow the main road to the visitor entrance on the left. Good luck.”

“Thanks, man.”

Mason tucked the four-by-four into a narrow space, disengaged his seatbelt then turned to face her. He cupped her cheek in his palm. “We won’t think less of you if you don’t want to face him.”

“I’m good. Let’s just get it over with already.”

He leaned in for a tender kiss then whispered, “So brave.”

“Easy when he’s behind bars. He will be, won’t he?”

“He’ll be cuffed but I want you to let me and Ty take the lead in case the moron tries to make a move. He’s never going to touch you again. I swear it.”

This time, she kissed him. “I’ll be fine. Let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty

Mason took point while Tyler linked hands with Lacey then stayed glued to her side. Funny, never having been in a prison, she had no idea what to expect. Other than the double locking doors like they used at her jeweler—or to keep butterflies in the local conservatory—and an impressive metal detector, there weren’t a lot of differences from a typical police station. The same dingy tiles clashed with snot colored paint made more horrid by the florescent lighting beating over the entire design disaster.

They strode to the front desk then explained their purpose once more. Uncomfortable plastic chairs full of static punished her sore ass while they waited fifteen minutes for the warden to meet them in the lobby.

“Ms. Daughtry. Officers.” He shook their hands with brusque formality. “I’m very sorry to hear of your brother’s passing, ma’am. It’s always a shame when we lose one of our finest.”

She hated the way he acted like he’d known Rob. Something about the man curdled her stomach. When Tyler wedged himself between them, relief washed over her.

“Well, let me escort you to our fine specimen straight away then.” Affronted, the official spun on his scuffed heel, a giant key ring jingling at his hip with each step they took into the bowels of the facility.

Mason added his hand to the base of her spine, steering her along their route. Their guide approached a sheet of tinted glass Lacey recognized as one way. Behind it, grinning like mad, sat Jackson. The neon orange of his jumpsuit shone through the smoky window. His greasy hair, shaggy beard and cuffed hands made him appear even more sinister than she recalled.

Her knees went weak. Mason had her secured against his side in a flash. “I’ll have the warden escort you back to the lobby.”

“No! I’ll be fine.” The thought of being alone with that creepy man almost seemed worse. “I just need a second out here to catch my breath first.”

After her heart stopped pounding, she nodded at the men. “I’m ready.”

“You’re sure?” Tyler tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Positive.”

“You heard the lady. Buzz us in, please.” Mason addressed the attendant.

He entered in the lead with Lacey in the middle. They’d agreed to stand while questioning Jackson both to seem more intimidating and to allow for an easy escape. Just in case. When Jackson caught sight of her, he beamed. His once handsome face still carried an iota of charisma, which made him even more dangerous in her book. He lounged, relaxed, in the sterile holding pen as though he were a sultan occupying a harem divan.

“Ah, lovely Lacey. You’re looking sweet as ever.” His tongue made a full circuit of his cracked lips. “Did you miss me?”

“Quit fucking around, asshole.” Mason wouldn’t stand for any bullshit.

With her men by her side, the terror she had expected never materialized. Instead, disgust crawled across her skin. Beneath the morass of conflicting emotions ran a surreal kind of pity. Though he’d raced past crazy a long, long way back, he’d possessed immense charm once. Busy studying him, she left the initial questions to the guys. Let them blow off some of the steam pressurizing their machismo.

“Why did you email Lacey last week, dirtbag?” Mason jumped straight into the heart of the matter.

“Haven’t you heard?” He winked at her. “I’m up for parole soon, baby. Being in this center has reformed me. I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for what I did.”

She refused to acknowledge his false apology. Even worse, she kicked the part of her that wanted to believe a core of decency could exist in his blackened soul.

“Honey, I’ve seen the error of my ways. I promise I’ll be good if they let me out.”

“Don’t fuck with her, Jackson,” Mason growled.

The prisoner continued to ignore everyone else present and speak only to her. A decent imitation of a remorseful wince exacerbated the recent grooves in his cheeks. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for what I did…”

“Who else wants you in lockup? Someone set a virus to make sure Lacey never received your message. That’s a lot of trouble to go to for no good reason.” Tyler joined in the fray.

A glimmer of unease betrayed Jackson’s smooth response. “I’m sure I don’t know anything about that. It’s easy