Free Thirty Nights with a Dirty Boy: Part 3: A Heroes and Heartbreakers Serial by Shiloh Walker

me out … or I’ll have to figure it out on my own. I got another six months before I’m up for parole. I’ll probably get out this time, but I need money to set myself up when I’m out.”
    “I’m not giving you jack.”
    “Yeah.” She tapped her nails on the surface of the table, smirking at me. “You are. Otherwise, I’m going to start reaching out to some contacts I’ve made. I’ve put out feelers, sweetheart. Plenty of people would love to hear about the past of the mysterious Ella Cruise. ”
    She dropped my name down and waited.
    I just laughed. “Do you think I’m surprised you know my name? And is this where you make the threat to come clean with some tell-all book, proclaiming how sorry you are?” Gesturing to the ever present security cameras, I said, “I wonder how easily people will believe you after I bribe somebody to get me a copy of that video.”
    Her face went white.
    “But here’s the deal … the first thing I’m doing when I leave here is contacting a news anchor I’m on good terms with. I’m done hiding in the closet. I’ll set up a time, and within twenty-four hours, my face … and your name … will be all over the news.”
    Her hands closed around the edge of the table. “Wait.”
    “No.” Shaking my head, I stood up. “I’m done … Mother. You picked a very, very bad time to try this.”
    “You fucking bitch! You do this and I’ll be dead within a week. I don’t have the money to…” She stopped and sucked in a breath.
    I looked over at Tom.
    He lifted a shoulder. “She should probably talk to the warden, see about getting transferred into solitary for the time being.”
    “Then I’d suggest you do it, Evelyn.” I gave the guards a polite nod. One of them had an odd look on his face, like he was trying not to smile.
    We left.
    By the time we got to the door, I was shaking so hard, I couldn’t even open it. Tom took care of it, and I almost stumbled outside into the cool, clean air. Sucking in a breath, I focused on the car ahead.
    Paul was beside it, waiting.
    There was a worried look on his face.
    I focused on him.
    And I smiled.

Chapter 8
    “Yes, Stacia … yes, that should work. Ten a.m. at my home.”
    I disconnected and looked up, found Paul watching me in the rearview mirror. The light ahead was red. Tom looked far calmer than Paul did.
    “Are you sure about this, Miss Ella?” Paul said.
    “Yeah.” I nodded. “I think I need to.”
    “Why now?” Tom asked, drawing my attention to him.
    I lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I’m not sure. Perhaps because she made the threat.” I smoothed at an imaginary wrinkle in the neat skirt of the pale gray suit I’d worn. Pale gray. Tomorrow’s outfit was pale blue. Last week had been a mix of pale rose, peach, pink, silver, and green. Most of my wardrobe was a mix of pastels or simple taupe or black. Everything designed to blend in or fade away.
    “I need to go shopping,” I decided. “I want all new clothing.”
    Tom arched a brow.
    I plucked at the skirt of my suit. “I’m tired of dressing like I should be part of the wallpaper. Does that sound stupid?”
    “No, Ella. It does not.”
    I nodded haltingly and went back to staring out the window. “She’ll talk. Sooner or later. I’d rather be the one in control. And … I’m tired. I’m tired of worrying that somebody will find out and I’ll be blindsided. I’m tired of being ashamed. ”
    He reached out then and covered my hand. “You understand this—I know that. But I have to tell you. You did nothing wrong. It was something terrible that happened to you. You were a child, and you did nothing to deserve it or invite it. You have no reason to feel ashamed.”
    “Yes, I know..” Despite the knot in my throat, I managed to smile. I even managed to keep my voice steady as I responded. “I do know. Still, it helps to hear it. Sometimes, what’s up here…,” I tapped my head, then lowered my hand to my heart, “and what’s in