Free Fire Hazard: Cape High Book Eight (Cape High Series 8) by R.J. Ross Page A

live through this and get back home," I say.  "Regardless of what happens, do you really think the group that sends their favorites halfway across the country are going to let me stay?" I add, a little twitch pulling at my lips.
    "You only hope for things you know are going to happen, you mean.  That's not what hope is, Vin."
    "It's the type of hope that works for me," I say flatly before heading out the door.
     
    ***
     
    There would be no surprise if people found out that Ken has access to most of the prisons in states all over the country.  Of course the fact that he's “affiliated with” America's Son might help--but those wardens that he's grown to know over the years know him as “the preacher.” It's why he's gotten all the paperwork and information necessary to meet Vinny's father so quickly.
    "Ken," Warden Blue says, offering a hand.  Ken shakes it, smiling at the shorter man.  "Good to see you, son.  I'm a bit surprised that you came for just one of our boys today."
    "I'll get in touch for a sermon, later," Ken says.  "This one is related to a teen I'm helping through a rough time."
    He's wearing a dress shirt, tie, and a pair of slacks along with dress shoes.  He reaches up and tugs at the tie, making a slight face.  Even if it is part of his "other uniform," he still isn't fond of it.  He ignores that fact and follows Blue down the hall to a simple room with a table and two chairs on either side.  A pair of guards stand to the side, nodding slightly as Ken greets them. He sits down in one of the small chairs, waiting patiently as they bring in Antonio Accardi.  He's a good looking man, Ken thinks.  Vinny looks a lot like him.  Ken stands, holding out a hand to shake with the chained man and then motions for him to sit down before doing the same.
    "I was a bit surprised," Antonio says, "I've got a preacher that already comes and talks to me.  I didn't expect a new one to want to."
    "I'm actually here for a different reason," Ken says.  "Your son is a ward of the Hall.  I work with them.  I've been spending some time with Vinny."
    There's a hint of worry on Antonio's face.  "Is there something wrong with my son?" he asks.
    “Antonio--”
    “Tony, please,” Tony says.
    “Tony--your son’s mother, who was she?” Ken asks quietly, leaning forward.  He sees Tony hesitate and wonders if he’s going to lie.  It’s what Nico said Vinny expected.
    “Her name was Pamela.  Pamela Stokes.”
     
    ***
     
    I pull to a stop next to the smoothie shop, flipping the glowing red lights off before turning my bike off.  I see Speed, first.  He’s sitting at the same picnic table that I’d been sitting at earlier.  He’s talking with a group of guys dressed a lot like me--mostly all black clothes.  This group has glow-sticks hanging from their necks.  In the late daylight they take on an eerie glow.
    I kick the kickstand down and get off, heading for the group.  I’m curious about the glow-sticks, honestly.  They seem almost... familiar.  They glow orange, a lot like Jimena’s eyes, I think.
    “So you actually came,” Speed says.  He looks confident, and slightly demonic in the dim light.  His grin stretches across his face.  “Welcome to the gang, Pyro.  Give him a stick,” he orders the guy next to him.
    “He doesn’t need one,” Tank snaps.
    “Give him one, anyway,” Speed says.  I blink as an empty tube is handed to me, one that dangles on a thin black cord.  “You’ve got to try this, man, it’s like nothing you’ve ever done.”
    I look at the tube for a little while longer before slipping the cord over my neck.  I look around, seeing Jimena sitting underneath a tree several feet away.  She doesn’t look happy.  She’s staring at the screen of her cellphone--I blink as I see her wipe a tear away, wondering what she’s reading.  It’s probably some stupid romance book.  “Hey!” Speed yells at her.  “Get over here, Jimmi!  Charge up the new