Free Isela's Love by Sasha Cain Page B

know, Keeri. You don’t have to say it.”
    She found herself feeling sorry for Keeri, remembering her own experience.
    “With these marks on my legs and ass, how am I supposed to get the new guy’s attention?”
    “Wait, what?”
    “You heard me. Thanks to you, I have to wait to make my move.”
    “Oh. My. God. And here I was feeling sorry for you because Guarros hurt you...and all you’re worried about is whether or not it will prevent you from having sex with someone, a complete stranger? What is wrong with you?”
    “Fresh meat doesn’t come around here that often. You gotta take what you can get.”
    “He’s a criminal, Keeri.”
    “So?”
    “So he could be dangerous.”
    “Around here? I hardly think so.”
    “And what do you think Guarros is going to do when he finds out you’re not exclusively his?”
    “Oh please, Isela. Who are you trying to bullshit? Everyone knows the only one Guarros wants to be exclusively his is you.”
    “I told you—”
    “I know what you told me. Point is he won’t care what I do. And if I miss my chance at the new guy, you’ll be sorry.”
    She turned on her heel and stomped away. Isela sighed, shaking her head, thinking Keeri was even more messed up than she was.
    ****
    Isela woke up to the sound of pounding on her door. She dragged herself out of bed and went to the door. Mae burst in a little frenzied. “What are you doing? Did you oversleep? Get your clothes on or Guarros will have your hide. You’re late, Izzy.”
    Isela shook her head, still fuzzy from sleep. Mae grabbed Isela’s clothes and shoved them into her hands.
    “The sun will be up any minute. You need to move.”
    Isela yanked her pants on, her nightgown off, and the tank top over her head.
    “I don’t know how I overslept. I never do that.”
    “As long as you get down to the kitchen, no one has to know.”
    They peeked out Isela’s door, making sure the coast was clear, before darting out the door.
    Luckily, they made it to the kitchen unnoticed. They slipped through the side door, bustling around with everyone else.
    Isela hurriedly mixed ingredients together in order to get breakfast ready on time. Mae shot her a look as she slopped batter over the side of the bowl.
    “Be careful, Isela,” she warned. “Otherwise you’ll get put on cleanup.”
    Isela took a breath. Mae handed her a rag so she could wipe up her mess before the supervisor saw it. Unfortunately, she wasn’t fast enough.
    “Isela!” she bellowed. “Step forward.”
    Isela stopped mixing. She stepped away from the bowl, turning around to face the gruff voice. The supervisor was a stern, churlish woman, probably in her sixties. She demanded perfection, tolerating no mistakes.
    “Yes, ma’am?” Isela asked.
    The woman looked behind Isela at the spill on the counter. She shook her head, pursing her lips. “What do you call that?” she asked.
    Before Isela could answer she moved within inches of Isela’s face. “Sloppy, that’s what. Apparently someone needs a reminder of how to keep things neat and tidy around here.”
    “No...I—”
    “Oh, and now she wants to argue. I don’t think so. You will finish your duties preparing breakfast. Then instead of having yours, you will stay for cleanup as well. Am I clear?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Good.” She smirked. “I’d hate to have to go to the warden with this.”
    “You won’t, ma’am.”
    The supervisor dismissed her with a wave of her hand. Isela returned to her bowl and began mixing again.
    “I’ll stay and help you,” Mae offered.
    Shaking her head, Isela sighed. “No, Mae. Thanks, but I’m okay. You go eat.” She grinned at her friend. “Just save me something, huh?”
    Mae nodded.
    As soon as everyone had been fed, the cleaning crew came in. Isela had already started gathering dishes. A group of inmate women gathered at the door, whispering and giggling.
    “He’s so cute,” one of them said.
    “He’s adorable,” chimed in another.
    “And