Chapter 38: Chapter 38

My eyes widen in horror and I immediately make eye contact with the guard who's staring directly at Jake an I. His head is cocked to the side, studying us carefully. I glare at him with hatred and watch in disbelief as his lips tug up into a smirk.

Egotistical maniac.

"Are they allowed to do that?" I mumble under my breath, turning back to Jake.

"They can do whatever the hell they want. I've been wanted for years, the guards hate my guts. Anything they can use to pin against me, they will." Jake says, leaning back in his seat, appearing calm over the situation.

He leans back in his chair and places his hands behind his head, groaning in pain. My eyebrows knit together knowing he's in discomfort at the hands of the prison guards. Jake glances at me from under his lashes and releases a small sigh, seeming to read straight into my thoughts —

"Muffin, baby, stop worrying." He attempts to re-assure me.

"How can I Jake? The people who are supposed to protect you are the ones hurting you. This shouldn't be happening." I respond. It reminds me of Trevor, someone else who's job as a parent was to protect but instead, he abused his power.

"They won't touch me again, I can promise you that." Jake responds confidently, keeping his voice low. I tilt my head at his words, wondering what else is going on.

"What's stopping them from doing it again? I question quietly.

"I have people in here," Jake mumbles, leaning forward and placing his arms on the table. A sheepish look washes over his face and I breathe in a sharp intake of breath.

"So . . . A gang?" I ask him quietly and Jake nods, his jaw tensing and his eyes flickering to the floor in guilt. I feel my heart sink, disappointment filling me.

"You were almost killed for leaving a gang and now you've joined another one." I say, my shoulders slumping in defeat. Jake runs a hand over his face before reaching out to take hold of mine. I miss his warmth and hold onto him tightly. When I glance up into his eyes, I breathe in sharply —

"I understand you need to be protected in here. Especially when the guards are so corrupted. I'm not angry Jake, I'm worried." I explain, searching his eyes. He blinks, blue orbs staring back at me.

"It just seems like our entire life is one big messed up circle. Gangs, fights and danger. I don't know how long I can keep it going for Jake, it's breaking me apart. There's not just me it'll effect anymore." I say quietly, my eyes dropping down to my lap.

Minutes of silence pass between us, the faint chatter of others filling the atmosphere. Eventually, Jake speaks.

"Emily, look at me."

His words was firm, demanding. I glance up at him, holding his stare.

"Ever since leaving Amil's gang, I've been on the straight and narrow. I swear it to you." He pleads, eyes widening.

"This situation is completely crazy. I didn't do anything wrong! I know you deserve better Muffin, I've always known it. It kills me seeing you so upset and I hate the way danger follows me everywhere. Don't you think it's been eating me up inside not being near you or the baby? I can't cope with this either Emily, I don't want this life anymore." Jake says desperately. He pauses before adding, his breath shaky and words trembling —

"I want out."

A single tear slips and runs down my cheek at his words and I hastily wipe it away, wanting to hide my broken heart from him and everyone around me. I squeeze his hand tightly, giving him a small smile.

"I want out too," I whisper, swallowing the lump lodged in my throat. Jake watches me with sadness in his eyes before he drops his gaze to the floor, his shoulders tensing up.

"I hate not being able to hold you." He murmurs, his voice growing soft.

"Don't you two love birds make the cutest family?"

My head snaps up to meet Tattoo-neck who's leaning back in his chair, watching us intensely. His green eyes shine brightly, lips turned up into a humorous smirk. Jake glares at him from the corner of his eye —

"Shut up Dodge," Jake warns him, a hint of familiarity and playful-ness in his voice.

"Is this one of your friends?" I ask Jake quietly, motioning at Tattoo-neck. He nods, giving me a small smile —

"Dodge, meet Emily."

The man named Dodge snaps his eyes towards me and briefly studies me, his eyes drifting up and down my body.

"Stop checking me out." I tell him bluntly, my eyebrow raised high. Tattoo-Neck releases a low chuckle and sits up straighter.

"Sorry darling, we don't see many beautiful females like yourself in here."

"Watch it Dodge," Jake warns him, his eyes glaring at tattoo neck. Dodge raises his hands in the air in surrender, bowing his head down so that his dark hair falls over into his eyes.

"My apologies Jake," he responds, the smile never leaving his face. He looks like trouble and I know he's probably involved in Jake's circle of friends in here. I roll my eyes at him before turning back to Jake.

"Please tell me you're going to stay out of trouble?"

Jake nods immediately, holding out his pinky for me to wrap my own around. It instantly makes me smile and I lean over, hooking my pinky around his.

"I promise Muffin."

"Thank you" I whisper quietly, my eyes fixed on his.

"How is Tobias holding up?" I ask, glancing at the clock. I sigh, realising I only have fifteen more minutes left with Jake.

"It's a good thing he's locked up inside here. It gives him a chance to sort his head out without getting into any trouble." Jake says bluntly, the sparkle in his eye disappearing.

"Are we getting a good lawyer?" Jake asks quietly, his eyes dropping to the floor. My heart aches from seeing him locked up in here like a caged animal. Knowing I can't leave here today with his hand in mine breaks my heart.

"The best." I re-assure him, feeling my heart sink. Both of us are terrified to say it but we know without new evidence proving Jake and Tobias' innocence, they're both screwed.

"I'll get out of here Muffin, don't worry," Jake tells me. His voice doesn't sound very confident and I nod grimly, trying to keep his hopes alive.

"Any further news on Ivory?" Jake asks, changing the subject. It's too raw for either of us to talk about it. I shake my head sadly and Jake sighs heavily, tugging at his hair in distress. I know he's struggling to sit around in prison whilst Ivory is out there, possibly needing his help.

"I need to get out of here," he says angrily, pounding his fist on the table. His jaw clenches tightly and I reach forward, taking hold of his hand.

"Melvin, tone it down!" The guard barks in our direction and I immediately turn to glare at him, my eyes burning with hatred.

"Back off, he's calm." I respond. The guard takes a threatening step forward, his eyes locked on mine. I raise my brow at him before scoffing, turning my attention back to Jake.

"The guards an arsehole," I mutter unhappily. Jake lets out a small chuckle, running his thumb over my knuckles lightly.

"You should see the others, he's a piece of cake compared to them." Jake responds dryly, keeping a firm eye on the guard. He's hanging around us like a bad smell, making his presence clear.

"I have something to show you," I say quietly, wanting to leave Jake on a positive note. Lately our lives have been full of negative energy and I want to give him something positive to focus on. I reach inside my pocket, finding the small photograph. Jake waits patiently, watching me carefully. I smooth out the picture before turning it around and placing it on the table.

"It's our baby," I smile, watching as Jake leans forward in awe, his eyes trained on the photo between us. The look on his face is heart warming and I glanced down at the photo with him, wanting to see it for myself.

I suck in a breath as I study the small shape in the centre of the picture. It doesn't quite look like a baby yet but knowing it's our baby makes it so special. Jake's hand reaches out and strokes over the picture, his eyes never blinking once. Both of us inspect it in awe, a comfortable silence settling upon us. The rest of the room blurs out and all that matters right now is our little family.

"She's beautiful," Jake whispers, breaking the silence between us. I frown and glance up at him — "She?"

Jake finally tears his eyes off the picture, a smile permanently etched onto his face. His eyes shine brightly with a new found life and he nods slowly.

"Yes, the baby is a she."

"Why do you think that?" I ask him, full of curiosity. I can't help but mirror Jake's smile, feeling a spark of love for the life growing inside me.

"I have a strong feeling," Jake explains, looking back down at the photo. His fingers brush over it once more lovingly and I feel my eyes well up with tears. I can see the love in his eyes for our child and my heart swells in pride for him. I hold on tightly to both of his hands, leaning forward to close the distance between us. I breathe in his scent, knowing I may not get a chance to for a while. My heart feels like it's crumbling as I search his eyes, desperate for him to be free — "We need to get you out of here Jake.”