Giovanni

by Dominique Butler

  “Morning, Camille," said Darrel.

  I put my bag on the conveyer belt. "Good Morning, D. Where's Tisha," I ask.

  While he's checking my bag, "She on Block A today," D tells me, handing me my bag.

  "Have a good day," I tell D before I walk to the elevator.

  As I'm waiting for the elevator when Mike comes beside me, “Morning," he says, looking at me. "Morning," I replied with no emotion. The elevator opens, letting off a few people, then we get on. "Camille," Mike says.

  I turn to him, seeing that he has a look of despair on his face. "Yes, Mike," I say.

  "I hope what you saw yesterday didn't put us in an awkward position," he says.

  Does he really think that he and Amy would make me feel some type of way?

  "It doesn't. It just makes me see that you'll mess with anyone," I tell him walking out of the elevator. I made it to my office with no interference from any of my coworkers. I drop my bag in my bottom drawer of the desk then turned my computer on. While looking through my email, I see that in the next month, I have two inmates being brought to the council to see if they are eligible for parole. For me, that's a lot of paperwork for me to do the next month I pull out the files on the two inmates looking over them to see who I need to talk with. After spending the last two hours in the office, I grab all the information I needed then go see Sean and Matt both located on Block A.

  I walk out of my office to see Amy strutting around like she the queen. I continue to the elevator paying her no mind.

  “Camille," I hear her high pitched voice call me.

  Damn, she just doesn't get the hint, I thought. "Yes, Amy," I say, waiting for the elevator.

  "Guess who is Ricci’s CO is," she asked.

  I put my finger on my lip, pretending to think about, "I don't know James maybe," I say.

  “No, it's me," she yells damn near blowing out my eardrums.

  "Congrats Amy," I tell her getting on the elevator pressing the button to the fifth floor.

  Good, it's her dimwitted self the Feds ain't gonna get any type of information from her unless it's about her trying to seduce him, I thought.

  I get off the elevator walking straight to the gate to see Tisha standing by it. “Hey, girl," I say.

  “Hey," she says back.

  "Why didn't you tell me that you were gonna be up here today," I ask her. "Girl, I didn't even know until James told me this morning talking about he needs more men at the front door," said Tisha.

  I shake my head. “You know James has a thing for you," I tell her. She scoffs at me then opens the gate, letting me in.

  “Are you grabbing us food today," I ask.

  “Yeah, what you want," ask Tisha.

  "A salad," I say. She makes a funny face at me.

  “Mrs. Lilly is cooking me for dinner tonight and making that chocolate cake," I tell Tisha.

  “Bring me a piece tomorrow," she tells me.

  “I will," I tell her, walking down the hall.

  I walk farther into Block A to see that most of the inmates are out of their cells talking amongst each other. I look around the room, spotting Matt sitting at a table by the windows with a few men. I walk over to the table to see them playing cards. “Matt," I say when I reached the table. He looks up from his hand and says, “Yes, Officer Smith," he said.

  “We have to talk,” I tell him.

  “Well, gentlemen, I have to see what the lady needs. I'll play with you guys later," said Matt placing his cards on the table. We walk out of the room, going to the office on the side. I put the files on the desk. “Have a seat," I tell him while taking a seat also.

  " You know that you have a hearing in a month," I ask he shakes his head," so the council will be looking at your behavior for the time you've been here and what type things you did to better yourself," I tell him. Matt just shakes his not replying.

  “From me looking at everything as long as you don't get in trouble by the 20th of next month, you should be going home," I say.

  Matt looks at me with a smile on his face, “thank you," he tells me, getting up.

  “You’re welcome. I'll talk to you in two weeks," I tell him. Matt and I walk back to the living quarts. I look around, not seeing Sean. I leave going outside to see if he out there. I walk out to the yard to see men playing basketball, weightlifting and talking in huddles. I stop to see Sean talking to one of the sexiest white boys I had ever seen. He had to be like 6 foot, average body type, black hair, and dark brown eyes.

  Shit! If he wasn't locked up, he could get it, I thought while walking in their direction.

  “Sean," I say, making both men look at me.

  “Officer Smith," he says.

  “We need to talk," I tell him. Sean turns to the other man then start speaking another language shake his hand

  “Ready, " he said, we started walking towards the building. I look back before we enter the building to see sexy looking at me I turn around fast heading inside.

  Chapter 3

  Sean and I went to an empty room near the yard. “Sean, in the next month, you'll be seen by the council to see if your eligible for parole," I tell him. There was no response or head movement, so I continued, “The council will look at the things that you did while here then determine if you can be on parole or finish your sentencing," I say. Sean still didn't reply or say nothing, so I asked, “Are there any questions?"

  "No," he said, then got up and left the room.

  Most inmates are happy that they can go home on parole, I thought, collecting my files. Looking at the time seeing that it is 11 AM. It’s almost time for lunch. I get to my office, dropping the files on my desk then turning my computer on, starting on some paperwork. I break out of my concentration when ‘that's my best’ started playing, letting me know that Tisha is either calling or texting me. I grab my phone out of my pocket, seeing that she's texting me asking where I'm at; I replied I'm about to leave my office. I save all my work on the computer, put my files up then leave my office seeing two white men I never saw before walking past me. I continue to the elevator minding my business when I see one of Amy's lackeys waiting for the elevator.

  “Hey Camilla," Lindsay said.

  “Hey Lindsay," I say in a dull tone, so she doesn't talk to me.

  “You heard that Amy got the fed case," Lindsay said.

  I guess that didn't work. “Yes, I did. I told her congrats when she told me.” The elevator doors opened, and I hop right on with her. The ride was silent until Mike got on.

  "Hey, ladies," he said.

  "Hey," I replied dryly.

  "Hey, Mike. You see, Amy?" said Lindsay tryna be extra.

  Mike looks at her for a minute than me, “No I haven't," he said when the elevator opens we get out heading to the lounge.

  I walk into the lounge finding Tisha sitting at a table by herself as I walk over to the table, seeing her texting on her phone. "Who are you texting?" I ask while grabbing the bag in front of her.

  “If you must know, I have another date this weekend," she said, all happy.

  "Go, girl. Don't be putting out the goods yet," I tell her.

  She looks at with an eyebrow raised. “He won't be getting any goods until he starts spending some real money on me," Tisha said while she eats some fries I just laugh at her. This girl is a trip.

  "Where are you two going this weekend?" I ask

  “I don't know. He wants it to be a surprise," Tisha says.

  When I'm about to say something, the alarm goes off. Tisha's walkie-talkies go off: "We have a Code 2. Two prisoners on Block A." Tisha jumps right up and runs out the room with me following her. We run up three flights of steps when I made it to Block A. I'm out of breath and sweating like a sinner in church. I caught my breath then start speed walking down the hall to see Sean being held by a guard against the wall and the other inmate lying on the floor. I walk over to the guard holding Sean. "Take him into the office by the elevators," I tell the guard holding Sean. He nods his head then dr
ags Sean away. I look around at the chaos that happened while looking around, I see the sexy white man standing in the corner staring at the inmate on the floor. His gaze turns to me like he knew I was looking at him. We stare at each other for a few minutes until James yells: "Lockdown!" All the inmates rushed to their cell before they get sent to the hole I walk out of the living quarters heading to the office.

  I enter the office to see the guard standing by the door and Sean sitting in the chair by the desk. "Give us a minute," I tell the guard.

  "I'll be outside the door," he tells me then walks out of the room. "What the fuck was that Sean?" I yell. He just shrugs his shoulders, having no care in the world. "Really, you were almost out of here. Now you're gonna have to finish the next ten months," I tell him.

  Sean just shakes his head. “Officer Smith, I had to do what needed to be done," he tells me.

  “Well, I hope that it was worth it," I say, looking him up and down to see a little bit of blood on his arm. "Are you hurt," I ask.

  Sean looks at his arm, "That's just a little cut I'll be alright," he said, getting up and leaving the room. I just shake my head. What could make a man ruin his chance of freedom? I thought while going to my office. I get on my office spending the rest of my day doing paperwork. I look at my phone, seeing it's time to leave I turn off my computer off, put the files away and grab my bag. I walk out of the building feeling drained: I stroll to my car, throwing my purse in my car driving to my apartment.

  I park my car, grabbing my bag, unlocking the door going straight to my apartment. I open my door to hear Star meowing. I put my keys on the hall table then bend down to pick her up. I carry her into the living room, where I drop down on the couch. "How was your day?" I ask, just getting meows in response. I sit there for a few minutes before getting up to go in my room to change my clothes into a short-sleeved blue shirt, black leggings, and black flip-flops. I grab my key then headed out the door; I walk two doors down, knocking on Mrs. Lilly's door.

  Mrs. Lily opens the door, "Hey sugar," she said to me.

  "Hey, Mrs. Lilly," I say, walking into her apartment, smelling something delicious. "Mrs. Lilly, what are you cooking, "I ask.

  “I’m making lasagna with breadsticks and that chocolate cake you like," she tells me, making my stomach instantly start rumbling.

  "You need help with anything," I ask.

  "No, the lasagna is done. I'm just waiting for the breadsticks then we could eat," Mrs. Lilly said while I grab two plates, forks, and cups placing them on the dining room table.

  “What do you want to drink," I asked Mrs. Lilly.

  "Grab the wine in the refrigerator," she tells me. I put it on the table. The nights that I spend with Mrs. Lilly were always nice. We talk about our day or anything that happened interesting to us. She’s like the grandma that I all ways wanted. After eating dinner, we wash the dishes together then she sends me home with the leftovers.

  I stroll into work dreading talking to James about what happened with Sean yesterday. "Morning, Camille," said Darrell.

  "Morning D,” I say back, waiting for my purse to be given to me.

  D hands me my purse, "Between me and you, some of the inmates are saying that Sean is working for Ricci. So it was job yesterday, “said D.

  I shake my head. "Thanks," I tell him then walk to the elevator in deep thought about this Ricci guy. I get off on my floor to see James. "Camille," he calls me.

  Damn. What does he want this early? I thought. "Yes," I said while still walking to my office, he follows me in my office then shuts the door. "What's going on," I ask him.

  "Well, we got some information about what happened yesterday, and the feds want to talk to you," said James.

  I look at him shaking my head. “What time do they want to see me," I ask.

  "At 9 o'clock in my office," said James.

  "Okay, I'll be up there," I said. James leaves my office. I sit in my chair think this is the second person this morning talking about what happened yesterday to me. I turn my computer on finishing some paperwork from yesterday.

  8:45 hit I got up and headed to James' office. I got to the elevator to see Amy there. "Hey Camille," she says.

  "Hey Amy," I say while we wait for the elevator in silence. We both get on the elevator.

  "You know why James was down here," Amy asked.

  I turn to her nosy ass to tell her, “He wanted to talk about Sean,” I said.

  I get off the elevator walking to James’ office, I knock on the door."Come in," I heard James’ voice say as I open the door seeing two white men from yesterday in suits, one standing by the window and the other in front of James' desk.

  “Hey, Miss. Smith, I'm agent Conner, and this is agent Jackson" said the man in front of James’ desk.

  "Hi. Why am I up here," I ask.

  "Well, Miss. Smith, we heard from an inmate that Sean is working for Ricci, and what he did yesterday was a job," Jackson said.

  “Okay, what does that have to do with me," I ask.

  “We were wondering if you can talk to Sean about Ricci," Conner said.

  Do they think I'm stupid or something? I thought. “I’m not getting involved with no mafia stuff now you can ask him, but I'm not," I tell them.

  “You are Sean's CO, so it won't look out of character for you to ask him," Jackson said.

  I look in his direction, " ain't Amy Ricci's CO, have her ask Ricci if he knows Sean," I tell Jackson. These white motherfucker tryna get me killed, I thought.

  "Look, I got work to do," I tell them, walking towards the door.

  "Miss. Smith, we can give you compensation for your time," Conner said.

  “Let’s understand something no amount of money that you can give me will make me jeopardize putting my life in danger," I tell them, walking out the door.

  I go straight to my office and start working to stop myself from thinking about that stupid shit. They just ask me in the office. I worked till lunch and stayed in my office eating when there was a knock on my door.

  "Come in," I say. Tisha walks in.

  “So you weren't gonna tell me you weren't coming down," Tisha said.

  “Sorry, I had a weird morning," I tell her.

  “Tell me what happened," Tisha said, taking a seat.

  I turned on some music then went in my drawer pulling out the cake

  “I knew you didn't forget about me," Tisha said I just laugh at this girl.

  “I need you not to tell anyone I told you this," I say to Tisha

  “I got you," she said

  “So everyone's been telling me that Sean works for Ricci and what he did yesterday was like a hit," I said. Tisha stops eating her food and looks at me “you mean as a mafia hit," she said.

  "Yes," I tell her.

  "Damn, that's crazy," she said.

  “Oh, that's not crazy; the FBI wanting me to ask Sean to snitch is crazy," I say.

  "What?" Tisha said. I just shook my head.

  "Do they not know where you're from?" Tisha said.

  "I'm guessing not since they offered me money," I said.

  "They must be desperate," she said, we finished eating our food.

  "Girl, it has been nothing but drama for you all week. Are we getting drinks this weekend," Tisha said.

  “Thanks, girls that have me looking forward to the weekend," I tell her. Tisha leaves. I turn the music off, cleaning up the mess that we made.

  I got back on the computer, I received an email I check to see that I got a new inmate added. I wrote the name down then headed to Lindsey's office. I knock on her door. "Yes," she looks up.

  "I need the file on Tony Rossi," I tell her.

  “Okay," she says she gets up walking to the file cabinet searching for a few minutes then handing me the file

  “Thanks," I say, then I walk back to my office. I look through Tony's file to see that he's here on getting caught with some coke doing time for a year and a half. This is his second charge. The first was that he was in possession
of a gun with no license to carry did 2 months.

  I see that he's on block A and then I look to see that it's only 12:30. I can talk to him for a few, then come back and put his paperwork in, I thought. I grab his file and walk to my door, but I stop hearing somebody talking outside my door. "Do you think that she'll work for the feds," said a male voice. "Don't know. She's been in her office most of the day," said a female voice I wait to hear more but, someone knocks on my door. I open it to see James and Amy.

  “How can I help you," I say

  "I just wanted a few minutes of your time," James said.

  “Well, I have to go see about an inmate we can talk when I get back," I tell them.

  “Just come to my office when you're done," said James, then they left my office. I went back to my desk, locking all my drawers and making sure I log off my computer then leave going to block A. I reach the floor see Kevin.

  “Hey, Kevin," I said.

  "Hey Camille," Kevin said.

  "Can you bring Tony Rossi to the conference room," I ask. He shakes his head, then left my side. I walk out of the living quarters going to the conference room. I enter the room seeing the sexy white man sitting behind the desk.

  “Hey, love," he said in the sexiest husky voice.

  Chapter 4

  “Hey," I said, looking him up and down, making my panties wet.

  “Miss. Camille Smith, you know that your name is Italian," he says while I’m walking in front of the desk folding my arms under my breast.

  “No, but what brought on this meeting today," I ask as he laughs at me.

  "You're very straightforward about things I can tell," he said, getting out the chair walking around the desk. Every step he took towards me, I took a step back until I hit the wall. He grabs both my hands, pinning them over my head. I tried kicking him, but he positioned himself inside of my legs then looks me in the face. “I know the feds want you to get Sean to rat on me, and they want you to be my new CO since I refuse to see the redhead chick," he said.

  “Mr. Ricci what do I get from following these orders," I asked as he licks his lips then bends his head to my ear.

  “If you don't follow these orders, my love, then I'll have you in the hole with me while I beat you into submission," he said. Making me shiver then he looks me in the eyes, I see a darkness in his eyes making me rethink about being attracted to him. He releases my hands then walks to the door. “Remember to go to James’ office by the end of the day," Giovanni said before leaving out the room. I stand there stunned about what he told me and the way he made me feel.