Birdy (Upper Echelon Duet Book 1)

One by one, everyone else on our block assumes the same position, questioning—and irate—sleepy eyes bouncing around the room.
Jordan makes a show of clearing his throat and reaches into his pocket. “Seems one of you left this…,” he lifts a powder-filled baggy into the air, “…in the bathroom. Not sure how exactly you little b—”
That obnoxious buzzer rents the air once more, drowning roid boy out in an instant. All attention drifts to the now open gate and the man stalking through. At a first distant glance, it’s clear he’s a CO based on the uniform, but he’s not one I’ve seen here before. Tall, broad shoulders, tree trunks for arms nearly busting the seams of his navy-blue shirt.
Wonderful, another juicer is all I can think to myself. Until he comes closer into view, and my jaw nearly hits the floor.
That face.
That fine-as-hell baby face. Dark hair, dark eyes, cheekbones that promise dimples. Squared jaw—check. Plush lips—check.
Holy fuck.
“CO Bala, right?” Mack questions.
The man tips his dark head. “Yes, sir.”
Mack hums, low enough, I’m sure only Selena and I can hear as he snaps his gloves in place. “I wasn’t aware you’d be coming in today, but nonetheless, welcome. We’re just in the middle of a sweep if you want to wait for us in the office over there.” He points to the bulletproof room a short ways away, an action the new CO follows.
“Do you need some help?”
“Nah, it’s your first day, don’t worry about it. Besides, we have a specific method around here which you’ll likely need to be trained for.”
Bala seems confused but offers Mack another nod. “Sounds good. I’ll head to the office while you finish up.”
“Actually, you know what?” Mack blurts just as he turns on his heel. “Can you keep an eye on them while we finish turning everything out?”
The new CO pivots back around, his expression completely even. “Sure, no problem.”
Mack thanks him silently and strolls out a ways more for everyone to see him. “Ladies, you know the drill. If you have anything in your bunks we should know about, speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
“Now, ladies!” Jordan echoes right behind him. “You’re lucky we didn’t bring the K-9’s in!”
Silence resounds around the block.
I know who that baggy belongs to—we all do—and yet, no one utters a word. They know better. I’ll handle it later.
“He is fine as hell,” Lena whispers in my ear, mirroring my thoughts. “Like, damn, papi.”
Yeah, he is, and he knows it, too. Sees all the little heart eyes popping off around the room.
“Apparently, you’re not the only one who thinks so,” I chuckle.
Lena scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “Oh, please, half of them wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“But you do?” My brow arches.
“You fucking know it. Let me suck him off for five minutes…you’ll see.”
Rolling my eyes, I stifle the laugh bubbling in my throat. Typical crass Selena. She’s worse than me. That girl doesn’t have a single hair on her tongue. She’s blunt, straight to the point, gives absolutely no fucks, and the best part? She’s a loyal bitch. I love her something fierce, would do anything for her.
Not that you could tell right now with how preoccupied I am. It’s kind of stupid, really. I mean, I know I’ve been dick-deprived for years, but I’m staring at this man hella hard.
Hard enough he must feel it because, from one moment to the next, our eyes lock.
I nearly gasp, embarrassed he’s caught me looking, but I hold my ground, keeping myself steady as we stare each other down. My heart thrashes wildly, stomach doing this ludicrous flipping act like a trapeze show at the circus, yet the longer this little match continues, the more intent I become on not backing down first.
He may be the definition of tall, dark, and handsome, but I am not weak.
And if the cocksure, sexy-as-fuck smirk that hikes up one corner of his mouth—and includes dimples—says anything at all, it’s that he knows it, too, and he’s game for the challenge.

♫ MAMACITA - Black Eyed Peas & Ozuna
Goddamn, she’s beautiful.
That’s the first thought that hits me after I catch her looking at me. The immediate second?
Why the fuck is she in here?
She’s still in her sleep shirt, but they’re coordinated to their everyday uniforms. Light blue means she isn’t dangerous and she’s got a job assignment, so what then?
Larceny? Theft? Fraud? Possession? A public order?
I mean, she looks lethal, but she doesn’t look like she belongs in this hell hole.
She looks like she belongs beneath me.
That’s thought number three, one I see reflecting back at me in those velvety chocolate irises from across the way. My grin wides.
Yeah, mami, I see you.
I shouldn’t. She’s an inmate, but damn—look at her. The girl is completely bare-faced, dark hair thrown in a messy bun, rocking an oversized prison sleep shirt, and she still trumps chicks out there who have their freedom.
And she’s staring at me.
Can’t stop while she’s at it, apparently. A fact I like a little too much, which is exactly why I finally break the spell and snap my gaze elsewhere.
She’s too fucking sexy. Those tats on her arms? Fuck me. I’ve never been huge on heavily inked girls, but damn, she’s got me rethinking my whole life right now.
Cell by cell, each one is turned upside down: sleeping mats, sheets, and pillows were thrown out the door in piles. I’ve never seen a sweep like this. I wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s excessive because these girls will hide shit anywhere, but it does seem unethical.
I keep my comments to myself, though, and continue scanning the room from one end to the other. Aside from the rustling caused by my colleagues, it’s virtually silent. The inmates remain in place beside their cells, each of them silent, some with their eyes shut as though they were sleeping.
I glance at my watch. It is early, almost five now. They don’t usually get up until six.
“Eh, Mack, you